Highway Location Study CE 453 Lecture 4 See also lab 2 and lab 4 instructions, and EIS lecture notes See also 04 DOT development process.doc Refs: Virginia Location Planning Ref. Wisconsin Law Iowa DOT Office of Location and Environment

Basic Principles for Hwy Location Roadway elements (curvature, grade, etc) must blend with each other to produce a system that provides for the easy flow of traffic at the design capacity, while meeting design criteria and safety standards. Should cause minimal disruption to historic and archeological sites and other land-use activities Garber and Hoel, 2002

Factors Considered in the Location Process Topography Social and demographic (including land use and zoning patterns) Terrain and soil conditions Garber and Hoel, 2002

Factors Considered in the Location Process Directness of route Serviceability of route to industrial and population areas Crossing of other transportation facilities (roads, railroads, rivers) –Intersect other roads at right angle Garber and Hoel, 2002

Factors Considered in the Location Process Environmental –Animal habitat –Location of recreational, historic and archeological sites –Noise, air, and water pollution Garber and Hoel, 2002

Factors Considered in the Location Process Economic –Construction –Maintenance costs –Road user costs –Road user benefits (i.e. travel time) –Adverse effects such as dislocation of people or businesses Garber and Hoel, 2002

Factors Considered in the Location Process Iowa DOT considers safety in the planning stage as well –i.e. paved shoulders Garber and Hoel, 2002

Location Steps Identify corridor limits Identify 3 classes of geographic constraint –No-build, somewhat sensitive, potential use Define alternative alignments – each one different to satisfy EIS requirements

Avoid or minimize impact on … Recreation and parks Public utilities Neighborhoods Religious institutions, cemeteries

Avoid or minimize impact on … Ecologically sensitive areas Natural and historical landmarks Businesses

Nice example of a project web site – PennDOT See “mapping” and other nice features of project web site

HOW IS HIGHWAY LOCATION DETERMINED? When Your Land Is Needed For Highway Use Author: Stephen D. Holowach 7/23/99 It is PennDOT’s goal to establish the most direct and useable highway facility at the least possible cost to the public. To accomplish this, PennDOT undertakes intensive studies on several possible routes in order to find the route that will result in the least possible inconvenience or injury to the public and the private landowner. Statistical data concerning the economy, population needs and traffic volume trends are analyzed for the area under study. Aerial and ground surveys are made, and consideration is given to such factors as safety, drainage and soil types. In addition, public meetings are held to discuss the proposed alternate locations.

RIGHT-OF-WAY? Right-of-Way is the term used to describe the right to pass over another’s land. When the Commonwealth acquires land for Highway Purposes it is actually obtaining “Right-of-Way” over land on which a public road ultimately will be built. It is a Constitutional right of the Commonwealth to acquire land for public purposes The term used to describe this right to acquire land, is “Eminent Domain”. Eminent Domain states that it is the inherent right of the State to acquire land when it is needed for public use. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will execute this right only when it will benefit the public.

What does a location study include? (VDOT) coalfieldprocess.asp coalfieldprocess.asp coalfieldprocess.asp Starting a location study involves fully defining the project, or "scoping" as it is often called. This process is an opportunity to identify issues and obtain comments from agencies, jurisdictions and the public early in the planning process. A "purpose and need" statement and the goals and objectives of the Location Study will be developed.

What does a location study include? (VDOT) coalfieldprocess.asp Alternatives Identification VDOT's Study Team will use technical data such as traffic counts and aerial mapping and early environmental evaluations to develop several possible road locations, or alternatives, within the Coalfields Expressway Study corridor. The goal of this phase is to identify reasonable alternatives that consider the input provided from communities, businesses and individuals as well as regional concerns. In developing alternatives, the Study Team will consider a number of new locations as well as upgrades of existing roads such as Virginia Route 83. The team will look at the deficiencies of the existing transportation network, including safety concerns and any planned improvements along the study corridor.

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