1 / 23

Purpose & Need

0. Purpose & Need. Categorical Exclusion Training Class. 0. FHWA Definition. Purpose A concise and clear statement as to why the action is being proposed and articulates intended positive outcomes Need Explains existing transportation problem(s) to be addressed and their underlying causes.

zenia
Download Presentation

Purpose & Need

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. 0 Purpose & Need Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  2. 0 FHWA Definition Purpose • A concise and clear statement as to why the action is being proposed and articulates intended positive outcomes Need • Explains existing transportation problem(s) to be addressed and their underlying causes Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  3. CEQ Definition 40 CFR 1502.13 The statement shall briefly specify the underlying purpose and need to which the agency is responding in proposing the alternatives, including the proposed action Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  4. 0 Why Have a P&N? • Most important part of the environmental document that helps define: • Why expenditure of funds is worthwhile • Priority of the project relative to other needed highway projects is warranted • Justifies the project to stakeholders, the public, and decision-makers • Justifies significant environmental impacts Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  5. Importance of P&N • Cornerstone of the Alternatives Analysis • Does not discuss solutions • Avoids developing an ill-conceived project • Defines transportation problems/objectives • Coordinate/communicate with stakeholders • Manages controversy Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  6. Importance of P&N • Guides development, evaluation, and elimination of alternatives • Establishes Logical Termini/Independent Utility • Ensures decisions are legally defensible Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  7. 0 P&N Format Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  8. Project History • Provides a background of previous studies • Illustrates how project was initiated and what has been done to date • Legislative mandates • Part of long range plans, MPO studies, etc • Current status of the undertaking Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  9. Purpose Statement • Clear and concise • Typically one or two sentences in length • States the intended positive outcomes • Example statement for a widening project The purpose of the proposed project is to improve mobility, safety, and access along a heavily traveled portion of US 23 between Worthington and Delaware by addressing existing transportation needs • The needs would be listed as bullets • For this example, the needs are congestion, crashes, and roadway geometrics Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  10. Need Elements • Existing transportation problem(s) • Data that is factual and can be quantified • Discuss existing, future, and desired conditions related to the need Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  11. Goals and Objectives • Optional • Part of a project’s desired outcomes • Improves pedestrian access; develops a gateway, opens up areas for economic development, etc. • Important to consider • Oftentimes part of a communities visioning document or master plan Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  12. Summary • Restate the purpose statement • Highlight the need elements Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  13. Logical Termini and Independent Utility • Logical Termini • Transportation problem begins/ends • Rational end points • Independent Utility • Interaction with intersecting elements • Does not rely on separate actions Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  14. 0 Transportation Needs Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  15. Safety Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  16. Congestion Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  17. Roadway Geometrics Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  18. Facility Deficiencies Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  19. Emergency Repairs Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  20. Economic Development Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  21. “Just the Facts” • Eliminate FLUFF • Opinions do not count • Factual and quantified data • Avoid subjective words: • May, maybe, likely, could • Avoid words with legal interpretations • Significant • Segment • Hazardous Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  22. Recommended Length • Categorical Exclusions • One or two paragraphs per need element • EA or EIS • Can be more detailed • No more than three to five pages of text • Tangible, quantifiable data • Comprehensive, specific, and concise Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  23. End Result • Defines existing transportation problem(s) • Creates a baseline to evaluate, eliminate or advance alternatives • Identified needs help establish logical termini and independent utility • Does not restrict consideration of alternatives for other transportation improvements Categorical Exclusion Training Class

More Related