Planning and Environmental Linkages

What is Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL)?

In 2021, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Offices of Planning jointly issued updated Planning Emphasis Areas, and PEL was one of those eight Planning Emphasis Areas:

  • PEL represents a collaborative and integrated approach to transportation decision-making that considers benefits and impacts of proposed transportation system improvements to the environment, community, and economy during the transportation planning process.

  • PEL accelerates project delivery. Agencies can agree to a project’s purpose and need, define the preliminary range of alternatives, eliminate unreasonable alternatives, and begin public involvement and documentation of planning decisions through PEL.

  • PEL offers flexibility in funding. Surface Transportation Program Block Grant [STPBG] funds can be used for aspects of PEL studies, including corridor and feasibility studies, which can be used to accelerate project delivery.

Source: Michigan DOT

RPCGB / Birmingham MPO planning related efforts

The Birmingham MPO is encouraged to incorporate PEL into its transportation plans in consultation with local, state, federal, and resource agency partners.

Transportation Project Feasibility Studies (APPLE Grant Program)

  • Click here to learn more about the grant program and see a list of completed studies

2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)

  • Appendix C Environmental Justice - Since the 1990s, an emphasis on environmental justice has been an integral part of the transportation planning process for urban regions in the United States. This appendix identifies the Environmental Justice Areas (EJAs) in the region by minority populations and low-income populations. In particular, Figure 3 shows how 26 out of the 48 fiscally constrained non-except capacity projects fall within EJAs, while Table 3 identifies the potential benefit/burden for projects in or abutting an EJA.

  • Appendix F Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Strategies - Any transportation projects identified in the RTP that will receive federal funds or federal approval will be subject to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. Thus, this appendix includes regional data on potential project impacts to wetlands, floodplains, water quality, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, farmland, parks and recreational areas and hazardous materials sites. Also included in this appendix is a discussion on environmental mitigation strategies and transportation system resilience. Note, this appendix does not replace a project-level environmental review.

Regional Toolkit for creating more Resilient Communities

The RPCGB Planning Department is currently in the process of developing a project entitled the Regional Toolkit for Creating More Resilient Communities. Many U.S. cities are adopting new regulations, policies and design guidelines to make the built environment more resilient to flooding, heat, humidity, extreme weather events, and other hazards. Currently, no resiliency toolkit exists that recommends a range of appropriate strategies that are suitable to the local Birmingham region and climate. This Toolkit is intended to fill this gap in available resources as one that that the RPCGB can offer to its local municipalities.

This Toolkit will combine best practice resources, illustrations, and regulatory tools to provide guidance to communities on the following topics:

  • Adapting to flooding and extreme precipitation

  • Adapting to extreme heat

  • Incorporating more renewable forms of energy

  • Preparing for disaster recovery

  • Incorporating sustainable transportation infrastructure

Resources For Planning And Environment Linkages

FHWA PEL Website

EPA NEPAassist

The Environmental Protection Agency’s NEPAssist is a free online tool that supports consideration of environmental issues in the planning process. This mapping application compiles EPA and other federal Geographic Information System (GIS) databases in location. This can be used to efficiently assess environmental factors in a project’s area of interest early on in project development.

EPA EJSCREEN

The Environmental Protection Agency’s EJSCREEN aids agencies in addressing environmental justice by identifying areas with potential environmental quality issues, minority and/or low-income populations, or a combination of environmental and demographic indicators that is greater than usual. EJScreen can be used to quickly develop consistent demographic reports and maps for informational and planning purposes.