Federal Highway Administration

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Federal Highway Administrations (FWHA)Surface
Transportation Environment and Planning
Cooperative Research Program (STEP)
STEP A Federal Research Program Conducting
Research That Links to Practice Webinar November
16, 2009
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www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP
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Agenda

• Welcome Remarks from the HEP Associate
  Administrator
• STEP Program Overview
• STEP Emphasis Area Research Highlights
  Presentations
• Questions Answers Session

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www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP
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What is FHWAs STEP?

• STEP Background
• A federally-administered nationally oriented
  research program
• Authorized in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,
  Efficient Transportation Equity Act A Legacy of
  Users (SAFETEA-LU)
• Section 5207 Surface Transportation Environment
  and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP)

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www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP
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STEP Objectives

• Improve understanding of the complex relationship
  between surface transportation, planning, and the
  environment
• Identify, address, and reassess national research
  priorities for environment, planning and realty

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www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP
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Legislative Guidance

• SAFETEA-LU requires, to the maximum extent
  practicable, that
• Best projects and researchers based on merit,
  open solicitations, and selection by a panel of
  appropriate experts
• DOT has a qualified, permanent core staff
• Stakeholders are involved in program governance
  and
• No duplication with the Future Strategic Highway
  Research Program (Section 5210 of SAFETEA-LU)

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How is FHWAs STEP funded?

• SAFETEA-LU authorized 16.875 million per year
  for FY2006-2009
• Part of Title V Research funds authorized in
  5101(a)(1)
• Approximately 14 million anticipated to be
  available in FY10 due to obligation limitations
  and rescissions
• FY10 subject to Continuing Resolution and
  anticipated authorization legislation

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Who gets FHWAs STEP money?

• STEP funds can be awarded to
• State governments
• Metropolitan planning organizations
• Local governments
• Universities
• Federal agencies
• Private sector

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www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP
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How are FHWAs STEP funds awarded?

• A variety of procurement mechanisms are used to
  award STEP funds including
• Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (ID/IQ)
• Interagency agreements
• Grants
• Cooperative agreements
• Small purchase contracts
• Broad Agency Announcements are used to obtain
  broad diverse perspectives and options for
  advancing research initiatives

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FHWAs STEP Challenges

• Congress mandated a 50 non-Federal share for
  grants cooperative agreements
• Non-Federal match requirement does not apply to
  contracts or Federal Interagency Agreements
• SAFETEA-LU does not allow University
  Transportation Center or State Planning and
  Research funds to be used as the non-Federal
  match for STEP
• Primary source of funding for all FHWA Planning
  and Environment research
• Support research that impacts a broad array of
  stakeholders

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www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP
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Stakeholder Involvement

• On-going outreach stakeholder feedback are used
  to refine implement the national STEP research
  agenda
• Partnerships are formed to leverage funds with
  other sources including
• Federal, State and Local agencies
• National Cooperative Highway Research Program
• Future Strategic Highway Research Program
• Pooled funds foreign jurisdictions
• Examples of outreach activities include
• National workshops
• Annual community-of-practice conferences
• Program advisory groups
• Peer reviews

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STEP Stakeholders

• Tier I Stakeholders
• Federal Agencies and Tribes
• Tier II Stakeholders
• State and Local Government
• Tier III Stakeholders
• Nongovernmental Transportation and Environmental
  Stakeholders

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Implementation Timeline

• Winter
• Begin to implement current fiscal year
• Spring
• Refine STEP Implementation Strategy
• Publish Federal Register Notice
• Update website to solicit feedback on next fiscal
  year STEP activities
• Spring/Summer
• Develop priorities for and fund critical research
• Develop next draft fiscal year STEP Plan
• Fall/Winter
• Post current fiscal year plan on STEP website

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Overview of FY10 STEP Activities

• A Federal Register Notice was published on
  September 4, 2009
• The deadline for comments is December 3, 2009
• The target date for completion of the FY2010 STEP
  Plan is Spring 2010
• Funding levels subject to completion of FY2010
  appropriations and anticipated authorization
  legislation

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How Do Stakeholders Participate in FHWAs STEP
Research Program?

• Review FY2010 STEP Strategy
• Develop suggested lines of research
• Submit feedback
• Review Annual Plan
• Monitor FedBizOpps.gov
• Contact work with STEP emphasis areas

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Examples of STEP Feedback

• Conduct more research in terms of green
  infrastructure planning and environmental
  mitigation strategies. Calculate the true
  stewardship costs for wetland and buffer
  mitigation sites. The costs should include at a
  minimum review of the baseline report, a site
  visit, identification of problem areas such as
  the presence of exotic/invasive species,
  corrective actions for the problem and reporting.
• Evaluate CSS performance - "how do we know it's
  working?" is a question frequently asked by upper
  management. Such evaluation tools will help
  provide support for funding CSS initiatives
  locally. Also, any type of procedural tools -
  steps, checklists, techniques, etc. are helpful
  for getting the engineering/technical staff
  involved in CSS components like effective
  communication, stakeholder involvement, public
  involvement, etc.
• Monitor highway vehicle traffic emissions for use
  to establish emissions gradients along highway
  (and smaller road) corridors in order to
  demarcate the impacted area emissions gradient
  would be used as a planning tool so that
  residential, school, hospital, and other
  sensitive receptors could be located outside the
  affected area.

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Proposed FY2010 STEP Emphasis Areas
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The Office of Natural Human Environment

• Presenter Mark Ferroni
• STEP Emphasis Areas
• Air Quality Contact Cecilia Ho
• Climate Change Contact Robert Ritter
• Bicycle/Pedestrian and Health Contact Gabe
  Rousseau
• Noise Contact Mark Ferroni

www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment
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www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP
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Air Quality Research Highlights

• Recently Completed
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)
  Evaluation and Assessment Study
  www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/cmaqpgs/safetealu1808
  /index.htm
• Evaluation and Dissemination of Conformity
  Practiceshttp//www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/conf
  ormity/practices/index.cfm
• Conference Support
• Northern Transportation and Air Quality Summit
  2008www.marama.org/ntaqs/
• AASHTO Air Quality Practitioners Conference 2008

www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment
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Air Quality Research Highlights

• Research Underway
• Mobile Source Air Toxics Near Roadway Study
• MOVES sensitivity analysis
• Transportation and Air Quality Emissions Analysis
• Modeling procedures and applications of MOVES
• Advanced  methods in conducting project level
  emissions analysis
• Air quality outreach and communication strategies
• Air Quality Health Effects and Highway Proximity
  (Health Effects Institute)
• Contact Cecilia.Ho_at_dot.gov

www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment
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Global Climate Change Research Highlights

• Adaptation Research
• Phase II of the Gulf Coast Study
• Working group on Global Climate Change (GCC)
  impacts
• Develop framework to conduct assessments
• Mitigation Research
• 13-agency workgroup on Transportation, Land Use
  and GCC
• Two pilot projects on carbon sequestration in
  rights-of-way
• Study to reduce energy use through planning for
  mega-regions
• Develop sustainability evaluation and planning
  guidance
• Contact Robert.Ritter_at_dot.gov

www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment
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Bicycle/Pedestrian and Health Research
Highlights

• Research goals
• Identify and promote best practices
• Evaluate environmental and health benefits of
  increased walking and bicycling
• Improve data and modeling of walking and
  bicycling trips
• Current projects
• National Transportation Enhancements
  Clearinghouse www.enhancements.org
• FHWA/AASHTO International Scan on Walking and
  Bicyclinghttp//www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bike
  ped/pbssumm.htm
• Continued support for the Nonmotorized
  Transportation Pilot Program
• Contact Gabriel.Rousseau_at_dot.gov

www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment
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Noise Research Highlights

• FHWA Traffic Noise Model
• Development of Version 3.0
• Testing and Validation
• Increased Ldn Capabilities
• Pavement Validation Study
• Tire/Pavement Noise
• Temperature Effects Study
• TPF-5(135) Participation
• Contact Mark.Ferroni_at_dot.gov

www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment
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FHWA, Office of Planning

• Presenter Kenneth Petty
• STEP Emphasis Areas
• Activities that Support State, Local, Contact
  Kenneth Petty
• and Tribal Planning Capacity
• Building Planning
• Congestion Contact Harlan Miller
• Public Involvement, Environmental Contact
  Brenda Kragh
• Justice, and Visualization in Planning
• Freight Planning Contact Spencer
  Stevens
• Safety Planning Contact Lorrie Lau
  
• Travel Modeling Contact Sarah Sun

http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/index.htm
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Activities that Support State, Local, and Tribal
Planning Capacity Building Research Highlights

• Transportation Planning Capacity Building (TPCB)
  Program www.planning.dot.gov
• TPCB Program Peer Program and Scenario Planning
  Workshopshttp//www.planning.dot.gov/peer.aspabo
  ut

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Activities that Support State, Local, and Tribal
Planning Capacity Building Research Highlights

• http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/tribaltrans/lrtpmod.ht
  m

http//www.planning.dot.gov/resourceSearch.asp
http//www.planning.dot.gov/documents/annualreport
/annualreport_04-08.asp
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www.planning.dot.gov
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Activities that Support State, Local, and Tribal
Planning Capacity Building Research Highlights

• Research Underway
• Executive Roundtable Performance-based Planning
  and Programming
• Management Practices in Developing Fiscal
  Constraint for STIPs, TIPs, and MTPs
• Livability in Transportation Best Practices
  Guidebook
• Best Practices in Transportation Planning
  Performance Measures, Environmental Mitigation,
  and Fiscal Constraint
• A Guide to Measuring Progress in Linking
  Transportation Planning and Environmental Analysis

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www.planning.dot.gov
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Congestion Research Highlights

• Research Underway
• Identifying Statewide Opportunities for Linking
  Planning and Operations
• Benchmarking and Targeted Technical Assistance
• Update Ridesharing/TDM resources
• Confidential GPS Travel Survey Data Center
• TDM and the Congestion Management Process
• Congestion and Environmental Analysis

http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/congestion/
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www.planning.dot.gov
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Public Involvement, Environmental Justice,
Visualization in Planning Research Highlights

• Research Underway
• Transportation and Environmental Justice Best
  Practices Guidebookhttp//www.fhwa.dot.gov/enviro
  nment/pubinv2.htm
• A Guide to Transportation Decisionmakinghttp//
  www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/citizen/
• Community Impact Assessment and Public
  Involvement Websiteshttp//www.fhwa.dot.gov/envir
  onment/cia.htm

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Freight Planning Research Highlights

• Research underway
• International Scan on Policy and Program
  Structure of National and International Freight
  Corridor Programs
• Integrating Freight into NEPA Analysis Handbook
• Freight and Air Quality Handbook
• Freight and Land Use Peer Exchange

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www.planning.dot.gov
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Safety Research Highlights

• Research Underway
• Updating the NHI, Transportation Safety Planning
  Coursehttp//www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/scp/index.
  htm
• A Primer on Safety Performance Measures and the
  Transportation Planning Processhttp//tsp.trb.org
  /assets/web_fact_sheet_index.pdf
• Transportation Planners Safety Desk Reference
  http//safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/tsp/fact_sheet.cf
  m
• Linkages between Transportation Safety Planning,
  Operations and NEPA

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www.planning.dot.gov
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• Travel Modeling Research Highlights

• Research Underway
• Support TRB in Establishing a National Travel
  Forecasting Resource
• 2005-2007 CTPP Profiles
• Travel Model Improvement Program (TMIP) Web
  Knowledge and Information Exchange Webinar Series
• TMIP Website and Email Listserve

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http//tmip.fhwa.dot.gov/
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The Office of Real Estate Services

• Presenter Carolyn James
• STEP Emphasis Areas
• Real Estate Program Stewardship Contact
  Carolyn James
• Outdoor Advertising Control Contact
  Edward Kosola

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http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/index.htm
www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP
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Outdoor Advertising Control Research Highlights

• The Commercial Electronic Variable Message Sign
  (CEVMS) Study http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate
  /cevms.htm
• Neutral Assessment of the National Outdoor
  Advertising Control Program National Policy
  Dialogue

http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/index.htm
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Real Estate Program Stewardship Research
Highlights

• Outreach and Informational Dissemination Programs
  
• The FHWA International Right of Way and Utilities
  Scanhttp//www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/scans/rowu
  tilint08.htm
• Real Estate Exchangehttp//knowledge.fhwa.dot.gov
  /cops/rex.nsf/home
• The 11th Annual Education Conference on the
  Control of Outdoor Advertisinghttp//www.nahba.or
  g/
• Excellence in ROW Awardshttp//www.fhwa.dot.gov/r
  ealestate/rowea.htm
• Federal Agency Update

http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/index.htm
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Real Estate Program Stewardship Research
Highlights

• Additional Realty Research Highlights
• Right of Way, Design-Build, and Acquisition
  Models
• Relocation Assistance Retrospective Study
• Integrating Visualization Technologies into the
  Right-of-Way Processes
• Peer Exchange - Use of Incentive Payments in
  Right-of-Way Acquisition and Relocation Programs
  http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/incpeerexch.ht
  m
• Development of a Right Of Way Competency
  Navigator and Capacity Building and Training
  Curriculum Clearinghouse
• Identification and Development of Local Public
  Agency (LPA) Stewardship Tools and Techniques

http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/index.htm
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The Office of Project Development
Environmental Review

• Presenter Shari Schaftlein
• STEP Emphasis Areas
• Water/Wetlands/Vegetation/ Contact Carol Adkins
• Wildlife/Habitat/Brownfields
• ? Historic Preservation Contact MaryAnn Naber
• Environmental Streamlining Contact Shari
  Schaftlein
• Stewardship
• Context Sensitive Solutions Contact Shari
  Schaftlein
• (CSS)

http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/index.htm
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Water/Wetlands/Vegetation/Wildlife/Habitat/Brownf
ields Research Highlights

• Chloride Study
• International Best Management Practices (BMP)
  Stormwater Databasehttp//www.bmpdatabase.org

http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/index.htm
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Water/Wetlands/Vegetation/Wildlife/Habitat/Brownf
ields Research Highlights

• FHWA ESA Section 7 Consultation Web
  SiteHTTP//ESAFHWA.ORG

• Indiana Bat Northeast States Literature Synthesis
  
• Invasive species in wetland mitigation
• Section 404 and 10 web-based course

http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/index.htm
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Water/Wetlands/Vegetation/Wildlife/Habitat/

• Wildlife Vehicle Collision Study-Congressional
  Report, Best Practices Manual
• Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Report
  http//www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/08034/
• Best Practices http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment
  /hconnect/wvc/index.htm/
• International Conference on Ecology
  Transportation Adapting to Change
  http//www.icoet.net/ICOET2009.asp
• Culvert Design Field Test HEC-26

http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/index.htm
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FHWA Grants for Eco-Logical An Ecosystem
Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects

• Funded Research Underway
• Integrate transportation and
  environmental
• planning through to project
  level efforts
• for economic, environmental,
  societal needs objectives
• 1.4 million to fund work through 2011
• 15 projects selected from nationwide
  solicitation
• Diversity of funded recipients across the
  nation
• State and local transportation agencies,
• State resource agencies,
• Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs),
• Local governments,
• Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs),
• Academia (University)
• Future Grant Cycle Anticipated

Map of locations of funded recipients
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http//www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/ecological/eco
_entry.asp
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Environmental Streamlining Stewardship
Research Highlights

• Green Highways Partnership Watershed Resource
  Registry - http//www.greenhighways.org
• HQ Liaisons New EPA position, Peer Exchange,
  Funded positions study - bachle.laura_at_epa.gov
• Communities of Practice ReNEPA, Successes in
  Streamlining
• New Course Env. Factors in Construction
  Maintenance
• SAFETEA-LU Performance (6002, 6005, 6009, EDTS,
  National Survey)

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http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/index.htm
www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP
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Environmental Streamlining Stewardship
Research Highlights

• Planning and Environment Linkages
• Conservation Transportation Planning Workshop
• Visualization case studies and workshop
• Linking Planning National Environmental Policy
  Act support tools
• Adaptation to Climate Change Effects
• Conflict Resolution New Course, Consultant
  Services
• 4(f) NHI training

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http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/index.htm
www.fhwa.dot.gov/HEP/STEP
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Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Research
Highlights

• CSS Clearinghouse
• Building a Community of Practice through
• www.contextsensitivesolutions.org
• CSS Webinar Series
• CSS National Dialog

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Historic Preservation Research Highlights

• Ongoing Historic Preservation Research
• IAG w/ Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
  for Research and Innovation
• Enhanced website featuring case results and
  agreements
• MN Tribal experience training
• Peer exchange for DOT/SHPO liaisons
• On-deck Historic Preservation Research
• Best practices for PEL for historic properties
• Phase II case study digest and dissemination
• Post WWII housing model w/ NCHRP
• Best practices for historic bridge management

http//www.achp.gov/fhwa.html
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http//www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/histpres/index
.asp
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The Office of Interstate Border Planning

• Presenters Stefan Natzke Roger Petzold
• STEP Emphasis Areas
• National Security, Defense, Contact
  Stefan Natzke
• Interstate Planning
• U.S./Canada U.S./Mexico Contact
  Roger Petzold
• Border Planning
• Geographical Information Systems Contact
  Mark Sarmiento
• (GIS)
• STEP Program Management Contact
  Felicia Young
• Outreach

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National Security, Defense Interstate Planning
Research Highlights

• Highway System and Corridor Support
• Monitoring of Case Studies Interstate and NHS
  Economic Development
• NHS Designation and Product Development
• Electronic Dialogue on Transportation and
  Economic Development

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http//www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/nhs
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U.S./Canada U.S./Mexico Border Research
Highlights

• Ongoing Research
• Border Master Plan
• Develop Bi-National Border Master Plans along the
  Southern Border
• Developed Compendium of Border Infrastructure
  along Northern Border
• Border Wait Times
• U.S./Canada Border Wait Time Pilot
• U.S./Mexico Border Delay and Crossing Times for
  Freight (4 locations)

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http//www.borderplanning.fhwa.dot.gov
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Geographic Information Systems Research
Highlights

• GIS for Improved Decision Making
• Peer Exchanges
• Newsletters
• Webcasts
• More information at http//gis.fhwa.dot.gov

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Program Management Outreach

• Coordinate STEP Implementation
• Seek Opportunities to Leverage STEP Research
• Outreach Activities
• STEP Website/Feedback System
• Annual Report
• Hot Topic Bulletins

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Stakeholder Input Options

• Review FY2010 STEP Strategy
• Develop suggested lines of research
• Submit feedback by December 3rd
• Review Annual Plan
• Monitor http//FedBizOpps.gov
• Contact work with STEP emphasis areas
• Participate in STEP outreach activities

https//www.fbo.gov/
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Other Research Resources

• Funding Sources for Transportation Research
  Competitive Programs http//www.trb.org/ResearchFu
  nding/Public/ResearchFunding.aspx
• Transportation and Environmental Research Ideas
  (TERI) Database http//environment.transportation
  .org/teri_database/
• Research Needs Statement Database
  http//www.trb.org/InformationServices/Public/Rese
  archNeedsStatementsRNS.aspx
• Research In Progress (RIP) http//rip.trb.org/
• Transportation Research Information Services
  (TRIS) http//ntlsearch.bts.gov/tris/index.do

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Thank You for Participating!If you have any
questions about STEP, please send an e-mail to
Felicia.Young_at_dot.gov. To contact emphasis
areas directly, please visit for the most
up-to-date contact information
www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/contacts.htm
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