Remote sensing framework for transportation infrastructure environmental assessment

Environmental decisions regarding transportation Infrastructure activities are among the most difficult facing transportation decision makers. A myriad factors, laws, and regulations combine to complicate achieving timely consensus and effective decisions. Also, environmental assessment costs a lot of money and takes significant period of time. State DOTs are seeking transportation development decisions and operations that would provide maximum mobility while protecting important human and natural environmental resources. Nowadays, there are no rules per se as to how to conduct an environmental assessment using geospatial data. The particular objective of each assessment is dictated on case-by case based on what information and analyses are required. In this paper, a framework for transportation infrastructure environmental assessment is presented. Remote sensing, image processing, data fusion modules, and GIS technologies will be utilized to develop a cohesive and integrated system to facilitate rational environmental decisions associated with transportation projects through cost-effective coordination of environmental information and data management. This will greatly enhance the ability of transportation agencies to be effective steward of the environment while carrying out its mission.