WASHINGTON, D.C. - A report conducted by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), administered by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) concludes that state transportation departments are no longer brushing aside environmental concerns in the name of transportation.

According to a recent AASHTO press release, the report cites projects in 11 states from Florida to California. It focuses on a variety of ways in which transportation project development has advanced, including:

-process management

-improved scoping

-visualization techniques

-technology application

-context-sensitive design

-conflict avoidance and

dispute resolution

Case studies range from the New York State Department of Transportation's "New Ethic" Environmental Initiative to the South Carolina Sandy Island Mitigation in which an entire ecosystem was protected from commercial development, providing wetlands and habitat for endangered species. Other transportation projects are included from California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin.

"These are all 'good news' stories that deserve to be told," said AASHTO Executive Director John Horsely. "State transportation departments today are listening to our customers--and nowhere is that more evident than in the state DOTs commitment to develop transportation projects in a way that also enhances the environment. That is what the public expects and we must deliver."

Copies of the report are available from AASHTO headquarters by calling (202) 624-5800, or via the organization's Web site at www.transportation.org.