摘要: |
This report provides an evaluation of methodologies for visual impact assessment (VIA). The report (a) evaluates state department of transportation (DOT) VIA procedures, methods, and practices that satisfy or exceed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other requirements; (b) documents the use of different methodologies and approaches used by DOTs; (c) describes decision making frameworks used at state DOTs to undertake specific VIA techniques for a given project; (d) documents proven successful methods; (e) describes best practices illustrated by model case studies; and (f) documents promising new developments. The report will be of broad interest to state, regional, and local planners, project development staff, and environmental staff. NEPA requires that visual impacts be considered for transportation projects. In 1981, to assist state DOTs, FHWA developed Visual Impact Assessment for Highway Projects to provide guidance in analyzing and quantifying visual impacts for highway proposals. Throughout the country, this remains the standard methodology to identify visual impacts for highway improvements. In recent years, some DOTs have modified this methodology to meet their needs. To fully integrate VIAs with other resource assessments, there was a critical need to understand the usefulness of different methodologies for evaluating visual impacts of highway design. |