GIS Research Needs and STEP March 27, 2007 GIS T T 2007 Symposium Nashville Airport Marriot Nashville, Tennessee
What is this about? Suggestions for GIS T T research topics/activities
Why are we doing this? STEP
What is STEP? Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Plan SAFETEA LU LU s Section 5207 established a new cooperative research program in section 507 of Title 23, United States Code, Highways (23 U.S.C. 507)
What is STEP? To improve understanding of the complex relationship between surface transportation, planning, and the environment. Approximately $11.7 million available for FHWA to do research on its own or in collaboration with its partners Other Federal Agencies and tribes State and local government Nongovernmental transportation and environmental stakeholders
STEP Has Emphasis Areas Fund research projects in 4 broad categories Environment Planning Tools to support planning & environment Program Management and Outreach A total of 17 emphasis areas
STEP Has Emphasis Areas Environment Air quality/ Global Climate Change Water/Wetlands/ Vegetation/Wildlife/ Habitat/Brownfields Historic Preservation Bicycle/Pedestrian and Health Noise Outdoor Advertising Control/Realty Program Management Environmental Streamlining/ Stewardship Context Sensitive Solutions
STEP Emphasis Areas Planning US/Canada and US/Mexico Border Planning National Security, Defense, and Interstate Planning Congestion Safety Planning Freight Planning Public Involvement, Environmental Justice, Visualization in Planning Other Activities that Support State/Local/Tribal Planning Capacity Building
STEP Has Emphasis Areas Tools to Support Planning & Environment GIS/Spatial Information for Improved Decision Making Travel Modeling Program Management and Outreach
STEP has a Timeline FHWA provides ongoing opportunities for stakeholders to participate in STEP by Shaping Research Priorities Providing Funding for Collaborative Research 50% match for Cooperative Agreements and grants Shaping Specific Research Activities Evaluating the results of STEP funded research
STEP has a Timeline Winter Implement current plan, through appropriate procurement methods, agreements and partnerships January Hold meetings and discussions on STEP February/March Refine STEP Implementation/Goals/Emphasis Areas; publish Federal Register Notice and update website to solicit feedback on next year fiscal year STEP
STEP has a Timeline Spring Conduct outreach for next fiscal year by emphasis area, review research needs, and identify gaps Spring/Summer Develop priorities for and fund critical, short term research. Develop/draft next fiscal year STEP Plan for comment
STEP has a Timeline October Announce final plan Winter Begin to implement current fiscal year, through appropriate procurement methods, agreements and partnerships.
Why are we doing this? We have money STEP has provided some funding We have to STEP requires us to solicit/gather input on what the research needs are in GIS T GIS T T is an emphasis area We want to Come up with research and activities that s relevant and most beneficial to State DOTs
What are some examples of research topics?
Current STEP Research Plan GIS Outreach and Promotion Newsletters GIS Website (http://gis.fhwa.dot.gov( http://gis.fhwa.dot.gov) Peer Exchanges, Best Practices and Case Studies Training Courses (Applying( GIS and Spatial Data Tech. to Transportation) Workshops (GIS4EST Workshop) GIS Virtual Webcast (April 19 th, 2007) Study of Business Models for GIS T Spatial Integration of Local Agency Inventory Information Development of the Transportation for the Nation Concept
How can I send you my suggestions and ideas? http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/
STEP Homepage
STEP Homepage
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STEP Feedback Form
STEP Feedback Form
What are some GIS T research topics/activities? Any suggestions for right now?
Contact Information Mark Sarmiento mark.sarmiento@dot.gov FHWA STEP Website http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/ FHWA GIS Website http://gis.fhwa.dot.gov