Purpose and Need 1. Importance of Purpose and Need 2 Understanding federal requirements for...
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Transcript of Purpose and Need 1. Importance of Purpose and Need 2 Understanding federal requirements for...
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Purpose and Need
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Importance of Purpose and Need
Understanding federal requirements for development of P&N statements
Know that a good P&N is the foundation for NEPA and project development
The relationship of P&N to all areas of project development – from project initiation through design and construction - and all other aspects of environmental assessment
Understand the relationship between Purpose and Need, Alternatives and Logical Termini and Independent Utility
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The Purpose and Need Statement
The Purpose and Need Statement:
Clearly identifies and quantifies the transportation problems and other need elements defined for the study area so that independent utility is established
Adequately address logical termini for the purpose of establishing the design, concept and scope of the study/project
Does not restrict the consideration of other reasonably foreseeable transportation improvements within the project’s area of influence
Must be adequate for use in the evaluation of the planning-level conceptual alternatives being considered
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Federal Law, Regulation, Policy & Guidance
Law National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969
Regulations CEQ regulations to implement NEPA, 40 CFR 1502 FHWA regulations to implement NEPA, 23 CFR 771
Policy and Guidance FHWA Technical Advisory, T 6640.8a (10-3-87) Memorandum on P&N (9-18-90) FHWA Guidance on Purpose and Need (7-23-03) FHWA Guidance on the Development of Logical Termini (11-5-93) FHWA Guidance on Linking Planning and NEPA (2-22-05) CEQ 40 most asked questions
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40 CFR 1502.13
CEQ Definition of the Purpose and Need Statement:
The statement shall briefly specify the underlying purpose and need to which the agency is responding in proposing the alternatives, including the proposed action
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Purpose and Need - Definition
The “Purpose” states clearly and succinctly why the project is being proposed and the intended positive outcomes
The “Need” describes the key problem(s) to be addressed and explains the underlying causes of those problems. The driving force for the project should be a transportation need.
It provides the factual foundation for the statement of the project’s purpose
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The P&N Defines:
The P&N is the critical part of the environmental document that:
Explains to the public and decision-makers why the expenditure of funds is necessary and worthwhile
Establishes the priority of the project relative to other transportation needs/projects in the area
Provides justification that although environmental impacts may be caused by the project, the purpose and need should justify why the impacts are acceptable based on the project's importance
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Components of the Purposeand Need Statement
The Purpose and Need Statement provides:
Definition of transportation problems/objectives Information on the adequacy of current facilities to handle
present and projected traffic (what capacity is needed and the level of service for the existing and proposed facilities)
Information on factors such as safety, system linkage, social demands, economic development, and modal interrelationships, etc., that the proposed project will attempt to address
Establishes logical termini/independent utility Cornerstone of the Alternatives Analysis
Does NOT discuss solutions Guides development, evaluation & elimination of
alternatives Coordinate/communicate with stakeholders Manages controversy Ensures decisions are legally defensible
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Format: Project History
Provides a background of previous studies
Illustrates how the project was initiated and what has been done to date
State differences between current study and other studies demonstrating that this does not duplicate them
Legislative mandates
Part of long range plans, MPO studies, etc.
Current status of the study/project
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Format: Purpose Statement
Clear and concise Not a description of the project and should not contain
solutions/proposed improvements Typically one or two sentences in length State the intended positive outcomes
Example statement for a widening project (the needs are congestion, crashes & roadway geometrics)
The purpose of the proposed project is to improve mobility, safety, and access along a heavily traveled portion of US 23 between Worthington and Delaware by addressing existing transportation needs
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Format: Need Elements
Existing transportation problem(s)
Data that is factual and can be quantified (use performance measures/analysis), ideally in priority order
Discuss existing, future & desired conditions related to the need
Public/social/economic demands should be acknowledged
Modal interrelationships should be highlighted – that the project will enhance other modes and intermodal relationships or that it will not preclude non-highway modal projects
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Need Elements
Safety
High crash locations “Hot Spot” locations Highway Safety
Program candidates
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Need Elements
Congestion
Traffic Counts Forecasted traffic (ADT) –
planning level traffic, certified traffic
Travel Demand Level-of-Service (LOS)
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Need Elements
Roadway Geometrics
BeforeAfter
Roadway standards Design standards Pavement conditions
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Need Elements
Facility Deficiencies
Sufficiency ratings Geometric standards and design Bridge design deficiencies Bridge conditions
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Need Elements
Emergency Repairs
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Need Elements
Economic Development
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Format: Goals and Objectives
Not a required element – they are optional, should be acknowledged and considered as secondary alternative evaluation factors
Part of a project’s desired outcomes
Examples: improving pedestrian access, developing a gateway, opening up areas for economic development, etc.
May be appropriate to incorporate them into the project design later in the PDP
Often part of a community’s visioning document or master plan
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Format: Summary
Simply and succinctly - restate the purpose statement
Highlight and summarize the need elements
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Logical Termini and Independent Utility Guidance
FHWA regulations outline three general principles at 23 CFR 771.111(f) that are to be used to frame a highway project in order to ensure meaningful evaluation of alternatives and to avoid commitments to transportation improvements before they are fully evaluated:
Connect logical termini and be of sufficient length to address environmental matters on a broad scope
Have independent utility or independent significance, i.e., be usable and be a reasonable expenditure even if no additional transportation improvements in the area are made
Not restrict consideration of alternatives for other reasonably foreseeable transportation improvements
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Logical Termini
Logical Termini
Where the transportation problem begins/ends
Rational end points for a transportation improvement typically major traffic generation points such as
intersecting roadways or where traffic volumes change i.e. increase or fall off
Geographic boundaries (county lines, rivers, etc.) are not generally used. If a project ends at a geographic boundary the “project study limits” should be extended to the nearest state or federal system roadway.
Rational end points for a review of the environmental impacts Generally broader that the strict construction termini
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Independent Utility
Independent Utility
A project must be able to function on its own without further construction of an adjoining segment
The project is usable (stand alone) and is a reasonable expenditure even if no additional transportation improvements in the area are made
Interaction with intersecting elements
Does not rely on separate actions or preclude future improvements
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“Just the Facts”
Eliminate FLUFF Clear and concise Do not include solutions/improvements Opinions do not count Factual and quantified data
Avoid subjective words: May, maybe, likely, could
Avoid words with legal interpretations Significant Segment Hazardous
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End Result
Defines existing transportation problem(s)
Presents a fact-based justification for the project focusing on a quantitative verification of the transportation need(s)
Identified need(s) help establish logical termini and independent utility
Creates a baseline to evaluate, eliminate or advance alternatives
Does not restrict consideration of alternatives for other transportation improvements
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FHWA Contacts
Carmen Stemen, Planning and Environment SpecialistFHWA Ohio Division200 N. High St. Rm. 328Columbus, OH 43215(614) [email protected]
Noel Mehlo, Environmental LeadFHWA Ohio Division200 N. High St. Rm. 328Columbus, OH 43215(614) [email protected]
