The Stream by AASHTO

Planning and Environmental Linkages or PEL represents a collaborative and integrated approach to transportation decision-making that 1) considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the transportation planning process, and 2) uses the information, analysis, and products developed during planning to inform the environmental review process.

The benefits include: Improved relationships with stakeholders; improved project delivery timelines; and better transportation programs and projects.

More information about PEL can be found at the Center for Environmental Excellence website, environment.transportation.org.

Episode explores active transportation.

Host: Bernie Wagenblast

Guest: Toks Omishakin, Director, California Department of Transportation

Hawaii is no stranger to natural disasters — over the course of several months between 2018-2019, the state faced flooding, landslides and volcanic eruptions.  In this episode, Ed Sniffen, Hawaii DOT deputy director for Highways, explains how HDOT plans and prepares to ensure organizational resilience. 

Host: Bernie Wagenblast

Guest: Ed Sniffen, Hawaii DOT deputy director for Highways

Arizona DOT's Senior Program Manager Steve Olmsted describes his agency's virtual public hearing and lessons learned from the experience.

ETAP Podcast host Bernie Wagenblast interviews Minnesota DOT Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher about her state's perspectives on environmental sustainability. Commissioner Anderson Kelliher, who serves as chairperson of AASHTO's Committee on Environment and Sustainability, says that her state looks for the "triple bottom line" when evaluating sustainability - how it affects the health of people, and how it impacts the environment and the economy. More information, visit https://scoe.transportation.org/. 

The ETAP Podcast is published on the first Wednesday of the month. ETAP is an environmental technical assistance program for state departments of transportation provided by AASHTO, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. More information, https://environment.transportation.org/.