Public Outreach 

Who talks to whom? When? In what way(s)? Consultants in the field and the people they encounter. This will include all types of public engagement through project delivery, NEPA, 106, Transportation Planning, Construction, etc.

Section 106 Compliance Across the Modes 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has authorized new infrastructure projects and funding across the US. Many of these projects and funding mechanisms cross multiple surface transportation agencies of the USDOT. For example, projects may include agencies such as the FHWA, FRA, and the FTA. Depending on which agency is the lead and/or co-lead, compliance with Section 106 can be a challenge. Research is needed on best practices and case studies on how to navigate through the Section 106 process when multiple agencies are involved. National research could provide examples of tools to a successful outcome for these projects that have multiple surface transportation agencies involved and may cross federal, state, and local jurisdictions.

Post-War Buildings 

Companion research to post-war residential and commercial studies and provide guidance in the survey and evaluations of postwar institutional buildings, like schools, city halls, libraries and other public buildings.

• Successful communication practices

• Accessible Data

• Linear APE delineation

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requires transportation agencies to consider the effects of their undertakings on historic resources when those undertakings are federally funded. Section 106 of the NHPA also allows for the use of program alternatives to tailor compliance, potentially streamlining Section 106 evaluations for commonly encountered categories of historic resources. This report examines the use of program alternatives by state departments of transportation and explores potential opportunities for additional program alternatives.

• Record URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/180319.aspx

• Availability: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780309674393

• Authors: Graham, Paul and Terry Klein 

This report provides state departments of transportation (DOTs), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs), and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) with an analysis of the common challenges and successful practices related to the development and execution of project-level Programmatic Agreements (PAs). 

• Record URL: https://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/182578.aspx

• Availability: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780309272179

• Supplemental Notes:

  • Submitted July 2021.

• Authors: Pettis, Emily, Dianna Litvak, Tim Smith and Katherine Oldberg​