Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study
Where We Started
Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL)
About the PEL Process
The Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) process is a collaborative and integrated approach to transportation decision-making that considers environmental, community and economic goals early in the transportation planning process.
Why It's Important
The PEL process brings environmental considerations and stakeholder engagement into the planning phase as the project is defined. Doing so allows these inputs to be included in early decisions and reduces duplication of work during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process that follows. The PEL process also supports improved relationships between project sponsors, partner agencies and the public.
Benefits of PEL Studies
- Enable agencies to be more effective players in the transportation decision-making process
- Improve efficiencies by minimizing potential duplication of planning and NEPA processes
- Design transportation programs and projects that serve communities’ needs more effectively through coordination with resource agencies and the public
Findings
The 80/94 FlexRoad PEL study determined the purpose and need for the project and developed the alternatives to be studied in greater detail. The PEL Study Report was approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) In April 2022.
Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Outcomes
Purpose & Need
Two primary needs have been identified for the 80/94 FlexRoad project:
- Recurring traffic congestion – bottleneck locations that result in travel time delays, low travel speeds, and unacceptable levels of service, and
- Safety – segments of high crash rates in the corridor.
The purpose of the project is to identify corridor improvements that will:
- Increase the operational efficiency of the corridor by reducing travel times and increasing travel time reliability, and
- Improve safety in the corridor by reducing crashes.
Alternatives Studied
Four alternatives were identified in the PEL study and were studied in greater detail during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study. The Project Team examined benefits, impacts and costs of the alternatives to identify anticipated improvements. The NEPA study is required for any project that will receive federal funding.
The alternatives all include Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) strategies, including dynamic shoulder lanes, variable speed limits, ramp metering, lane control and queue warning systems. Each alternative includes a combination of strategies with increasing amounts of complementary benefits.
