Using the Planning and Environment Linkages Umbrella Approach to Streamline Transportation Decision Making

Abstract

The planning and environment linkages (PEL) umbrella approach is designed to streamline the process of project development and environmental review by encouraging agencies to take an integrated, systems perspective to support transportation, environmental, and community goals. The PEL approach provides strategies, practices, processes, and analytical tools that encompass related federal activities including linking planning and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), ecological and context-sensitive solutions, corridor planning, and integrated planning. When successfully implemented, the PEL approach makes the entire life cycle of a project a more seamless process, from planning to NEPA and on to design, construction, and maintenance. The PEL approach is described, federal legislation and related activities are discussed, examples of effective practices are provided, lessons learned are shared, and the reader is directed to additional resources for implementation.