00939729

Monograph

http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/161492.aspx

This synthesis report will be of interest to state department of transportation (DOT) staff involved in the development, operation, and maintenance of roadways and how they can affect wildlife and ecological systems across the country. Roadway development choices made in response to population growth can affect many, if not all, forms of wildlife. Such effects include loss of wildlife habitat, fragmentation, mortality, and increased competition. The synthesis reviews and discusses regulatory context (laws, regulations, policies, and guidance); transportation planning and development processes; the types of effects, including habitat loss, fragmentation, and chemical and physical impacts; the scale and assessment of effects; analytical tools, including motorist safety studies and wildlife surveys; conservation measures and mitigation; maintenance (culverts and habitat restoration); and funding sources and deficiencies. This report of the Transportation Research Board summarizes existing information related to roadway planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance practices being used both nationally and internationally, successfully and unsuccessfully, to accommodate wildlife ecology given the challenging background of rapid growth and diminishing natural resources. It includes data obtained from the survey responses of 35 state DOTs in addition to a review of research literature to describe the state of the practice. It reviews the processes, types of effects, analytical tools, conservation and mitigation measures, maintenance, and funding involved in constructing an environmentally sustainable transportation system that acts in cooperation with the natural system supporting our global civilization. Three case studies showing some actions being undertaken are provided. The report concludes with a listing and descriptions of the major federal regulations relevant to wildlife and the environment.

Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

Project 20-5 FY 2000
Topic 32-11

English

84 p.

2002

NCHRP Synthesis of Highway Practice

0309069238

Appendices (3) ; Photos (29) ; References; Tables (3)

Case studies; Conservation; Ecology; Environmental impacts; Environmental protection; Financing; Guidelines; Habitat (Ecology); Highway safety; Highways; Laws; Literature reviews; Maintenance; Policy; Population growth; Real estate development; Regulations; Restoration ecology; State departments of transportation; State of the practice; Surveys; Sustainable development; Transportation planning; Wildlife

Environment; Highways; Law; Maintenance and Preservation; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Safety and Human Factors; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Mar 11 2003 12:00AM