Using a Multiple Criteria Decision-Making Model to Streamline and Enhance NEPA and Public Participation Processes

Abstract

The use of existing data from remote sensing technologies, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and economic modeling can be integrated in a visual Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) tool that can aid in streamlining and enhancing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and public participation. The interoperability of different data outputs provides researchers and practitioners the ability to produce high quality visualizations that can enhance the communication of proposed projects and the projected economic and social impacts on a community and surrounding area. User priority and value inputs combined with the high quality visualizations in a MCDM tool can provide multiple alignment alternatives for each transportation project participant. By providing additional and improved data through a new decision-making tool, ECO-PAL, researchers and practitioners will be able to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the efforts regarding NEPA development and make “every day count.”