Current Department of Transportation Environmental Management System Development Efforts

Abstract

This paper examines how the environmental management system (EMS) at departments of transportation (DOTs) has evolved and provides examples of recent developments and practices that other DOTs can consider and use as a source in an evolving EMS. A number of practical insights can be gained by examining EMS experiences at several DOTs. Generally, the EMSs that have delivered benefits have had successful mechanisms for monitoring effectiveness, incorporating lessons learned, and managing continual improvement. They have relied tactically on what exists already, are geared toward the organization's mission, and seek to support success in nonenvironmental areas. They build on vigorous environmental programs, have procedures that can be integrated as much as possible into current routine practices, and strive to demystify environmental compliance for both DOT and contractor personnel. DOTs in the vanguard have focused on increased compliance assurance and cost-effectiveness, adoption and development of best management practices and sustainability practices, enhanced land and resource use planning and management, accelerating and streamlining the project delivery processes, and improved intergovernmental relationships and stakeholder confidence. Challenges commonly include coping with the demands of intensive up-front effort with limited staff time, realistically quantifying resource requirements, and establishing straightforward metrics for monitoring. Effective management has been enhanced in some cases by using information technology tools, which facilitate the flow of environmental information; tracking metrics; tracking project schedules, budgets, and personnel; communicating corporate knowledge; analyzing impacts; and using geo-references for planning stage decision making.