Summary: | Identifying project purpose and need is one of the most important components of the transportation project development process. The purpose and need statement is intended to clarify the expected outcome of a public expenditure and to justify that expenditure. A well-written purpose and need statement helps to: avoid developing an ill-conceived project; develop a shared understanding of the transportation problems, objectives and possible solutions; define a project’s scope; guide development of alternatives; evaluate alternatives; allow transportation decisions to be legally defensible; justify impacts and spending of funds; and justify projects for programming.
This webinar training will familiarize participants with purpose and need requirements, provide guidance on how to develop quality purpose and need statements, and acquaint participants with recent updates to Publication 319.
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Learning Outcomes: | 1. Define purpose and need and its importance in planning and project development
2. Discuss the role of purpose and need in the NEPA decision-making process
3. Describe when to develop purpose and need and who is responsible
4. Explain how to document purpose and need
5. Identify what constitutes a well prepared, project-specific purpose and need
6. Describe the updated Publication 319 content
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Target Audience: | • PennDOT environmental staff, planners, program center staff, project development engineers, and project managers
• Planning Partners
• Business Partners (planners, environmental specialists, engineers, etc.)
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Final Exam: | No |
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