GIS Data and Technology to Support Transportation & MPO Decision-Making & Planning using an Eco-Logical* Approach within the Kansas City Region Authors (in alphabetical order): Tom Gerend, Tom Jacobs, Lisa Pool, and Andrea Repinsky, Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) GIS-T 2009 Symposium, Oklahoma City, OK April 8, 2009, Session 5.2.1 Supported with FHWA Funding to implement multi-agency initiative and publication as *Eco-Logical: An Ecosystem Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects
Presentation Topics Eco-Logical Framework and Initiative MARC Implementation for the Kansas City Region
Multi-Modal
Eco-Logical: Approach to Solutions 1. Inter-agency Steering Team* & strategy 2. Develop/Publish Eco-Logical framework, with signatures from all agencies HQs 3. Engage participants at all levels, both public & private sector 4. To develop & implement strategies (Inter-agency team: 8 federal, 3 state trans, 1 toll agency) Eco-Logical publication online at: http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/ecological/eco_entry.asp
Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) and MPO: Using GIS Data and Tools (http://www.marc.org/) Two states: KS & MO Nine counties 120 cities 1.9 million people 4,400 sq miles Source: Modified excerpts from presentation by Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), Kansas City, MO Full presentation available at: http://www.marc.org/transportation/conservation_workshop08.htm
MARC MPO and Regional Council, Kansas City Region
Policies to Update Long-Range Transportation Plan Policies for Imagine Kansas City : Regional Sustainability Town Hall (on TV, Apr 22, 2009) See http://www.onekcvoice.org/issues/environment/imaginekc
Multi-Level, Multi-Scale Approach and Data to Match Decisions, Planning, and Projects Broad-Scale, Regional Sub-region Detailed, Site (Source: J. Molloy, modified)
Example Data Sources Natural Resource Inventory: Used to Support Integrated Maps and Decisions GIS Data Sources (various formats- Digital, Needed to be Digitized, Field Data Collection): US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supported with funding USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Missouri Spatial Data Information Service (MSDIS) Kansas Data Access and Support Center (DASC) Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Kansas Biological Survey (KBS) Local governments Mid-America Regional Council Applied Ecological Services (consultant in Wisconsin)
Example GIS Map Data Layers: Natural Resource Inventory for MARC Data Listed on Previous Slide Plus Additional Data for Jackson County Data for stream assessments for 3 demonstration watersheds including: field verification of problem areas opportunity areas to treat stream erosion flooding poor water quality stream-related physical data needed for computer modeling
Example GIS Map Data Layers: Natural Resource Inventory for MARC Orthorectified aerial photography/ (2001) Municipal, state, and federal jurisdictional boundaries MARC planning area boundaries MARC s files of roads and similar information Contours and other topography features Land cover data Floodplains and flood-prone areas Streams & water resources National Wetland Inventory (NWI) wetlands and ponds Natural resource inventories and rare natural features Soils, including hydric soils Field data collected (if important to fulfill decision needs)
Natural Resource Inventory Summary of Data Development and Data Conversion and Applicability online Summary of topics listed above and related information provided in Appendix A online at: http://www.marc.org/environment/smart_growth/pdf/appendices.pdf
Metro Green Examples of Data Sources & GIS Maps Summary online at: http://www.marc.org/metrogreen/ - Not all requested GIS data was available (see summary online) - Diverse data from municipalities, counties, & others such as: - Data Source: Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Kansas and Missouri bike plans for existing, planned, proposed Interstates, principal and minor arterials, and collector roads Metro parks - Source: Johnson County: Data - buffers, parks, trails - Source: Wyandotte County: Data - road centerlines, city limits, lakes, parks, railroads, streams - Source: Lee s Summit (CAD files): Data - city limits, creeks, floodplain, greenways - Source: James A. Reed Wildlife Area: Data - lakes, railroads, schools, sewer
Underway - Update to, Integration with Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP 2040) and Regional Transit Vision Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Summary information online at: http://www.marc.org/2040/ Smart Moves Regional Transit Vision: Summary information online at: http://www.kcsmartmoves.org/
Land Use Forecasting Land Use Forecasting Tool and Methods Paint the Town Future land use map folds into LRTP models Summary posted online at: http://www.marc.org/forecast/
Current Land Use: Updating Process Ongoing in Response to Land Use Changes
Future Land Use: Updating Process Ongoing in Response to Land Use Changes
Black circles are examples of areas to focus on for coordination between transportation and natural resources
Experiences that Lead to Next Steps - Sharing, Updating, and Managing Data Diversity of stakeholders and needs - challenge to define data & analysis of most value, multiple benefits Great data exists from agencies as sources but might not be available to others Data overload use data to truly inform decisions and produce meaningful information for the public
Next Steps and Needs Focus: Integrated planning to foster better decision-making Use GIS to support implementation of MARC action plan to integrate transportation, environmental, & land use decisions & on-the-ground outcomes Ongoing updates & improvements: data, technology, & practices Continue interdisciplinary efforts with diverse expertise within MARC staff and external expertise Use GIS maps, tools, and resultant products to support coordination with stakeholders and the public
Next Steps Develop process for collecting, sharing, and updating natural resource and transportation data among agencies FIRST: conduct data needs assessment Data needs identified thus far include: Potential ecological restoration sites Floodplains by soil type Stream quality Better wildlife habitat data More localized natural resource data set (Version 2.0 regional Natural Resources Inventory) Challenges exist but common sense, short-term opportunities (like data integration) are doable Still too project focused transportation and resource agencies need to move from traditional project-based and NEPA approach toward truly integrated planning and decision-making process
Expand from Project by Project, Single Resource, Site by Site - to Integrated Approach Habitat Island Integrated, Interdisciplinary Approach across Agencies and Levels for Multiple, Sustainable Benefits and Outcomes
Eco-Logical Steps to Move Forward: Planning & Project Development & Delivery Integrated Activities: Short-term Mid-term Steps Long-term Steps Actions & Outcomes