REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3

REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3

REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3

NCRST-E TASKS

1. Assess viability of identifying, via remote sensing, features that influence design, construction, maintenance, and operation of transportation facilities.

REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3

NCRST-E TASKS

2. Assess cost & accuracy of current practices to accomplish these identification processes to form baseline against which remote sensing alternatives can be measured.

REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3

NCRST-E TASKS

3. Identify and test potential remote sensing techniques that could support or replace current practice.

REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3

Proposed Products1. Wide area traffic phenomena to build better

forecast & simulation models2. Precisely locate transportation infrastructures,

wetlands, floral and faunal habitats, farmland, forests, geological features, & standing structures

3. Not included in this list, but appropriate additions, could be cultural resources, especially archaeological sites, and recreational resources

4. A digital terrain model5. Floodplains and evacuation routes6. Existing drainage structures.

REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3

What are our Tasks?

What data do we need and in what sequence?

REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3

Our No. 1 Task is to begin recording constraints and possible alignments. We cannot prepare an Environmental Impact Statement without a physical description of the project.

The No. 1 item that we need is a digital image of the corridor under study.

REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3

The No. 2 item that we need would be contours at intervals of 5 feet or less.

In Remote Sensing terms, we need a digital terrain model as soon as possible.

REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3

The No. 3 task is the Agency and Public Involvement process

REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3

What other data is needed as soon as possible?The existing roadway traffic counts,

intersections and links, and the most up-to-date forecasts

Similar data for other modes

Land Use, especially to determine sensitive noise and air receptors

Wetlands

Floodplains

Water Quality

Air Quality

Ambient Noise

Environmental Justice

REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3

Continued…Recreation and other public lands,

especially Section 6(f) properties.Cultural Resources and other Section 4(f)

propertiesPublic FacilitiesFarmlandFloral and Faunal HabitatsExisting Hazardous sitesAnd more…

REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3

How do we usually obtain this data?Local, State, and Federal resource agencies

Environmental documents for recent projects in the area

Original Research, usually by specialist sub-consultants

REMOTE SENSING and the CSX RAIL RELOCATION EIS NCRST-E GICAP 2002 Workshop Session 3