Environmental Management
Transportation planning and management require careful
consideration of the impact that transportation activities
have on the environment. GIS is uniquely capable of
assisting transportation professionals to understand
these repercussions and select the most environmentally
sensitive solutions.
GIS helps identify wetlands, drainage areas, and
sensitive habitats as well as evaluate and manage the
effects of storm water runoff on water quality. With GIS,
transportation planners can understand the impact of
land-use decisions and evaluate smart-growth alternatives,
leading to more livable communities.
GIS integrates environmental factors with land-use
and housing and employment density analysis to help
communities address growth issues. The ability to
visualize alternative options on a common platform allows
differing parties to reach a consensus when dealing with
an environmentally sensitive matter.