Sustainable Highways Initiative

FHWA Pilot Program for Resilience and Durability to Extreme Weather (12-2017)
FHWA has launched a pilot program that will partner with State DOTs, MPOs, Tribal governments, and Federal Lands Management Agencies to deploy one of the following three resiliency solutions: 1. Integration of resilience and durability into agency practices; 2. Utilizing current tools and resources to perform vulnerability and risk assessments of transportation systems and projects; or 3. Deploying and monitoring the performance of aa resilience solution.

Call for Alternative Fuel Corridor (AFC) Nominations (10-2017)
The Federal Highway Administration has called for nominations for the 2017 Alternative Fuels Corridor. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act requires that the Secretary of Transportation must identify short- and long-term need, and location for, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, propane fueling infrastructure, and natural gas fueling infrastructure along national highways to improve the mobility of passenger and commercial vehicles that employ renewable and low-carbon fuels across the country. Nominations are due by close of business on November 30, 2017. Contact Diane Turchetta at 202-493-0158 or Diane.Turchetta@dot.gov for more information.

Series of FHWA Webinars on Climate Resiliency (9-2017)
A series of webinars focused on FHWA’s climate resiliency-focused projects. Topics include the impacts of climate conditions and extreme weather events on transportation projects, green infrastructure, and FHWA’s climate change and extreme weather vulnerability assessment framework. The webinars run from September 28 through November 16, 2017.

New Vehicle-To-Vehicle Technologies Demonstrated by FHWA (9-2017)
FHWA conducted a test of emerging vehicle-to-vehicle communications technology. Three-truck platoons used the new Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control technology, which allows trucks to follow each other more closely and travel more efficiently.

Health Considerations Integrated in North Central Texas’ Long-Range Planning (7-2017)
FHWA details how health considerations are being integrated into the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ (NCTCOG) Long Range Planning efforts. NCTCOG is using resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify health indicators, data for transportation-related public health measures, and strategies for public health.

Webinar Recording: Energy and Emissions Reduction Policy Analysis Tool (7-2017)
A webinar recording is now available for FHWA’s Energy and Emissions Reduction Policy Analysis Tool, which analyzes and forecasts transportation energy consumption and related emissions, and addresses demand-side transportation strategies for climate policy.

New Guide and Case Studies for Community Impact Assessments (6-2018)
FHWA’s Quick Reference Guide for Community Impact Assessments (CIA) has been updated, and a series of best practice case studies have been posted. Community Impact Assessments involve understanding the needs of communities and documenting potential social impacts of a project. The guide covers the processes, tools, and information sources for CIAs, and includes best practices describing assessments conducted on projects in various States.

User Guide for Long-Term Pavement Performance Climate Tool Published (6-2018)
A user guide for FHWA’s Long-Term Pavement Performance Climate Tool has been published. This online tool provides access to climate data from NASA’s Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications database.

NEPA Reviews During Emergencies (6-2018)
The newest issue of FHWA’s Successes in Stewardship newsletter covers environmental compliance and the different uses of NEPA reviews during emergencies. Programs run by FHWA and FEMA offer to help fund expenses associated with declared emergencies, such as hazard mitigation and resilience features.

Report Summarizes Resilience Integration with State Transportation Planning (6-2018)
FHWA has published a report that highlights the activities of transportation agencies to integrate resilience into transportation planning processes across 52 State DOTs and 101 MPOs. The report examines how these agencies have been integrating resilience into their processes, such as resilience in goals and objectives, vulnerability assessments, and performance measures.

Materials Available from 2017 Extreme Weather and Climate Impacts Resiliency Peer Exchange (5-2018)
Materials from a peer exchange for climate impacts and resiliency are now available. The peer exchange focused on methods of assisting transportation stakeholders in resolving issues related to extreme weather and sea level rise preparedness, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

FHWA Report Evaluates Eco-Logical Program (3-2018)
FHWA has completed an evaluation study for the implementation of Eco-Logical, an ecosystem-based infrastructure planning and mitigation approach. This evaluation report describes the implementation actions of FHWA, such as the 2006 primary resource document, rounds of funding, peer exchanges and webinars, case studies and reports, and outreach to State and local agencies.

FHWA Report on Nature-Based Coastal Resilience Features (2-2018)
A report by FHWA details the current uses of nature-based infrastructure features for coastal-highway resilience. These projects mimic natural features and can be used to protect coastal highways from sea level rise and extreme weather events. The report includes information on natured-based solutions, lessons learned, performance, and examples of successful applications in Delaware and Virginia.

FHWA Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Website

FHWA INVEST 1.0 Self Evaluation Tool

FHWA Livability Webpage

FHWA Operational Performance Measurement Program

FHWA Pavements Webpage

FHWA Planning and Environmental Linkages

FHWA PlanWorks: Better Planning, Better Projects

FHWA Website on Renewable Energy on Highway Right-of-Way