As of October 1, 2016, the SWUTC concluded its 28 years of operation and is no longer an active center of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. The archived SWUTC website remains available here.

0-6762

SWUTC Research Project Description

Maximizing Mitigation Benefits – Making a Difference with Strategic Inter-Resource Agency Planning

University: Texas A&M University

Principal Investigator:
John Overman
Texas Transportation Institute
(817) 462-0516

Funding Source: SPR Program

Total Project Cost: $151,643

Project Number: 0-6762

Date Started: 9/1/12

Estimated Completion Date: 8/31/13

Project Summary

Project Abstract:
The objective of this research project is to assess current mitigation policies and practices in comparison to resource agency objectives, and identify mitigation strategies and priorities that provide greater cost-benefit potential and implementation speed through strategic inter-resource agency planning. Mitigation for various actions associated with transportation development has been part of the process for decades.  Although the science, practice and technology may have advanced during this time, many of the processes and practices are rooted in traditional rules and regulations that require mitigation. The objective for this project will be to assess mitigation policies and practices as a whole – looking at both the current and future of mitigation efforts in the transportation development process.  This research project will identify implementable tools, practices, processes, stakeholders and decision points that can form the framework to begin a new approach to mitigation.  This project intends to build upon previous national research efforts that have documented successful practices and provide TxDOT with its own framework for the future.

Project Objectives:
The results of this research will be of immediate benefit to TxDOT and its partners, such as metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), state and federal resource agencies, and local governments. The deliverables have the potential to provide a foundation for the education and outreach needed to implement strategic changes in mitigation business processes for TxDOT and its project development partners. Specific anticipated benefits include the following:

  • Examples of demonstrated and measurable economic and environmental benefits (to support legislative and policy initiatives
  • A framework for statewide and coordinated regional plans that establish goals and priorities among multiple agencies with incentives for local governments to avoid, minimize and invest in environmental resources.
  • Greater regulatory efficiency that address multiple resource needs instead of uncoordinated silos of regulation
  • Project and process predictability
  • Improved avoidance and minimization practices
  • Improved multi-agency consultation, coordination and cooperation processes and agreements
  • A coordinated and more efficient credits program to meet multi-agency and regional objectives
  • Example agreements, MOUs, MOAs and feasible working groups
  • Improved information resources frameworks, standardized data resources, and clearinghouses
  • Improved interagency and public  trust and credibility
  • Publicly supported, multi-agency performance measures

Task Descriptions:

Task 1.  Confirm Research Priorities and Requirements

Task 2. Review Current Mitigation Practices and Regulatory/TxDOT Framework

Task 3. Stakeholder and Resource Agency Outreach and Interviews

Task 4. Mitigation Case Studies

Task 5.  Prepare First Year Report

Task 6.  Plan and Conduct Workshops with Stakeholders and Practitioners

Task 7.  Finalize Strategies and Prepare Draft Research Products

Task 8.  Prepare Final Research Product and Workshop

Task 9.  Prepare Research Reports and Deliverables

Implementation of Research Outcomes:
The objective of this research project is to assess current mitigation policies and practices in comparison to resource agency objectives, and identify mitigation strategies and priorities that provide greater cost-benefit potential and implementation speed through strategic inter-resource agency planning. Mitigation for various actions associated with transportation development has been part of the process for decades. Although the science, practice, and technology may have advanced during this time, many of the processes and practices are rooted in traditional rules and regulations that require mitigation. The objective for this project is to assess mitigation policies and practices as a whole–looking at both the current and future of mitigation efforts in the transportation development process.

Impacts/Benefits of Implementation:
This initial report summarizes activities conducted in the first year of the project.

Web Links:
Final Technical Report