ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON HIGHWAY GEOMETRIC DESIGN IN WESTERN EUROPE BASED ON A GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM

Attempts were made to reveal the interrelationships between environmental impacts and other important planning goals as well as between the design flow in modern highway geometric design guidelines, with special emphasis placed on environmental protection issues. The governments of most western European countries have enacted laws requiring Environmental Compatibility Examinations for traffic projects and also require engineers to conduct environmental compatibility studies (ECSs) that assess environmental impacts when planning highways. These studies must always be done before starting the design and construction phases of a highway construction project and must examine all existing natural, ecological, and cultural resources that are important to the integrity of an observed region. The ECS consists of two parts: (a) a space-related sensitivity investigation and (b) a comparison of alternatives. Geographical Information Systems (GISs) are recommended for use in conducting those studies. A case study involving a sensitivity investigation with thematic maps based on digitized geographical information is described. The thematic maps were developed to portray important environmental resources. By using a computer-supported GIS examination procedure, the thematic maps were superimposed, weighted, and evaluated to develop a new map. The new map, which incorporates those environmental resources, is used to identify the low-conflict corridor (the corridor that minimizes environmental effects) in the investigated region. Incorporation of the new design component, an ECS, into a computerized GIS format is a significant step forward in helping to present such work to the public for clearer understanding and general approval. It is recommended that future editions of the Green Book include material on ECSs.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References;
  • Pagination: p. 54-63
  • Monograph Title: Cross section and alinement design issues
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00675330
  • Record Type: Publication
  • ISBN: 0309060516
  • Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
  • Created Date: Mar 20 1995 12:00AM