During a National Association of Development Organizations Research Foundation webinar on April 5, 2022, Brian Hare shared an overview of how the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has linked transportation with environment in outreach and planning processes over time.

1. Linking Planning and NEPA:
Integrating Land Use and
Transportation & More…
Planning Environment Linkages
April 5, 2022
Brian D. Hare, P.E.
PennDOT
Center for Program Development and
Management

2. PA Planning Framework:

3. PA Planning Framework:

4. Only 50-60%
have zoning
Nearly 2,600
municipalities
67 counties
24 MPOs/RPOs
11 PennDOT
Engineering Districts
Only county
comprehensive
plans required
Municipalities
regulate land use
Land Use/Transportation Integration
Challenges:
Many municipalities
lack full-time staff

5. History of LPN in PA
Changing the Rules
Where we’ve been…
Where are we today?
Content for Discussion
1
2
3
4

6. PA’s History of
Linking Planning and NEPA
1

7. PA’s History of
Linking Planning and NEPA
Context Sensitive Solutions – 1990’s
Smart Transportation – 2008
Linking Planning and NEPA - 2011

8. Core Focus on Asset Management
Pavements and Bridges…but a lot more

9. Photographer: penywise. Used through license agreement with morguefile.com
Limited Financial Resources.

10. Photographer: penywise. Used through license agreement with morguefile.com
Land Use Transportation Connection.

11. Transportation Technology is changing

12. Public Expectations are changing

13. Changing the Rules
2
“….Partnering to build great communities
for future generations of Pennsylvanians
by linking transportation investments
and land use planning and decision making.”

14. Changing the Rules
Smart Transportation Guidebook
• Flexible design on all projects
• Increase coordination with local
municipalities
• Link land use contexts and roadway design
values

15. Understand the Context in Planning
Context MUST consider:
 Land Use
 Community
 Environment
 Transportation
 Financial
Integrating the New Approach

16. Linking Planning and
NEPA
Where we’ve been…
3

17. • Increasing Collaboration
• Earlier Collaboration
• Following the Process
Linking Planning and NEPA Implementation
2
1
3

18. Linking Planning and NEPA
• LPN Objectives……
–Define the Purpose and Need
–Better understanding of Scope
–Better handle on the Schedule
–Better handle on the Budget

19. The Process Framework for Change
Linking Planning with NEPA

20. Level 2 Screening Form

21. FINAL PRODUCTS…..September 2010
Linking Planning and NEPA Implementation

22. Where are we today?
4

23. Where are we today?
PennDOT Connects!
4

24. www.dot.state.pa.us 1-24
PennDOT Connects
PennDOT is committed to enhancing community
collaboration in our planning process.
• District and Planning Partner staff meet
with local staff on all new projects added to
a TIP
• Required for all projects that
had no project phase
included on a prior TIP

25. www.dot.state.pa.us 1-25
PennDOT Connects
• Identify needs of communities and
related issues early in project planning
• Document thoroughly
• Consider community transportation needs
 Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations
 Transit access
 Stormwater management
 Green infrastructure

26. www.dot.state.pa.us 1-26
PennDOT Connects
• Community transportation needs
assessment based on:
 Comprehensive plans
 Other local planning studies
• Local government must demonstrate
features are a (documented) element of
the community vision
• Cost is a consideration, but not reason
enough to disregard improvements

27. www.dot.state.pa.us 1-27
PennDOT Connects

28. www.dot.state.pa.us 1-28
PennDOT Connects
• Costs must be weighed against the full
range of benefits to communities
 Improved mobility
 Economic competitiveness
 Access to work
 Quality of life
• Communities may have no other
opportunities to realize these
improvements in the foreseeable future

29. www.dot.state.pa.us 1-29
Planning in a 21st Century State DOT
“State DOTs are no longer just held
accountable for the transportation
system; they are also held accountable
for how the system supports and
improves quality of life for communities.”
Transportation Research Board, National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 798: The Role of
Planning in a 21st Century State Department of Transportation—Supporting Strategic Decisionmaking, 3/23/2016

30. THANK YOU!