Overview of Transportation Ecology

Tools here are specifically selected to be useful for natural resource agency biologists and engineers working on public lands. Dive deep into these sections, because there are many examples.

• Large Scale Transportation Planning
• Highway Development Projects
• Integrated Large Scale and Project-Level Planning
• Tools and Examples for FLMAs
• Retrofitting Existing Structures for Wildlife Passage
• Monitoring Tools
• Funding Opportunities

Decision Support Tools for Large Scale/Long Term Transportation Planning

Transportation departments typically distinguish planning for highways at two levels. The long term, strategic level is called ‘transportation planning’. It can be as much as 20 years in the future.

Tools for public land managers in this section include ‘getting out ahead’ strategies so that all agencies have a place at the planning table early enough for every agency’s missions to be heard and considered. More »

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Decision Support Tools for Highway Development Projects

Highway development projects are fast-paced and complex. Many natural resource managers are overwhelmed by the time constraints and information requested by DOTs or FLHP. This section is designed to provide some of the tools to help biologists and other natural resource specialists respond in a timely and effective manner to highway development projects. More »

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Integrated Large Scale and Project-Level Planning

Learn about some of the initiatives where natural resource management agencies are coordinating with transportation agencies. More »

Tools and Examples for FLMAs

Here you will find examples of products that others have developed for highway development projects or larger scale planning. More »

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Retrofitting Existing Structures for Wildlife Passage: Assessment Tools

Retrofitting existing structures to enable animals to use them for passage across highways is possibly the most cost-efficient method of increasing the number and type of passage opportunities across the country. More »

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Monitoring Tools

Included in this section are examples and discussion on evaluating the effectiveness of crossing structures. Agencies are encouraged to seek assistance of qualified scientists to help identify objectives and develop a rigorous study plan prior to construction. More »

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Funding Opportunities

Funding can come from many sources and can change annually from state to state with each new surface transportation bill. Special grants or other opportunities are also important funding sources to consider. More »

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