Integrating Freight into NEPA Analysis
7. Mitigation
Freight-Focused and Freight-Related Projects
The impacts of increased freight activity in the study area will need to be fully evaluated so that measures to mitigate impacts can be developed. There are examples where improved freight transportation has resulted in positive mitigation measures for a community (Alameda Corridor). Considerations may include, but are not limited to: mitigating the impacts of more trains on a local rail line, more trucks on major and minor roadways, or changing truck traffic patterns into and out of a community to access intermodal facilities. Mitigation examples for freight-focused projects include:
- Mitigation measures that directly address the increased freight transportation activity, such as developing sound or visual barriers that reduce the intrusion of freight transportation noise and visual impacts on local neighborhoods;
- Alterations in local transportation networks, such as rerouting truck traffic, and building rail/road or road/road grade separations to minimize the interaction between trucks/trains and autos/pedestrians/bicycles; and
- Improving pedestrian and bicycle access, improving the local network of roads by repaving and repairing, and improve transportation safety within the community may be considered.
Two examples of potential mitigation measures to consider for freight-focused projects include the following:
Example 1: An increasingly popular method to mitigate the air quality impacts of increased truck activity is to accompany freight improvement projects with truck parking locations that have idle emissions reduction technology. Trucks in commercial truck stops or rest areas typically leave their engines running to maintain power in the truck cab while the truck is parked. However, newer technology allows truck drivers to plug into a power source to maintain power to truck systems while turning off the engine. The alternatives generally save fuel and reduce emissions compared to idling the main engine (For a listing of current idle reduction technologies, please visit EPA’s web site at http://www.epa.gov/smartway/transport/what-smartway/idling-reduction-available-tech.htm).
Example 2: Barrier walls are another common mitigation concept for freight-related projects because of their multipurpose functionality. They can be used during the construction process to minimize noise due to construction and, later, freight facility operations. They also can be used as a security feature to inhibit theft both during construction and facility operations. It is important to develop a barrier wall concept that is consistent with the natural surroundings of the project. The Detroit Intermodal Facility Terminal Final EIS provided a specific example of the use of barrier walls for a freight project.
Freight Impact Analysis/Mitigation
Mitigating the impacts of a transportation project on freight facilities and operations will require coordination with the freight stakeholders and the public in some cases. This coordination is important while impact analysis is performed and alternatives are considered, and later when appropriate mitigation is developed. The freight stakeholders have specific knowledge that could be the key to selecting appropriate mitigation measures for each alternative developed. Mitigation of impacts on freight facilities and operations should be tailored to the nature of the impact and the resource. Working with freight stakeholders during the identification of mitigation options is critical to the success of a project. Examples of mitigation for impacts to freight facilities and operations could include but are not limited to:
- Mitigation of impacts to truck operations during construction or reconstruction of a highway could include but are not limited to: a) advance notice of construction schedules to trucking companies that use the corridor; b) posting notices/schedules on corridors removed from the project location but that provide access for truckers to the project corridor (truckers can then plan alternative routing); and c) ensuring that work zone safety measures take into account truck volumes in the corridor.
- The impacts of changing access for trucks into and out of an intermodal facility may require mitigation measures that ensure the continued safe and efficient access for trucks, including geometric design (lane widths and turning radii), pavement design and materials (pavement needs to hold up to truck weights for the long term), potential grade separations, and efficient routing that avoids rerouting trucks through residential communities.
- Changing the traffic patterns (including creation of bike lanes and other livable amenities) into, out of, and within a community may impact truck access to industry; loading docks for hospitals; delivery to stores, etc. Mitigation considerations should be developed among the affected parties and could include but are not limited to: rerouting trucks within the community efficiently to maintain access to facilities; providing areas for loading and unloading trucks on streets (top of the street or bottom of the street) for deliveries to stores, restaurants, and offices; and balancing the location and design of pedestrian and bicycle facilities in corridors that also require truck access.
