BACKGROUND 

The integration of public health outcomes into transportation planning and decision-making processes is essential to create sustainable, resilient, equitable, and healthy communities. Transportation directly impacts public health outcomes, including physical activity levels, air quality, safety, and access to everyday destinations. Everyday destinations refer to places associated with access to work, school, recreation, and food. Policies and decisions related to transportation infrastructure, land use, and the built environment can have different impacts on public health outcomes that can lead to health disparities and inequities. Historically underserved communities often bear a disproportionate burden of negative health impacts and experience few positive benefits associated with transportation investments. Evaluating the effectiveness of policy interventions and successful practices for incorporating public health considerations is crucial for improving transportation planning processes.  

Several challenges exist in incorporating public health outcomes into the transportation planning and decision-making processes. Public health agencies and transportation agencies often operate with limited collaboration and coordination. The limited interdisciplinary cooperation poses challenges in aligning public health goals with transportation plans and policies. There is limited documented research on successful collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships between public health and transportation organizations, though the two are closely linked. While some health evaluation tools exist, there is a need for tools that can be readily integrated into transportation decision-making from concept development to post-implementation. This may include tools such as evaluation frameworks, methodologies, comprehensive data, and metrics. 

Transportation decision-makers need research-derived tools to help determine the public health outcomes of transportation projects, inform policies, and help prioritize proposed projects. 

OBJECTIVE 

The objective of this research is to develop a guide that details how to (1) integrate public health outcomes into transportation decision-making and resource allocation; and (2) assess positive public health outcomes related to physical activity, mobility options, and access to everyday destinations. The guide shall include an evaluation framework and metrics and be accompanied by a spreadsheet tool. 

Accomplishment of the project objective will require at least the following tasks. 

TASKS 

Task descriptions are intended to provide a framework for conducting the research. The NCHRP is seeking the insights of proposers on how best to achieve the research objective. Proposers are expected to describe research plans that can realistically be accomplished within the constraints of available funds and contract time. Proposals must present the current thinking in sufficient detail to demonstrate their understanding of the issues and the soundness of their approach to meeting the research objective. 

When developing the research approach, consideration should be given, but not limited to, the following factors that have been less researched to date: 

• Active transportation; 
• Green infrastructure;
• Equity; and
• Nontraditional and non-transportation use of rights-of-way. 

Other areas of consideration may include: 

• Human behavior; and 
• Environmental impact. 

PHASE I 

Task 1. Prepare a literature review on incorporating public health outcomes into the transportation planning and decision-making processes. Include gray literature. 

Task 2. Identify and evaluate existing health and transportation tools and their potential use in transportation planning and decision-making processes. Prepare a comparison matrix showing factors such as attributes, limitations, overlaps, differences, and potential uses. 

Task 3. Identify the challenges and opportunities of successful collaborations between public health and transportation professionals and provide examples. Include current and potential funding sources that allow joint activities between transportation and public health activities. Prepare a state-of-practice review with successful practices. 

Task 4. Prepare an interim report that summarizes the findings from Tasks 1 through 3 and a detailed Phase II work plan that describes how the findings of Tasks 1 through 3 will inform Phase II. 

Note: NCHRP approval of the Phase I Interim Report and the proposed update to the Phase II work plan are required prior to initiation. This shall occur at a virtual meeting with the NCHRP project panel. The NCHRP will cover the costs of teleconference services. 

PHASE II 

Task 5. Identify metrics and key performance indicators that assess public health outcomes of transportation planning and decision-making and facilitate evidence-based policy development and implementation. 

Task 6. Identify, modify, or develop an evaluation framework that includes projects from transportation concept development to post-implementation phases. Include a discussion on quantifiable benefits. 

Task 7. Prepare an annotated outline of the proposed guide. 

Task 8. Prepare an interim report that summarizes the findings from Tasks 5 through 7 and provides a detailed Phase III work plan. 

Note: NCHRP approval of the Phase II interim report and the proposed update to the Phase III work plan are required prior to initiation. This shall occur at a face-to-face meeting with the NCHRP project panel to be convened in Washington, DC, at the Keck Center. The NCHRP will cover the costs associated with meetings at NCHRP facilities, teleconference services, and panel member travel. 

PHASE III 

Task 9. Without the use of third-party software, develop a basic public health and transportation investment spreadsheet decision-support tool that shall demonstrate the linkage between transportation investment and public health outcomes and quantify benefits. Include notes documenting decisions on development, editable assumptions, and step-by-step instructions on how to use the calculation tools to apply default values or to estimate original values to determine the impacts of transportation projects and policies on public health. 

Note: The spreadsheet tool shall be editable, unlocked, and include the following items in a pre-approved format, with sufficient quality and detail that enables the replication of the research: (1) all raw and cleaned data collected and used in this research: input data sets, fused and integrated research data sets, data dictionaries, etc.; (2) documentation of the steps in the data fusion and integration process; (3) annotated data management code used for fusing, integrating, and cleaning the data; (4) annotated model development and validation code; (5) annotated spreadsheet macro code with instructions for disabling them and for future modifications; and (6) any other spreadsheet tool documentation. 

Task 10. Identify a core group of subject matter experts to beta test the spreadsheet tool developed in Task 9 and conduct beta testing. 

Note: Approval of the core group by NCHRP is required prior to initiating Task 10. 

Task 11. Develop a guide that details how to integrate public health into transportation project decision-making and describes a means for the assessment of the effect of transportation investment on public health.

Task 12. Convene a virtual workshop to provide a demonstration of the public health and transportation investment framework, spreadsheet decision support tool, and guide, and solicit additional feedback from the community of practice. 

Notes: 

1. Approval of the workshop attendees by NCHRP is required prior to initiating Task 12. 

2. Workshop results should be summarized in a report and presented to NCHRP prior to starting Task 13. 

Task 13. Modify the spreadsheet tool as needed based on feedback solicited during beta testing and the virtual workshop. 

Task 14. Prepare the final deliverables, which must include the following: 

1. A practitioner’s guide with a framework that details how to integrate public health into transportation project decision-making and allows for the assessment of public health outcomes; 

2. A stand-alone public health and transportation investment spreadsheet decision-support tool; 

Note: Please include any source code, databases, programs, and cleaned datasets developed under this project in USB, Dropbox, SharePoint, GitHub, or other preapproved format. 

3. A final conduct of research report documenting the entire research effort including recommendations for future research and an executive summary; 

4. A 20-slide PowerPoint presentation describing the background, objectives, research approach, findings, and conclusions; 

5. A recorded presentation of findings to the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Committee on Planning or other committee or council concerned with incorporating public health outcomes into transportation decision-making and investments; and 

6. A stand-alone technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products” (see Special Note M for additional information). 

Proposers may recommend additional deliverables to support the project objective. 

Note: Following receipt of the draft final deliverables, the remaining 3 months shall be for NCHRP review and comment and for research agency preparation of the final deliverables. 

SPECIAL NOTES                    

A. Proposals must include evidence of the research team’s expertise in both transportation and public health disciplines. 

B. Proposers may identify opportunities to present the research findings to two AASHTO committees or councils concerned with incorporating public health outcomes into transportation decision-making and investments. 

C. The selected contractor shall provide protocols for testing, maintenance, and troubleshooting and deliver the following derived products if applicable: (1) developed computer databases, (2) models, (3) frameworks, and (4) spreadsheets (including source code, object code listings, design details, algorithms, processes, flow charts, formulae, and related material), and (5) documentation related to frameworks, models, and spreadsheet tools developed during this research study. These deliverables shall become the exclusive property of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 

D. The Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals for the Transportation Research Board’s Cooperative Research Programs were revised in May 2024. Please take note of the new and revised text which is highlighted in yellow. 

E. Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF file with a maximum file size of 10 MB. The PDF must be formatted for standard 8 ½” X 11” paper, and the entire proposal must not exceed 60 pages (according to the page count displayed in the PDF). Proposals that do not meet these requirements will be rejected. For other requirements, refer to Chapter V of the instructions. 

F. The Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals for the Transportation Research Board’s Cooperative Research Programs have been modified to include a revised policy and instructions for disclosing Investigator Conflict of Interest. For more information, refer to chapter IV of the instructions. A detailed definition and examples can be found in the CRP Conflict of Interest Policy for Contractors. The proposer recommended by the project panel will be required to submit an Investigator Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Form as a prerequisite for contract negotiations. 

G. Proposals will be rejected if any of the proposed research team members work for organizations represented on the project panel. The panel roster for this project can be found at https://www.mytrb.org/OnlineDirectory/Committee/Details/7089. Proposers may not contact panel members directly; this roster is provided solely for the purpose of avoiding potential conflicts of interest. 

H. Proprietary Products - If any proprietary products are to be used or tested in the project, please refer to Item 6 in the Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals. 

I. Proposals are evaluated by the NCHRP staff and project panels consisting of individuals collectively knowledgeable in the problem area. The project panel will recommend their first choice proposal considering the following factors: (1) the proposer's demonstrated understanding of the problem; (2) the merit of the proposed research approach and experiment design; (3) the experience, qualifications, and objectivity of the research team in the same or closely related problem area; (4) the plan for ensuring application of results; (5) how the proposer approaches inclusion and diversity in the composition of their team and research approach, including participation by certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises; and, if relevant, (6) the adequacy of the facilities. A recommendation by the project panel is not a guarantee of a contract. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS - the contracting authority for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) will conduct an internal due diligence review and risk assessment of the panel’s recommended proposal before contract negotiations continue. 

Note: The proposer's approach to inclusion and diversity as well as participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises should be incorporated in Item 11 of the proposal. 

J. Copyrights - All data, written materials, computer software, graphic and photographic images, and other information prepared under the contract and the copyrights therein shall be owned by the National Academy of Sciences. The contractor and subcontractors will be able to publish this material for non-commercial purposes, for internal use, or to further academic research or studies with permission from TRB Cooperative Research Programs. The contractor and subcontractors will not be allowed to sell the project material without prior approval by the National Academy of Sciences. By signing a contract with the National Academy of Sciences, contractors accept legal responsibility for any copyright infringement that may exist in work done for TRB. Contractors are therefore responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions for use of copyrighted material in TRB's Cooperative Research Programs publications. For guidance on TRB's policies on using copyrighted material please consult Section 5.4, "Use of Copyrighted Material," in the Procedural Manual for Contractors. 

K. The text of the final deliverable is expected to be publication ready when it is submitted. It is strongly recommended that the research team include the expertise of a technical editor as early in the project timeline as possible. See Appendix F of the Procedural Manual for Contractors Conducting Research in the Transportation Research Board’s Cooperative Research Program for technical editing standards expected in final deliverables. 

L. Proposals should include a task-by-task breakdown of labor hours for each staff member as shown in Figure 4 in the Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals. Proposals also should include a breakdown of all costs (e.g., wages, indirect costs, travel, materials, and total) for each task using Figures 5 and 6 in the brochure. Please note that TRB Cooperative Research Program subawards (selected proposers are considered subawards to the National Academy of Sciences, the parent organization of TRB) must comply with 2 CFR 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. These requirements include a provision that proposers without a "federally" Negotiated Indirect Costs Rate Agreement (NICRA) shall be subject to a maximum allowable indirect rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs. Modified Total Direct Costs include all salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each lower tier subaward and subcontract. Modified Total Direct Costs exclude equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each lower tier subaward and subcontract in excess of $25,000.  

M. The required technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products” should (a) provide recommendations on how to best put the research findings/products into practice; (b) identify possible institutions that might take leadership in applying the research findings/products; (c) identify issues affecting potential implementation of the findings/products and recommend possible actions to address these issues; and (d) recommend methods of identifying and measuring the impacts associated with implementation of the findings/products. Implementation of these recommendations is not part of the research project and, if warranted, details of these actions will be developed and implemented in future efforts. 

The research team will be expected to provide input to an implementation team consisting of panel members, AASHTO committee members, the NCHRP Implementation Coordinator, and others in order to meet the goals of NCHRP Active Implementation: Moving Research into Practice, available at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/docs/NCHRP_ActiveImplementation.pdf

N. If the team proposes a Principal Investigator who is not an employee of the Prime Contractor, or if the Prime Contractor is proposed to conduct less than 50% of the total effort (by time or budget), then section five of the proposal should include: (1) a justification of why this approach is appropriate, and (2) a description of how the Prime Contractor will ensure adequate communication and coordination with their Subcontractors throughout the project. 

O. All budget information should be suitable for printing on 8½″ x 11″ paper. If a budget page cannot fit on a single 8½″ x 11″ page, it should be split over multiple pages. Proposers must use the Excel templates provided in the Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals for the Transportation Research Board’s Cooperative Research Programs. 

P. The National Academies have an ethical and legal obligation to provide proper attribution whenever material from other sources is included in its reports, online postings, and other publications and products. TRB will review all Cooperative Research Programs draft final deliverables using the software iThenticate for potential plagiarism. If plagiarized text appears in the draft final deliverable, the research team will be required to make revisions and the opportunity to submit future proposals may be affected.  

Q. Proposers are expected to be aware of the following resources and take them into account when developing the proposed research plan. 

1. The Federal Highway Administration’s PlanWorks Webpage https://fhwaapps.fhwa.dot.gov/planworks/Applications/Show/health-in-transportation 

2. NCHRP Project 23-34, “Performance Measures for Community-Centered Transportation Outcomes: A Guide” https://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5540 

3. TCRP Research Report 223: Guidebook and Research Plan to Help Communities Improve Transportation to Health Care Services, http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=4295   

4. TCRP Project J-11/Task 43, “Analysis of Public Transportation Health Impacts and Benefits”, http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5260  

5. U.S. Department of Transportation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Transportation and Health Tool (THT) https://www.transportation.gov/mission/health/tool-scoring-methodology