Planning & Environmental

Planning and Environmental

Transportation Planning and NEPA (the National Environmental Policy Act) present serious challenges that lead to decisions that last for generations. Getting it right means getting on with major projects that improve the quality of life. Getting it wrong…well, you won’t go there because we don’t go there. Qk4 is consistently called upon to undertake the tough projects, our experience has taught us the importance of taking seriously the responsibility that accompanies the execution of the NEPA and planning process. Our successes highlight our ability to help you make the best decisions and advance your project toward construction.

NEPA-related tasks range from the Minor Categorical Exclusions (CEs) to the extensive Environmental Impact Statement/Records of Decision (EIS/ROD) documentation. Our experience positions us to be equipped in successfully delivering federal approvals and funds.

Our approach to transportation planning is a cooperative process that promotes involvement by those who use or could be affected by the transportation system—from residents of a single neighborhood to everyone in a multi-county/state region. From community involvement to data modeling and analysis, our services stay focused on the key issue: improving the quality of life for the traveling public and affected communities. We have conducted transportation planning projects for numerous communities and private developers across the country—projects that have included a variety of scopes and issues.

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TRANSPORTATION PLANNING

We can undertake all facets of the transportation planning process including: data collection, traffic modeling/projections, corridor and alignment studies, traffic impact studies, and identification of financing methods/sources. We work with rural, urban, and regional entities to accomplish essential transportation planning tasks.

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING TASKS

“Just wanted to drop a quick note and tell you both how pleased I am with Annette and her team on the Lewis/Rowan Corridor planning study. She came up to the office yesterday, with Tom Clouse and Larry Ginthum, and provided updates and details on our upcoming public meeting, as well as providing some answers to our questions of a future alignment possibility.

Although I am telling you what you already know, I just want to confirm in your minds that they are doing a great job, and I appreciate the thoroughness and details on a project study that is still in the very early stages.”

Bart Bryant, PE
Chief District Engineer – District 9

Transportation Planning Tasks

We can undertake all facets of the transportation planning process for a variety of clients, including: data collection, traffic modeling/projections, corridor and alignment studies, traffic impact studies, and public involvement. We work with rural, urban, and regional entities to accomplish essential transportation planning tasks:

Inventory of existing transportation conditions.
Inventory of existing transportation conditions.
Forecasting future conditions, given current and expected future trends.
Identifying current and projected future transportation problems and needs.
Identifying current and projected future transportation problems and needs.
Identify major growth corridors.
Identifying major growth corridors.
Analyze alternative improvement strategies to address the identified needs.
Estimate the impact of recommended future improvements to the transportation system on environmental features.
Pinpoint low-cost strategies that can be implemented immediately.
Develop short-range and long-range plans and programs to arrive at desired future conditions, while safely and efficiently moving people and goods.
Develop a financial plan for securing sufficient revenues to cover the costs of implementing strategies.

THE EVALUATION PROCESS

The Evaluation Process

We prepare comprehensive transportation planning studies to evaluate improvement options including transit, bicycle, and pedestrian needs. Our studies recommend alternatives that include:

Corridor Plans
Alternative Studies
Interchange Justification and Modification Studies
Feasibility Studies
Safety Audits
Traffic Forecasts and Modeling
Small Area Plans.
Land Use and Transportation Master Plans.
Streetscape Beautification Plans.
Multi-Modal Studies.
Complete Street Policies and Plans.

Each of our studies recommends alternatives that are responsive to public input, meets mobility needs safely and efficiently, and promotes environmental stewardship and smart growth principles.

TRAFFIC ENGINEERING

We perform all facets of traffic engineering and have used our technical expertise in assisting both our public and private clients in moving vehicles from place to place as efficiently and safely as possible.

Using Miovision traffic camera devices, tubes, and Jamar equipment we have collected data under every condition. Our traffic forecasting has been performed for highway projects as well as small area planning studies. Forecasting complexity ranges from use of statewide models to analyzing a new bypass or interchange using TransCAD. Traffic services include:

Traffic Services

Data collection
Traffic forecasting
Capacity analysis
Parking studies
Origin-destination studies
Sign and marking plans
Traffic modeling
Corridor and alignment studies
Traffic management plans
Traffic impact studies
Traffic counting

ENVIRONMENTAL

NEPA is considered an umbrella policy and a process law. Our firm has been implementing the NEPA process for numerous federal projects and our goal is always to appropriately address the significant issues and, thus, obtain a signed document. Our process considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning phase and carries them through all subsequent phases of project development. Our avenue for success is constant communication, innovative public involvement, proficient coordination with federal regulatory agencies, and employment of environmental experts throughout the decision-making process.

Through our proven experience, we understand the legal and environmental issues and processes necessary for NEPA documentation, including: Section 4(f), Section 106, threatened and endangered species, hazardous materials, air and water quality, environmental justice (EJ), indirect and cumulative impacts, and all other elements.

Our NEPA “Subject Matter” Expertise Includes:

Environmental Overviews
Air Quality Modeling and Mobile Source Air Toxics Qualitative Analysis
Noise Modeling and Analysis
Socioeconomic and Environmental Justice Impacts
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)
Section 106 Coordination and Management
Public Involvement
NEPA Documentation

Noise Analysis

Our staff is experienced with state and federal noise policies and procedures, and can produce well-documented traffic noise studies for Type I and Type II barriers. By actively participating in meetings with residents in a project’s vicinity, Qk4 takes the time to explain the noise analysis process and listen to the concerns of those who may be affected by noise associated with the project.

Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

Qk4 has the experience and tools to produce Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) for clients concerned about potential hazardous materials for a proposed project. Our environmental team adheres to the “All Appropriate Inquiries” rule developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in concert with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), International Standards.

NEPA Documents

There is a broad range of NEPA documents and a certain way federal agencies approach them. Qk4 has authored short CEs for local governments, as well as multi-volume Tiered EISs for major bi-state projects. For each, success is in the details of the documentation and listening to the clients’ needs. The objectives are to document the process, the project, the impacts and the mitigation, in the spirit of full disclosure and project advancement.