Integrating Road Safety into NEPA Analysis: A Primer for Safety and Environmental Professionals

Table of Contents

Abbreviations

Preface

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Primer Organization

1.2 Using the Primer

2.0 NEPA Overview and Levels of Documentation

2.1 NEPA Overview

2.2 Classes of Action

3.0 Considering Safety Before the NEPA Process

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Linking The NEPA Process to Safety Planning

3.3 Transitioning into the NEPA Process

4.0 Public and Stakeholder Outreach

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Scoping

4.3 Who to Contact

4.4 Questions to Ask

5.0 Purpose and Need Statements

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Defining the Safety Problem

5.3 Considering Multimodal Safety

5.4 If Safety is Not Part of the Purpose and Need

5.5 Summary

6.0 Alternatives Analysis

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Developing Alternatives

6.3 Screening Alternatives

7.0 Defining the Affected Environment

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Project Contexts and Safety Considerations

8.0 Analysis of Environmental Impacts and Mitigation

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Construction Impacts

8.3 Indirect and Cumulative Impacts

8.4 Mitigation and Enhancements

8.5 Safety After the NEPA Process

A. Resources

A.1 NEPA Training

A.2 Safety Training

A.3 References for NEPA Regulation and Guidance

A.4 Analytical Tools and Resources for Identifying and Addressing Project-Level Safety Issues

B. Case Studies

B.1 Colorado DOT: East Eagle Interchange – Innovative Process for Including Safety in Alternatives Analysis

B.2 Colorado DOT: Central Park Boulevard – Safety Analysis Techniques

B.3 Washington DOT: SR 502 – Using Proven Safety Countermeasures

B.4 District of Columbia DOT: South Capitol Street – Addressing Safety for Multiple Modes

B.5 Wisconsin DOT: U.S. 8 – Public Involvement and Safety

B.6 Tennessee DOT: Expediting Road Safety Improvements

List of Tables

Table 4.1 Potentially Interested Stakeholders

Table 5.1 Information and Data to Include in Purpose and Need Statements for Safety Focused Projects

Table 7.1 Summary of Characteristics and Considerations in Special Contexts

List of Figures

Figure 2.1 NEPA Decision-Making Process – Levels of Documentation

Figure 2.2 Integrating Safety into NEPA Analysis

Figure 3.1 Integrating SHSP Priorities into other Plans and Programs

Figure 5.1 Nominal and Substantive Safety

Figure B.1 Alternatives Analysis Summary Sheets

Figure B.2 Colorado DOT LOSS Model for Total Crashes in Study Area

Figure B.3 Build – No-Build Alternative

Figure B.4 Streetscape Concept for South Capitol Street

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