A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X Y Z
Access
Access is a feature of roads that serve the start and end of a trip, where access to adjacent property is the primary function. For a discussion of the dual roles of mobility and access played by the highway network see this: source.
Affected Environment
The existing social, economic, and environmental setting for the area(s) that would be affected by all alternatives presented in the EIS. source
Alternatives
Different solutions to meet the project’s purpose and need. Alternatives can include combinations of transportation modes and locations. source
Anchorage 2020
The Anchorage Bowl Comprehensive Plan, adopted by the municipal Assembly on February 20, 2001, is a blueprint to guide development in the Anchorage Bowl. source
Arterial
A class of roads serving major traffic movements (high-speed, high volume) for travel between major points. source
Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT)
The total volume of traffic on a highway segment for one year, divided by the number of days in the year. source
Capacity
A transportation facility's ability to accommodate a moving stream of people or vehicles in a given time period. source
Collector
In rural areas, routes that serve intracounty rather than statewide travel. In urban areas, streets that provide direct access to neighborhoods and arterials. source
Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS)
A collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that involves all stakeholders to develop a transportation facility that fits its physical setting and preserves scenic, aesthetic, historic and environmental resources, while maintaining safety and mobility. source
Cumulative Impact
The impacts on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (Federal or non-Federal) or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative impacts can result from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over a period of time. source
Demand
The amount of traffic or number of vehicles that want to use a roadway over a given time period.
Direct Effect
In the context of NEPA, direct impacts are caused by the action and occur at the same time and place. source
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
The primary purpose of an environmental impact statement is to serve as an action-forcing device to insure that the policies and goals defined in the Act are infused into the ongoing programs and actions of the Federal Government. It shall provide full and fair discussion of significant environmental impacts and shall inform decisionmakers and the public of the reasonable alternatives which would avoid or minimize adverse impacts or enhance the quality of the human environment. An environmental impact statement is more than a disclosure document. It shall be used by Federal officials in conjunction with other relevant material to plan actions and make decisions (source). The document generally includes the following sections: purpose and need, alternatives, affected environmental, and environmental consequences. source
Environmental Justice (EJ)
Executive Order 12898 of February 11, 1994 calls on federal agencies to make achieving environmental justice part of its mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations (source). According to FHWA the three fundamental environmental justice principles are:
- To avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including social and economic effects, on minority populations and low-income populations.
- To ensure the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decision-making process.
- To prevent the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay in the receipt of benefits by minority and low-income populations. source
Environmentally Preferred Alternative
When an EIS is prepared, the Record of Decision (ROD) must identify all alternatives that were considered, specifying the alternative or alternatives which are considered to be environmentally preferable. source 1 source 2
Freeway
A divided arterial highway designed for the unimpeded flow of large traffic volumes. Access to a freeway is rigorously controlled and intersection grade separations are required. In Anchorage, the Glenn Highway east of the Airport Heights Drive and the Seward Highway south of 36th Avenue are freeways. source
Highway
A highway is any road, street, parkway, or freeway/expressway that includes rights-of-way, bridges, railroad-highway crossings, tunnels, drainage structures, signs, guardrail, and protective structures in connection with highways. The highway further includes that portion of any interstate or international bridge or tunnel and the approaches thereto (23 U.S.C. 101a). source
Indirect Effect
In the context of NEPA, indirect impacts are caused by the action and are later in time or farther removed in distance, but are still reasonably foreseeable. Indirect effects may include growth inducing effects and other effects related to induced changes in the pattern of land use, population density or growth rate, and related effects on air and water and other natural systems, including ecosystems. source
Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)
An LRTP is a long-term (usually 20- or 25-year) strategic and capital improvement plan to guide investment of public funds in the transportation system. Anchorage’s LRTP is the 2025 Anchorage Bowl Long Range Transportation Plan, which was formally adopted by the Anchorage Assembly in 2005. source
Major Arterial
A functional subclassification of a type of roadway that provides for moderately long (inter-area), through trips between regionally significant traffic generators. Its primary function is traffic movement. A major arterial offers direct access to other arterials and collectors and limited access to adjacent land uses, particularly major traffic generators. In Anchorage, examples of major arterials include DeBarr Road, Northern Lights Boulevard, Lake Otis Parkway, and Bragaw Street. source
Minor Arterial
A functional subclassification of a type of roadway that provides for medium-length (intra-area), urban trips and serves high-intensity commercial and residential generators. Its primary function is traffic movement. A minor arterial also offers direct access to adjacent land uses, other arterials, collectors, and major residential streets. A minor arterial is generally an undivided, two directional facility. In Anchorage, examples of minor arterials include E. 9th Avenue and Fireweed Lane. source
Mitigation
Mitigation is the action or actions taken by an agency to offset impacts when a proposed action impacts a resource. Mitigation can include avoiding the impact, minimizing the impact, rectifying the impact, reducing or eliminating the impact over time, or compensating for the impact. source
Mobility
The ability to move or be moved from place to place. This “ability to move or be moved” is not mode dependent but applies to vehicles, transit, pedestrians, and bicyclists. According to FHWA, mobility can be measured in terms of “travel times, level of traffic congestion, or duration of congestion – all of which focus on how long it takes to get from place to place.” source
Mode
A specific form of transportation, such as automobile, subway, bus, rail, or air. source
Multimodal
Representing more than one mode of transportation, especially within a system or a corridor. source (http://www.muni.org/iceimages/transplan/2027%20AppendixA.pdf) The availability of transportation options using different modes within a system or corridor. source
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) established a national environmental policy intentionally focused on federal activities and the desire for a sustainable environment balanced with other essential needs of present and future generations of Americans. NEPA established a mandate for federal agencies to consider the potential environmental consequences of their proposals, document the analysis, and make this information available to the public for comment prior to implementation. NEPA requires, to the fullest extent possible, that the policies, regulations, and laws of the federal government be interpreted and administered in accordance with its environmental protection goals. NEPA also requires Federal agencies to use an interdisciplinary approach in planning and decision making for any action that adversely impacts the environment. NEPA requires and FHWA is committed to the examination and avoidance of potential impacts to the social and natural environment when considering approval of proposed transportation projects. source
National Highway System (NHS)
The NHS is a system of highways designated and approved in accordance with 23 USC§103(b). source (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/glossary/glossary_listing.cfm?TitleStart=N) The Glenn Highway and Seward Highway are examples of the NHS in Anchorage. According to 23 USC§103(b), the National Highway System shall:
- Serve major population centers, international border crossings, ports, airports, public transportation facilities, and other intermodal transportation facilities and other major travel destinations;
- Meet national defense requirements; and
- Serve interstate and interregional travel. source
No Action Alternative
The EIS is required to “include the alternative of no action” (source). According to the Citizen’s Guide to NEPA, “the ‘no action’ alternative is simply what would happen if the agency did not act upon the proposal for agency action.” source
Proposed Action
A proposal made by an agency. The proposed action is the initial idea, or proposal, and may or may not be the preferred alternative that results at the end of the environmental review process. source 1 source 2
Preferred Alternative
In the Draft EIS an agency may, and in Final EIS and agency must, identify its preferred alternative or alternatives. source
Purpose and Need
The purpose of and need for action is the section of the EIS that describes the transportation problem or other needs that the proposed action is intended to correct. The purpose and need forms the basis to the “no action” discussion in the “Alternatives” section, and assists with the identification of reasonable alternatives and the selection of the preferred alternative. source
Agencies draft a Purpose and Need statement to describe what they are trying to achieve by proposing an action. The purpose and need statement explains to the reader why an agency action is necessary, and serves as the basis for identifying the reasonable alternatives that meet the purpose and need. source
Reasonable Alternative
Reasonable alternatives are those that meet the project’s purpose and need and will be studied in detail in the Draft EIS. source
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU)
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) is a federal act enacted in 2005. SAFETEA-LU authorizes the Federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and transit for the five-year period 2005-2009 (source). SAFETEA-LU incorporates changes aimed at improving and streamlining the environmental process for transportation projects. These changes, however, come with some additional steps and requirements on transportation agencies. The provisions include a new environmental review process for highways, transit, and multimodal projects, with increased authority for transportation agencies, but also increased responsibilities (e.g., a new category of "participating agencies" and notice and comment related to defining project purpose and need and determining the alternatives). A 180-day statute of limitations is added for litigation, but it is pegged to publication of environmental actions in the Federal Register, which will require additional notices. Limited changes are made to Section 4(f). There are several delegations of authority to States, including delegation of Categorical Exclusions for all states, as well as a 5-state delegation of the USDOT environmental review authority under NEPA and other environmental laws. The air quality conformity process is improved with changes in the frequency of conformity determinations and conformity horizons. source
