Use of a GIS-based Model of Habitat Cores and Landscape Corridors for the Virginia Department of Transportation's Project Planning and Environmental Scoping

Use of a GIS-based Model of Habitat Cores and Landscape Corridors for the Virginia Department of Transportation's Project Planning and Environmental Scoping PDF Author: Bridget M. Donaldson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Corridors (Ecology)
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Book Description
As important habitats are being lost to human development, transportation agencies are facing increased expectations that their road projects avoid or minimize further habitat destruction and adverse effects on wildlife populations. Wildlife linkage or landscape corridor analyses are being conducted in an increasing number of states, and more transportation agencies are using this information during the planning of proposed road projects. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Natural Heritage Program is creating a GIS tool, the Virginia Natural Landscape Assessment (VANLA), that identifies large patches of natural land cover (habitat cores) and the habitat linkages connecting these areas (landscape corridors). This analysis can be integrated into the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) existing GIS applications for access by staff involved with transportation planning and environmental scoping activities. Analyzing a proposed project in the early stages of project development would allow VDOT to identify important natural resource areas and habitat corridors to avoid or for which mitigation may be appropriate or necessary. This can result in fewer project delays, promote collaboration between VDOT and state natural resource and regulatory agencies, and meet the directives of the new habitat conservation provision in SAFETEA-LU, the federal transportation legislation. In addition, basing particular project decisions on a project's location relative to a habitat corridor can decrease the risk of costly animal-vehicle collisions.

Use of a GIS-based Model of Habitat Cores and Landscape Corridors for the Virginia Department of Transportation's Project Planning and Environmental Scoping

Use of a GIS-based Model of Habitat Cores and Landscape Corridors for the Virginia Department of Transportation's Project Planning and Environmental Scoping PDF Author: Bridget M. Donaldson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Corridors (Ecology)
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Book Description
As important habitats are being lost to human development, transportation agencies are facing increased expectations that their road projects avoid or minimize further habitat destruction and adverse effects on wildlife populations. Wildlife linkage or landscape corridor analyses are being conducted in an increasing number of states, and more transportation agencies are using this information during the planning of proposed road projects. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Natural Heritage Program is creating a GIS tool, the Virginia Natural Landscape Assessment (VANLA), that identifies large patches of natural land cover (habitat cores) and the habitat linkages connecting these areas (landscape corridors). This analysis can be integrated into the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) existing GIS applications for access by staff involved with transportation planning and environmental scoping activities. Analyzing a proposed project in the early stages of project development would allow VDOT to identify important natural resource areas and habitat corridors to avoid or for which mitigation may be appropriate or necessary. This can result in fewer project delays, promote collaboration between VDOT and state natural resource and regulatory agencies, and meet the directives of the new habitat conservation provision in SAFETEA-LU, the federal transportation legislation. In addition, basing particular project decisions on a project's location relative to a habitat corridor can decrease the risk of costly animal-vehicle collisions.

Performance Measurement Framework for Highway Capacity Decision Making

Performance Measurement Framework for Highway Capacity Decision Making PDF Author:
Publisher: Transportation Research Board National Research
ISBN:
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 128

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Book Description
Examines five broad areas of performance including transportation, environment, economics, community, and cost.

A Toolkit of Measures for Reducing Animal-vehicle Collisions

A Toolkit of Measures for Reducing Animal-vehicle Collisions PDF Author: Bridget M. Donaldson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Deer
Languages : en
Pages : 34

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Book Description
Animal-vehicle collisions are a growing concern in terms of human safety; costs related to injury, property damage, and disposal; and the viability of wildlife populations. These collisions are rapidly increasing throughout the United States, and Virginia is consistently ranked among the states with the highest number of deer-vehicle collisions, in particular. Federal and state agencies have consequently placed added pressure on transportation departments to implement measures to reduce these incidents. It is often unclear to transportation practitioners, however, which mitigation measures are effective and where, how, and under what circumstances to use a measure for a particular road project. Although determining a definitive solution for any particular situation is difficult, the toolkit developed in this study is intended as a "quick" guide to provide information on the latest research available on the effectiveness of various mitigation measures to reduce animal-vehicle collisions. More extensive information on one particularly effective technique, wildlife crossings, is provided to assist in implementation and design decisions.

Interaction Between Roadways and Wildlife Ecology

Interaction Between Roadways and Wildlife Ecology PDF Author: Gary L. Evink
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISBN: 0309069238
Category : Roads
Languages : en
Pages : 86

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Book Description
TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 305: Interaction Between Roadways and Wildlife Ecology summarizes existing information related to roadway planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance practices being used successfully and unsuccessfully, nationally and internationally, to accommodate wildlife ecology given the challenging background of rapid growth and diminishing natural resources.

Evaluating and Conserving Green Infrastructure Across the Landscape

Evaluating and Conserving Green Infrastructure Across the Landscape PDF Author: Karen Firehock
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780989310307
Category : Land use
Languages : en
Pages : 132

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Book Description
This is the New York State edition of the GIC's guide to evaluating and conserving green infrastructure (GI) across the landscape. It provides an historical background to GI, as well as practical steps for creating GI maps and plans for a community. It discusses issues around evaluating green assets, public involvement in the mapping process, and the practical steps in bringing together GIS information into a useful format. It draws from twelve field tests GIC has conducted over the past six years in a diversity of ecological and political conditions, at multiple scales, and in varied development patterns – from wildlands and rural areas to suburbs, cities and towns. This guide is intended to help people make land management decisions which recognize the interdependence of healthy people, strong economies and a vibrant, intact and biologically diverse landscape. Green infrastructure consists of our environmental assets – which GIC also calls ‘natural assets’ – and they should be included in planning processes. Planning to conserve or restore green infrastructure ensures that communities can be vibrant, healthful and resilient. Having clean air and water, as well as nature-based recreation, attractive views and abundant local food, depends upon considering our environmental assets as part of everyday planning. Available from GIC at www.gicinc.org.

Visual Impact Assessment for Highway Projects

Visual Impact Assessment for Highway Projects PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Landscape protection
Languages : en
Pages : 96

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Book Description


Transportation Planning Handbook

Transportation Planning Handbook PDF Author: ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers)
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118762355
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 1204

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Book Description
A multi-disciplinary approach to transportation planning fundamentals The Transportation Planning Handbook is a comprehensive, practice-oriented reference that presents the fundamental concepts of transportation planning alongside proven techniques. This new fourth edition is more strongly focused on serving the needs of all users, the role of safety in the planning process, and transportation planning in the context of societal concerns, including the development of more sustainable transportation solutions. The content structure has been redesigned with a new format that promotes a more functionally driven multimodal approach to planning, design, and implementation, including guidance toward the latest tools and technology. The material has been updated to reflect the latest changes to major transportation resources such as the HCM, MUTCD, HSM, and more, including the most current ADA accessibility regulations. Transportation planning has historically followed the rational planning model of defining objectives, identifying problems, generating and evaluating alternatives, and developing plans. Planners are increasingly expected to adopt a more multi-disciplinary approach, especially in light of the rising importance of sustainability and environmental concerns. This book presents the fundamentals of transportation planning in a multidisciplinary context, giving readers a practical reference for day-to-day answers. Serve the needs of all users Incorporate safety into the planning process Examine the latest transportation planning software packages Get up to date on the latest standards, recommendations, and codes Developed by The Institute of Transportation Engineers, this book is the culmination of over seventy years of transportation planning solutions, fully updated to reflect the needs of a changing society. For a comprehensive guide with practical answers, The Transportation Planning Handbook is an essential reference.

Evaluation of Methodologies for Visual Impact Assessments

Evaluation of Methodologies for Visual Impact Assessments PDF Author: Craig Churchward
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISBN: 0309258863
Category : Aesthetics
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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Book Description
"TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 741: Evaluation of Methodologies for Visual Impact Assessments evaluates visual impact assessment (VIA) procedures, methods, and practices that satisfy or exceed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other requirements. The report documents VIA methodologies and approaches used in the United States and other countries, describes the decision making framework used to select specific VIA techniques for a given project, includes VIA best practice case studies from state departments of transportation, and highlights promising new developments in the field."--pub. desc.

Defining Common Ground for the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor

Defining Common Ground for the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor PDF Author: Kenton Miller
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 62

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Book Description
This work is intended to catalyze actions necessary to plan and implement the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. It introduces the MBC Initiative, examines its implications for stakeholder groups, and identifies the challenges that must be addressed if the MBC is to be effectively implemented.

Spatial Multicriteria Decision Making and Analysis

Spatial Multicriteria Decision Making and Analysis PDF Author: Jean-Claude Thill
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429791526
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 377

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Book Description
First published in 1999, this volume consists of selected papers presented at the North American Meetings of the RSAI along with invited contributions from scholars active in the field of spatial multicriteria decision making and analysis. It is meant to present diverse lines of research in spatial multicriteria decision making and analysis under the multidisciplinary umbrella of Geographic Information Science. The first part explores selected theoretical and conceptual aspects of spatial multicriteria decision making and analysis not confined to any specific application domain. Part 2 consists of six chapters focusing on various forms of location decision and analysis problems. Finally, part 3 contains five chapters on various spatial decision problems whose systemic scope sets them apart from locational decision problems.