# ![](media/image1.png) 

#  

##### Summer Edition 2006

Jody McCullough

Transportation Planner, FHWA Office of Planning

Co-Editor

Ben Williams

Metropolitan Planning Specialist, FHWA Resource Center

Co-Editor

There are a lot of activities this quarter focused on implementing the
new SAFETEA-LU provisions. We are pleased to be able to share these with
you. We hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to comment to
the docket on the recently released NPRM.

**SAFETEA-LU Planning Impacts 1**

**Public Out Reach 1**

**Planning Guidance 2**

**Environmental Guidance 2**

**Safety Planning 2**

##### HPMS Reassessment 2

**Tribal Planning 2**

**Environmental Streamlining 2**

**Trails Surface Study 3**

**Air Quality Newsletter 3**

**Texas Freight Planning 3**

**TMIP Peer Reviews 3**

**Environmental Excellence Awards 4**

**Scenic Byway Awards 4**

**Excellence in Right of Way Award 4**

**Transportation Planning Excellence Awards 4**

**Let's Talk Planning 4**

**Highway Statistics 4**

**Eminent Domain & Federal Funds 4**

**Visualization 5**

**New Office of Planning Staff 5**

**California Planning Conference 6**

**Traffic Data for Pavement Design 6**

**New Resource Center Staff 6**

**FY 2007 Planning Menu 6**

##### Trails Awards 7

##### Scheduled Training Opportunities 7 

**Calendar of Events 8**

##### 

**Planning Notice of Proposed Rulemaking**

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on statewide and metropolitan
transportation planning and programming and congestion management
processes/systems was published in the June 9, 2006, Federal Register. 
Here are links to the TEXT and PDF versions of the NPRM:\
\[TEXT\]
\<<http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/06-5145.htm>\> \
\[PDF\]
\<<http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-5145.pdf>\> \
 \
This joint NPRM reflects the recent enactment of the Safe, Accountable,
Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users
(SAFETEA-LU) (Public Law 109-59, August 10, 2005), as well as
incorporates changes initiated in its predecessor legislation, the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Public Law 105-178, June
9, 1998). 

Public Outreach

FHWA/FTA are planning to provide an overview of the planning NPRM via
satellite broadcast from the Center for Transportation and the
Environment (North Carolina State University) on July 13, 2006. More
information on this broadcast is available at
<http://cte.ncsu.edu/CTE/TechTransfer/Teleconferences/>. In addition,
FTA will be holding six NPRM overview sessions around the country
between mid-July and mid-August 2006.

7/19/2006 Atlanta,GA at the Atlanta Federal Center

7/21/2006 New York, NY at 1 Bowling Green

7/24/2006 Kansas City, MO at the Radisson Hotel

8/1/2006 San Francisco, CA at the MTC Auditorium

8/7/2006 Chicago, IL at Chicago Public Library

8/9/2006 Boston, MA at the Volpe Center

Additional information on these sessions soon will be published in the
Federal Register or you may contact Theresa Perrone 617-494-1344.

We encourage interested partners and stakeholders to carefully review
the NPRM and consider providing comments to the official docket.
Instructions for submitting comments may be found in the NPRM.

In addition for FHWA staff only there is a web conference on June 29,
2006. Sign up through NHI.

##### SAFETEA-LU Planning Provisions Guidance

Additional **FHWA/FTA Guidance on Implementing SAFETEA-LU Planning
Provisions**:  On May 2, 2006, FHWA and FTA issued additional
\"clarifying information/guidance\" to the FHWA/FTA field offices on
the July 1, 2007 date established in Sections 3006 and 6001 of the
SAFETEA-LU for implementing the SAFETEA-LU planning provisions in
metropolitan and statewide transportation plans and programs.  This
joint memorandum is available at: 
<http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/plandeadline.htm> .

**SAFETEA-LU Environmental Provisions Guidance**

The proposed guidance on the application of section 6002 of the
SAFETEA-LU to projects funded by the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA) or the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is expected to be
published in the Federal Register later in June 2006. SAFETEA-LU section
6002 adds requirements and refinements to the environmental review
process for highway and public transportation capital projects. The
guidance describes how FTA and FHWA propose to implement the new
requirements within the environmental review process required by NEPA
and other Federal laws. FTA and FHWA request public comments on this
proposed guidance.

The U.S. Department of Transportation / Federal Highway Administration
awarded the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center
(HSRC) \$6 million over five years to establish the National Safe Routes
to School (SRTS) Clearinghouse. See <http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/> for
more information.

In light of the recent authorization of SAFETEA-LU and the changing
business needs of both internal and external customers, the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Highway Policy Information is
conducting a reassessment of the Highway Performance Monitoring System
(HPMS). Four regional outreach meetings were recently held in Hartford,
CT., Atlanta, GA., Portland, OR. and Lincoln, NE. seeking comments and
input on meeting the Reassessment Objectives. A series of webinars are
scheduled between July and August to discuss specific issues:

7/6 Pavements, 7/11 Linear Reference Systems/ data Integration, 7/13
Capacity, 7/18 Freight, 7/20 Interchanges, 7/25 Process Improvements,
7/27 Safety, 8/1 Boundaries, 8/3 Data Quality, and 8/8 Sampling.

These seminars are open to FHWA staff, State DOTs and MPOs. For more
information contact David Winter at 202-366-4631,
<david.winter@fhwa.dot.gov> or

[![](media/image2.wmf){width="0.75in"
height="0.6076388888888888in"}http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/ohpi/hpms/hpmsreassessment.cfm](http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/ohpi/hpms/hpmsreassessment.cfm)
.

**Case studies showcase consultation practices between tribes,
States/MPOs in transportation planning process:**

New case studies are now posted and available from the FHWA Tribal
Transportation Planning website at
[http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/tribaltrans/ttpcs/index.htm]{.underline},
These case studies highlight a range of practices to advance
consultation with Tribal governments and agencies in statewide and
metropolitan transportation planning and programming. These case studies
describe current practices, the outcomes of these approaches, and
lessons learned. For further information on these Tribal transportation
planning case studies, please contact Robin Mayhew at (360) 753-9416 or
Ken Petty at (202) 366-6654.

A Peer Exchange called the **\"Environmental Geospatial Information for
Transportation: An Exchange for the Mid-Atlantic Region\"** was held on
May 3 - 4, 2006 in Washington, D.C. More than 90 representatives from
State and Federal transportation and resource agencies, MPOs,
consultants, and non-governmental organizations attended the FHWA and
TRB sponsored workshop. In addition to the Mid-Atlantic region
attendees, the States of Florida, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Illinois,
Ohio, and Texas joined their colleagues for an interdisciplinary
exchange. The presentations included successful GIS data sharing
collaborations for environmental GIS applications used in
transportation, and common approaches and issues. Recommendations were
made for better-integrated data systems, better data for decisionmaking,
SAFETEA-LU and data implications, and growing and maintaining a
community of practice. 

Colorado DOT is hosting the **5^th^ National CIA Workshop**: "Urban
Areas in Transition," July 31-August 3 at downtown Denver's Adam Mark
Hotel. The event website,
<http://www.dot.state.co.us/environmental/Workshop/CIAworkshop.asp>,
provides a wealth of information---a tentative agenda, registration
information, and local-area information. For more information, contact
the event organizer Yates Oppermann by email at
<Francis.Oppermann@dot.state.co.us> or at 303-757-9497.

FHWA's "**How to Engage Low-Literacy and Limited-English-Proficiency
Populations in Transportation Decisionmaking**," that appeared on the
web in late February (<http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/lowlim/index.htm>) is
now available in hard copy in limited quantities. Email your request to
Brenda Kragh at <brenda.kragh@dot.gov>, providing a complete mailing
address.

FHWA's Community Impact, Public Involvement, and Nondiscrimination
specialist, Brenda Kragh, is creating a Practitioner Network of
transportation professionals for the purpose of information sharing with
and among transportation professionals, especially items pertaining to
the human environment. The Practitioner Network is open to anyone
interested in transportation planning and/or project development---MPOs,
RPOs, consultants, academics, interest groups, transportation partner
agencies, etc. as well as FHWA and DOT practitioners. Brenda will
periodically send out "FYI" emails to the network with information that
crosses her desk. If network members want to ask (anonymously or not)
relevant questions of the larger group, Brenda can do this as well. To
sign up for the Practitioner Network, send your name, title, complete
mailing address, complete location address (if the mailing address is a
PO Box), phone number, fax number (optional), and email address to
<brenda.kragh@dot.gov>. Zip codes are required.

# National Trails Surface Study

The National Center on Accessibility (NCA), a collaborative program of
Indiana University and the National Park Service, is studying the
effectiveness of various types of trails surfaces that are accessible
for individuals with disabilities. NCA is seeking agencies planning to
construct or alter existing pedestrian trails to consider participating
in this national undertaking. Please visit the NCA trails study website
at http://ncaonline.org/trails/research/.

**\"It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air\"** **Spring Newsletter**: The spring
2006 newsletter
http://www.italladdsup.gov/newsletter/spring06/index.html from \"It All
Adds Up to Cleaner Air,\" the Federal Highway Administration\'s air
quality education and outreach initiative, is now available to give
transportation and air quality organizations a variety of useful tips,
new information, and advice that they can use in their spring air
quality outreach campaigns. The newsletter contains an \"Ask the
Experts\" Q&A feature that explores how voluntary outreach programs can
be used to secure federal funding and obtain transportation conformity
credits; a profile detailing a successful air quality program in Tulsa,
Oklahoma; a line-up of air quality events and observances taking place
around the country this spring; tips and resources for delivering air
quality education to Spanish-speaking populations; and much more. For
additional information, please contact Kathy Daniel, 202-366-6276.
[www.italladdsup.gov](http://www.italladdsup.gov/)

![](media/image3.png){width="0.875in" height="0.6381944444444444in"}

\"

**State of Texas- Development of Freight Performance Measures for Major
Interstate Corridors and Border Crossings**

The FHWA HQ\'s Office of Freight Management is developing freight
performance measures for major freight-significant Interstate corridors
and several international U.S./Canada border crossings. Data collected
from commercial vehicles equipped with tracking and communications
technologies are used to derive measures of speed and reliability along
freight-significant corridors and wait-time measures at border
crossings.

As part of this national freight performance measure initiative, the
FHWA HQ\'s Office of Freight Management and Operations (HOFM) held a
1/2-day Freight Performance Measures workshop in Austin, Texas on Friday
May 12^th^. Among the freight performance measures discussed was a
TxDOT/CTR Study (Report No. 0-5410) \"Determining Freight Highway
Corridor Performance Strategies in Texas\" to be completed in the Summer
of 2006. In addition to Texas six other State DOTs will be participating
in the effort, Colorado, Missouri, Maryland, Florida, Washington and
Indiana. These States were selected by the FHWA HQ\'s Office of Freight
Management in April 2006 in order to participate as a case study state
for purposes of advancing freight performance measures into the State
and local planning process. For additional information, please contact
Kirk Fauver, FHWA Texas Division Office, <kirk.fauver@fhwa.dot.gov> or

Crystal Jones, FHWA HQ's Office of Freight Management,
<crystal.jones@fhwa.dot.gov> .

##### TMIP Peer Reviews 

Travel Model Peer Reviews: FHWA's Travel Model Improvement Program is
now taking applications for assistance with convening and documenting
peer reviews of travel models. For more information, see
<http://tmip.fhwa.dot.gov/services/#peer_review_program> or contact
Brian Gardner at <brian.gardner@dot.gov>.

##### TRANSIMS Deployment

##### 

##### As directed by Title V of SAFETEA-LU, FHWA will begin providing funding to support TRANSIMS deployment this year via a broad agency announcement. To view the draft solicitation, see [**http://fs1.fbo.gov/EPSData/DOT/Synopses/30/DTFH61-06-R-00042/TRAMSIMSBAAStatementofObjective.pdf**](http://fs1.fbo.gov/EPSData/DOT/Synopses/30/DTFH61-06-R-00042/TRAMSIMSBAAStatementofObjective.pdf) . Multiple awards are anticipated by the end of the fiscal year. For more information on TRANSIMS, see [**http://tmip.fhwa.dot.gov/transims/**](http://tmip.fhwa.dot.gov/transims/) or contact Fred Ducca at fred.ducca@dot.gov.

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="0.75in" height="0.6041666666666666in"}FHWA
announced the call for entries for the biennial **Environmental
Excellence Awards** Program: see
[www.fhwa-ee-awards.com/](http://www.fhwa-ee-awards.com/) . This program
recognizes contributions to the outstanding work being done in the
transportation field while enhancing the environment. For more
information, please contact Patricia Cazenas at 202-366-4085, or at
patricia.cazenas@dot.gov. Entries must be submitted electronically by
August 15, 2006.

![](media/image5.png){width="0.5402777777777777in"
height="0.6513888888888889in"}

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO), in cooperation with the America's Byways® Resource Center and
the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), announced a call for
applications for the biennial **2007 Scenic Byway Awards**. See
<http://www.transportation.org/news/38.aspx> . The Scenic Byway Awards
seek to showcase projects of excellence, recognize outstanding byway
leaders, and share with the byway community successful models that other
byways can adapt for their own corridor. *The deadline for all
applications is July 17, 2006.*

**FHWA's 2006 Excellence in Right of Way Awards**

The Excellence in Right-of-Way Awards is a biennial awards program
developed by the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Office of Real
Estate Services. The program honors those who excel in streamlining or
improving the real property acquisition process while ensuring that
property owners' and tenants' rights are protected. FHWA Executive
Director, Bud Wright, presented the 2006 Awards at the FHWA / AASHTO
Right-of-Way and Utilities Subcommittee Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD.
Award winners included the Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, South Carolina,
and Utah Departments of Transportation. Additional winners were the
Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project, Mr. Robert Macpherson of Caltrans, and
Ms. Mickie McJunkin of Georgia DOT. For descriptions of the winning
projects, visit the Awards Website at
[\<http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/rowea06/\>]{.underline}

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="3.4722222222222223in"
height="0.8333333333333334in"}

######## FHWA & FTA and APA have announced the results of the 2006 Transportation Planning Excellence Awards Program. We received over 100 nominations for rewards, which were reviewed by an independent panel of judges. Awards were granted to projects, processes, or groups that have made outstanding contributions to the field of transportation planning. Awards will be presented at the TRB\'s Joint Summer Meeting of the Planning, Data, Finance, Administration, Freight and Management Committees on July 9, 2006. Additional information on the 2006 FHWA/FTA Transportation Planning Excellence Awards Program will be posted at: www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/tpea . For additional information, please contact Jody McCullough at 202-366-2825 or via email at <jody.mccullough@fhwa.dot.gov> 

##### 

##### Let's Talk Planning

A "Let's Talk Planning" videoconference was held June 8, 2006 on
Strategic Highway Safety Plans. For copies of the discussion contact
Jocelyn Jones <Jocelyn.jones@fhwa.dot.gov>. The future dates for the
series will be 9/14/2006 and 12/ 14/2006. Topics for these sessions have
not been selected. If you have suggestions, please send them to Jocelyn
Jones <Jocelyn.jones@fhwa.dot.gov> 410-962-2486 or Jody McCullough
<jody.mccullough@dot.gov> . 202-366-2825.

**Highway Statistics Report Released**

FHWA has posted the Highway Statistics Report of 2004 data. It is
available on the web at
<http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/ohim/hs04/index.htm> . The printed
versions were distributed in March 2006.

# Eminent Domain - Implications to Federal Funds 

The FHWA's Office of Real Estate Services issued a Guidance Memo on
Section 726 of the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban
Development, the Judiciary, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act,
2006 (P.L. 109-115, div. A). Section 726 specifies certain conditions
under which Federal Highway Administration funds may not be used for
Federal, State or local projects. This language pertains to projects
that will use FY 2006 funds**.** A copy of the guidance is available at
[www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/emdomguid.htm](http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/emdomguid.htm).

A discussion of potential implications to federal funds for projects
using eminent domain was included in the 2006 AASHTO / FHWA Right of Way
and Utilities Conference. The panel discussion included a presentation
on federal legislation and FHWA Guidance in response to the Supreme
Court's opinion in the [Kelo et al. *v*. City of New
London]{.underline}.

In response to [Kelo]{.underline}, Congress included language in section
726 of the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the
Judiciary and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006, that
provided, in part, that "no funds in this Act \[be used to support
projects\] that \[use eminent domain\], unless eminent domain is
employed only for a public use," and that "public use shall not . . .
include economic development that primarily benefits private entities."
The Act also required the GAO to undertake a study on the use of eminent
domain. The study is underway, and includes ten (10) states', which GAO
plans to visit between June and August of this year.

During the presentation there was also a discussion on potential
additional federal legislation, including H.R. 4128 "Private Property
Rights Act of 2005" which, if passed, would affect use of eminent domain
for "economic development" by rendering states in violation to be
ineligible for certain federal economic development funds. Finally, the
panel discussion also recognized that many state legislatures are
addressing these concerns at the state level by legislation directly
affecting the use of eminent domain.

> For further information, you may contact Gerald Solomon at (202)
> 366-2037 or by e-mail at <Gerald.Solomon@dot.gov>, of the Office of
> Real Estate Services or the FHWA Division office in your State.

**What is Visualization in Planning?**

To strengthen public participation in the planning and project delivery
process and specifically to aid the public in understanding proposed
plans, the SAFETEA-LU calls for States and MPOs to use visualization
techniques. Through visual imagery, the complex character of proposed
transportation plans, policies and programs can be portrayed at
appropriate scales \-- state, region, local area, project architecture,
etc. and from different points of view. The effective presentation of a
project's impacts to the public has become an increasingly essential
part of the planning and design of the transportation system. Examples
of visualization techniques include sketches, drawings, artist
renderings, physical models and maps, simulated photos, videos, computer
modeled images, interactive GIS systems, GIS based scenario planning
tools, photo manipulation and computer simulation. New technology has
changed the communication process. There is so much data available that
interpretation of it would be difficult for anyone, especially if the
user doesn't specialize in that field of expertise.

Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division's 'Design Visualization Guide'
provides online technical information to introduce visualization tools
and innovative practices to be integrated into appropriate projects, and
used whenever there are design issues or communication needs.
<http://www.efl.fhwa.dot.gov/manuals/dv/>

![](media/image7.jpeg){width="1.125in" height="0.8875in"}Visual Internet
mapping applications from Geographic Information System (GIS) software
allows the data to be gathered from different sources and compiled.
Using GIS, planners, engineers, and stakeholders can holistically and
efficiently view multiple items of interest about a particular
geographic area. <http://www.gis.fhwa.dot.gov/default.asp>

Scenario planning uses a variety of visualization tools that provides
GIS-based analysis and 3D modeling that may be used during plan
development. <http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/scenplan/index.htm>

Visualization tools can be powerful communications tools, either
simplistic or highly technical, depending on its purpose, objective and
media. A complex plan, program or project may benefit greatly by using
sophisticated visualization tools as the means of describing the
proposed actions, but a small less technical proposed plan or project
may be just as well served with static maps, sketches, images and
photos. Every proposal is different and the decision on which types of
visualization tools to use is at the discretion of the transportation
professional.

<http://www.planning.dot.gov/PublicInvolvement/pi_documents/4c-g.asp#toc4C-g>

Additional visualization technical assistance can be found in:

the New England Transportation Consortium's 'Effective Visualization
Techniques for the Public Presentation of Transportation Projects'
<http://www.netc.uconn.edu/reports_listing.html#other>

AASHTO's Visualization in Transportation

<http://cms.transportation.org/sites/design/docs/VisualizationGuideJuly2003.pdf>
and on the TRB Visualization in Transportation Task Force web site

<http://www.trbvis.org/>

If you should have any questions please contact Jody McCullough at
<jody.mccullough@dot.gov> 202-366-2825 or Ben Williams
<ben.Williams@fhwa.dot.gov> 404-562-3671.

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="0.9368055555555556in" height="1.25in"}

The FHWA Office of Planning recently added two new staff members.
Spencer Stevens moved from the Pennsylvania Division Office to the
Planning Oversight and Stewardship Team. Previously, Spencer served as a
planning staff member in the FHWA/FTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Office
and the California Division Office. Spencer joined the FHWA in 1990 upon
earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the
University of New Hampshire. Spencer will be the Office\'s co-lead on
freight planning, as well as the lead on security linkages to
transportation planning and highway functional classification.
Additionally, he will serve as a Planning Stewardship Liaison for some
geographically assigned Division Offices in the \"North.\"

Chester Fung has joined the Transportation Planning Capacity Building
Team. He came from ICF Consulting, where he has worked on a number of
transportation planning, land use and environment projects. As a Senior
Transportation Planner for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation
Authority, Chester led a full spectrum of regional transportation
planning functions, including systems planning and analysis, project
development, interagency coordination, public involvement and
transportation finance. Chester has a Master\'s Degree from Stanford
University and a Bachelor\'s from Cornell University. Chester will be
working on improving FHWA's efforts to assist our customers in
addressing their increasingly complex issues related to transportation
needs in their communities. Chester will focus on linking planning and
environment issues and work in the rural transportation planning area.

![](media/image9.jpeg){width="1.25in" height="0.975in"}

**California Planning Conference**

The Federal Highway Administration, California Department of
Transportation and the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
hosted the 2006 California Transportation Planning Conference in
Monterey, California, May 30-June 1.  This was the first statewide
planning conference in California since 1998.  The conference focused on
how SAFETEA-LU, the federal surface transportation reauthorization bill,
affects transportation planning in California.  It presented new trends,
examples of best practices, networking opportunities, workshops and
keynote speakers.  Presentations and sessions were delivered on a range
of topics such as SAFETEA-LU planning provisions, air quality and
environmental issues, fiscal constraint, freight, land use, performance
measures, transportation safety planning and FLH issues.  Approximately
200 attendees participated.  A conference CD with the final agenda and
presentations will be available in the next several months.   For more
information on this conference, please contact Mayela Sosa ,
<mayela.sosa@fhwa.dot.gov> 916-498-5022 *or Dara
Wheeler *<dara.wheeler@dot.ca.gov> *at Caltrans**.***

##### Traffic Data for New Pavement Designs

The FHWA Texas Division Office sponsored a 2-day workshop on the
\"Traffic Data Needs for the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design
Guide\" May 17-18, 2006 in Austin, Texas. The FHWA Office of Pavement
Technology, FHWA Resource Center, FHWA's Office of Asset Management, and
FHWA Office of Highway Policy Information participated in this forum
along with TxDOT Traffic Analysis, District Offices, and Construction
(Pavement Design) Division.

Over 90 persons attended the 2-day workshop which included informal
breakout discussions among the participants in order to develop draft
action plans and goals for the purpose of improving the overall quality
of the traffic data associated with truck type classification and weight
data. This traffic data will be critical for implementing the new
mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide methodology.

The State DOTs of Iowa, Washington State, Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma,
Montana, and Louisiana were among the out-of-state attendees at this
workshop. The State of Texas, in conjunction with the FHWA Texas
Division, agreed to form a joint working group to implement some of the
action plan strategies generated during this 2-day workshop. For more
information contact Kirk Fauver, FHWA Texas Division Office,
512-536-5952 or <kirk.fauver@fhwa.dot.gov>

**Welcome to Eric Pihl, New Planning Modeling Specialist**

 

The FHWA Resource Center Planning Technical Service Team recently added
a new member, Mr. Eric Pihl. Eric joined the team as a Planning Modeling
Specialist, and will be involved in the development and deployment of
training and technical assistance in modeling and forecasting, data and
metropolitan planning.

Eric has nearly 10 years of experience in transportation planning and
travel demand modeling, experience that has been gained both in the
public sector and consulting worlds.  Most recently, he was a community
planner/modeling specialist with the FTA Office of Planning in
Washington, DC where he reviewed ridership forecasts and technical
methods for studies seeking New Starts funding.   In this capacity, he
provided a range of technical support to local agencies, transit
operators and MPOs.   He also provided technical input to the update of
FTA's guidance on travel forecasting and managed research efforts on
best practice planning methods and approaches. 

 

Prior to his time at FTA, he worked at EPA as a senior policy analyst in
the Office of Transportation and Air Quality where he reviewed
redevelopment projects for brownfields sites, including a review of the
sites for travel and emissions' impacts.   During his tenure at EPA, he
also lead a collaborative research project with the University of
California to evaluate the ability of 4-step travel models to capture
the short and long-range consequences of highway capacity
enhancements.   In addition, he has had previous professional experience
in both the consulting and MPO worlds.   Eric has a B.S. in Geography, a
MA in urban planning and a MS in civil engineering. 

 

As part of his initial assignments, Eric will be working with the
Division Offices that requested modeling assistance for FY06, including
deliveries of some travel demand forecasting related courses/workshops
and providing technical assistance on EIS modeling reviews. 

 

In addition, Eric will also be working with the Office of Freight
Management and Operations on the update to the Quick Response manual,
the development of a Freight Data Made Simple and outputs of the Freight
Analysis Framework II (FAF II), as well as forthcoming freight related
products which can assist Division offices and your partners.  

 

He will be physically located in the Lakewood office, but will be
available to respond to your training and technical assistance needs in
modeling on a national basis.    Eric can be reached at  (720) 963-3219
or by email at:

eric.pihl@fhwa.dot.gov .

**FY 2007 "Planning Menu"**

An updated version of the "Planning Menu" has been distributed to FHWA
Division offices. It lists training and technical assistance available
in the areas of planning and environment. FHWA's Headquarters, Resource
Center, the National Highway Institute and the National Transit
Institute services are included. It can be found at
[**http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/teams/planning/publications.cfm**](http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/teams/planning/publications.cfm)
.

The Resource Center recently sent out the annual call for assistance
requests from HQ and RC. The results were to be submitted by June 9^th^.
If there are other needs that haven't been included, contact your local
Division Office.

##### CRT Announces Annual Achievement Awards

Nine trail projects have been chosen by the Coalition for Recreational
Trails (CRT) as recipients of its seventh **Annual Achievement Awards**
in recognition of their outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program
(RTP) funds.  These nationally-recognized awards will be presented at a
special Capitol Hill ceremony in Washington, D.C. on June 14, 2006 as
part of the celebration of **Great Outdoors Week 2006. ** To learn more
about these award-winning trail projects, go to
[http://www.funoutdoors.com/files/Awards%20Handout.pdf](http://www.funoutdoors.com/files/Awards Handout.pdf)
.

**Next Quarter's Workshops & Training Courses**

##### Resource Center 

For information see contacts at
<http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/teams/planning/index.cfm> .

7/19/2006 Overview of Travel Demand Forecasting Tallahassee, FL

8/9/2006 Scenario Planning Workshop Chico, CA

9/14/2006 Scenario Planning Workshop Corpus Christi, TX

September Implementing Effective Congestion Management Processes
Nashville, TN

**National Transit Institute**

For registration instructions see:
<http://www.ntionline.com/CourseDates.asp>

6/27/2006-6/29/2006 [Managing the Environmental
Process](http://www.ntionline.com/CourseInfo.ASP?CourseNumber=ID810)
Lee\'s Summit, MO

8/1/2006-8/3/2006 Pilot of Transportation and Land Use San Francisco, CA

##### National Highway Institute

##### **Try out the new NHI Web site!**

<http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/home.aspx>

As part of our ongoing effort to better serve the transportation
community, NHI has developed an improved Web site. Along with a new look
and simplified navigation, we have added many new features, including
the NHI store and online payment, online session enrollment, online host
requests, and more. Also, you can now check on the schedule of web
conferences at
<http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/eventcalendar.aspx>
.

7/11/2006-7/13/2006 NEPA and Transportation Decisionmaking Nashville, TN
Contact: Tom Love 615-741-5364

7/12/2006-7/13/2006 Highway Program Financing Topeka, KS Contact: Rachel
Bennett 785-291-3398

7/17/2006-7/18/2006 Highway Program Financing Tallahassee, FL Contact:
James Jobe 850-414-4448

7/19/2006-7/20/2006 Highway Program Financing Tallahassee, FL Contact:
James Jobe 850-414-4448

7/19/2006-7/20/2006 Water Quality Management of Highway Runoff Columbus,
OH Contact: Donna Toy (614) 752-5713

7/26/2006-7/27/2006 Highway Program Financing Little Rock, AR Contact:
Knighten Starnes 501-569-2604

7/31/2006-8/1/2006 Highway Program Financing Phoenix, AZ Contact: Ed
Stillings 602-379-3646

8/1/2006-8/3/2006 Context Sensitive Solutions Detroit, MI Contact:
Lorraine Corradino 313-961-4266

8/2/2006-8/3/2006 Highway Program Financing Phoenix, AZ Contact: Anne
Parris (602) 712-8461

8/8/2006-8/9/2006 Highway Program Financing Ocoee, FL Contact: Deloris
Jones 407-532-3999 ext. 3146

8/10/2006-8/11/2006 Highway Program Financing Ocoee, FL Contact: Deloris
Jones 407-532-3999 ext. 3146

8/22/2006-8/23/2006 Administration of FHWA Planning and Research Grants
Montgomery, AL Contact: Dorothy Smiley 334-353-6413

8/22/2006-8/23/2006 Highway Program Financing Raleigh, NC Contact: Missy
Dickens 919-733-2031

9/11/2006-9/12/2006 Highway Program Financing Juneau, AK Contact: Simon
Howell 907-451-5482

9/12/2006-9/14/2006 Beyond Compliance: Historic Preservation in
Transportation Project Development Raleigh, NC Contact: Topsy Skinner
919-733-3141

9/12/2006-9/13/2006 Highway Program Financing Sacramento, CA Contact:
Jason Dietz 916-498-5886

9/13/2006-9/15/2006 NEPA and Transportation Decisionmaking Trenton, NJ
Contact: William Bennett 609-530-2954

9/14/2006-9/15/2006 Highway Program Financing Fairbanks, AK Contact:
Simon Howell 907-451-5482

9/18/2006-9/19/2006 Highway Program Financing Anchorage, AK Contact:
Simon Howell 907-451-5482

9/20/2006-9/21/2006 Highway Program Financing Juneau, AK Contact: Simon
Howell 907-451-5482

9/26/2006-9/27/2006 Administration of FHWA Planning and Research Grants
Montpelier, VT Contact: Dennis Trapp 802-828-2671

##### Travel Model Improvement Program Workshops

For more detail see: <http://tmip.fhwa.dot.gov/conf_courses/> or
contact: Penelope Weinberger 202-366-4054 <penelope.weinberger@dot.gov>.

8/22/2006 Activity and Tour Based Forecasting Seminar St. Louis, MO

8/23/2006 Travel Model Calibration, Validation and Reasonableness
Checking Seminar St. Louis, MO

8/24/2006 Forecasting Land Use Activities Seminar St. Louis, MO

10/2/2006-10/5/2006 Introduction to Urban Travel Demand Forecasting
Richmond, VA Contact Paul Agarello 804-786-2531

Fall 2006 Introduction to Urban Travel Demand Forecasting Denver, CO

Fall 2006 Activity and Tour Based Forecasting Seminar San Diego, CA

Fall 2006 Travel Model Calibration, Validation and Reasonableness
Checking Seminar San Diego, CA

Fall 2006 Forecasting Land Use Activities Seminar San Diego, CA

![](media/image10.wmf){width="0.625in" height="0.3909722222222222in"}

7/9/2006-7/9/2006 TRB Summer Conference Environmental Stewardship in
Transportation Chicago, IL
<http://www.ncdot.org/doh/preconstruct/highway/geotech/trb/>

7/9/2006-7/9/2006 TRB Summer Conference & 31^st^ Annual Summer Ports,
Waterways, Freight & International trade conference San Diego, CA
<http://www.trb.org/conferences/jointsummer/2006>

7/30/2006 - Aug 3/2006 2006 International Traffic Records Forum Palm
Springs, CA http://www.atsip.org/index.php/2006foruminfo/

7/30/2006-8/3/2006 Second International Symposium on Transportation
Technology Transfer St. Petersburg, Florida
<http://www.t2symposium.org/index.html>

8/16/2006 - 8/20/2006 11th International Conference on Travel Behavior
Research, Kyoto University, Japan See:
<http://term.kuciv.kyoto-u.ac.jp/iatbr06/>

8/13/2006-8/16/2006 [7^th^ National Access Management
Conference](http://www.accessmanagement.gov/flash/7thUtah.html) Park
City, UT

8/ 27/2006 -- 8/30/2006 [Association for Commuter Transportation 2006
International Conference](http://tmi.cob.fsu.edu/act/) Boston, MA

9/5-8, 2006, [**ProWalk/ProBike
2006**](http://www.bikewalk.org/PWPB2006/proposal.html), Organized by
the National Center for Bicycling and Walking. Madison WI.

9/15/2006 - 9/17/2006 10th National Conference on Transportation
Planning For Small and Medium-Sized Communities, Sheraton Downtown,
Nashville, TN See: <http://www.trbtoolsofthetrade.org/default.htm>

10/18/2006-10/19/ 2006, State Trail Administrators Meeting, Quad Cities
Iowa/Illinois\
[www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/stam2006/](http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/stam2006/)
.

10/23/2006-10/26/2006 International Visualization in transportation
Symposium & Workshop Denver, CO <http://www.trbvis.org/>

Rail\~Volution 2006

 The twelfth annual conference will be held in Chicago, Illinois
November 4-8, 2006.   

[www.railvolution.com/CallForPapers.html](http://www.railvolution.com/CallForPapers.html)
.