Development

Development of a world-class transportation system means achieving our Nation?s mobility goals while ensuring that transportation decisions protect and enhance the natural environment and our communities. The transportation system is vital to our economy and quality of life, provides worldwide access to products and markets, and supports our Nation?s productivity. It also provides valued mobility for people, including access to jobs, services and recreational opportunities.
Yet transportation also creates unintended consequences on the natural environment and communities. Construction, maintenance, and operation of the transportation system affect air, water, soil, and biological resources, as well as neighborhoods and communities. This reality has imposed tremendous responsibilities on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that go far beyond its traditional role of enhancing mobility. Transportation agencies must comply with various federal environmental statutes and regulations as they
carry out transportation planning and project development.
However, compliance with the law is only part of FHWA?s obligation to the environment. FHWA is committed to environmental stewardship, striving to ensure that all of its programs and activities preserve and enhance the natural environment, the built environment, and the social environment of our Nation?s communities. This commitment requires a vigorous program of research, technology transfer, and training. FHWA?s Environmental Research Program is designed to meet this need.