Comparing Large-Scale Transportation Mitigation Programs

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December 2018

Developers and project proponents in Massachusetts are required to minimize the negative impacts of proposed development projects. When these impacts cannot be eliminated, they must be mitigated: the developer must provide programs or payments that either limit impacts to a manageable level or compensate communities for unavoidable outcomes.

To better inform a discussion of mitigation practices, the study begins by presenting a method to compare the size, configuration, and situation of proposed developments. Project description data were obtained for 16 distinct developments and these data were supplemented with demographic data of the project environs. Several project size metrics have been calculated from these data and each of these metrics are presented individually to highlight and compare key characteristics of the 16 sample developments.

The study then reviews the mitigation programs for each of the 16 developments. Key transportation mitigation requirements and expectations, both on-site and off-site, are summarized. Finally, conclusions are suggested based on analysis of the 16 developments and their mitigation programs. Insights of mitigation process participants have also helped to inform these conclusions.

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