• ERP Significant Accomplishments in the 1990s

While numerous research products were developed under the ERP during the 1990s, this section highlights a representative set of accomplishments in each of the three broad focus areas: Natural Environment, Human Environment, and Integrated Decisionmaking. These accomplishments illustrate the types of research undertaken through the ERP—analytical, technical, policy, and planning.
Much of the environmental research conducted during the 1990s was in the form of guidance and tools for use by State DOTs and MPOs in making transportation decisions. Over the years, however, new transportation legislation and environmental standards have affected the research perspectives and needs of States and local communities. As those needs and requirements changed, we refocused our research goals, products, and support to reflect and meet them. The FHWA will continue its environmental research responsiveness by developing and improving prediction models, conducting natural resource analyses, and promoting sound environmental practices.

A complete listing of research projects completed during the 1990s or underway is included as the Appendix to this report.

Natural Environment

• Global Climate Change Literature Review

This comprehensive literature review of issues related to transportation and global climate change is intended to assist policymakers in initiating the discussion over transportation’s role in the global climate change debate during the post-Kyoto era. This review is particularly timely because of the increased attention to global climate change over the past few years, the agreements reached in Kyoto, and the substantial role of transportation in the creation of greenhouse gases (C02).

• Transportation Conformity Reference Guide

This product provides a comprehensive reference tool on all elements of the transportation conformity process and is designed for transportation agency planners, policy makers, and technical staffs. The guide is organized so that it is easy to look up information on a specific topic or to find more comprehensive information on procedural issues related to the conformity process (e.g., interagency consultation, project level analysis, etc.). Over 40 exhibits are provided to visually portray various elements of the conformity process, and extensive references are provided in each chapter and in the bibliography. The FHWA intends to keep this guide updated so that it may serve as a resource for States and MPOs that are required to comply with the transportation conformity requirements as they evolve.

• Evaluation of the MOBILE Vehicle Emission Model

Under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the EPA requires that States (except California) and MPOs use the MOBILE model for forecasting motor vehicle emissions. Pursuant to the transportation conformity process, the analysis that results from use of the MOBILE model along with regional travel demand forecasts is the basis on which transportation conformity is determined. Since the model has changed over time, this paper was important to users in the mid-1990s because it illustrated the differences between MOBILE 4 and 5 and offered important pointers to modelers in States and MPOs. The EPA is currently working on releasing MOBILE 6, which, once released, will become the required emissions model for all states except California. When MOBILE 6 is released, the FHWA will provide technical assistance to States and MPOs on the use of the model for mobile source emissions forecasting.