Environmental Process Strategies for New Technology: Baltimore-Washington Maglev Project

This paper describes the strategies used to complete a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a 40- mile Magnetic Levitation Project in a variety of land uses between Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC in just 24 months. The process involved a total of 20 participating agencies. Included is a description of the technical processes and public and community outreach efforts that are unique to this innovative propulsion and levitation technology. Approaches covered by the paper are: 1. Developing a NEPA process flowchart using streamlining and agency concurrence 2. Conducting a comprehensive scoping process 3. Understanding and ability to present details of the new technology with particular emphasis on electromagnetic forces, electromagnetic interference, noise and vibration, and interaction of operations with wildlife. 4. Performing a robust Alternatives Analysis, including early identification of all reasonable and feasible alternatives, an iterative screening process, evaluation of critical factors, and comparison of impacts, ending with a relative ranking based on best and worst case in each class. 5. Conducting extensive and innovative public outreach and agency coordination efforts throughout the process.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Cheskey, Mark Anthony
  • Kinstlinger, Jack
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 85th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2006-1-22 to 2006-1-26
• Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 12p
• Monograph Title: TRB 85th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers CD-ROM

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Environmental impact analysis; Environmental impact statements; Environmental policy; Flow charts; Magnetic levitation; Public participation; Technological innovations
• Geographic Terms: Baltimore (Maryland); Washington (District of Columbia)
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Environment; Highways; Policy; Public Transportation; Society; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01025633
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 06-1214
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jun 8 2006 11:26AM