This report was prepared by an international scientific expert group of the OECD Road Transport Research Programme, composed of researchers and road engineers involved in the planning process construction and evaluation stages, as well as administrators from national road administrations. Seventeen countries participated in co-operation with the OECD Environment Directorate, the Commission of the European Community, the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Bank and the European Conference of Ministers of Transport. The aim was to provide a review of traditional environmental impact assessment methods and procedures currently used in the road and transport sector and explore the potential offered by new research developments in this field such as strategic approaches for longterm policies, plans and programmes. The report is organised in seven chapters: I: Introduction - Background and Requirements; II: Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment; III: EIA Procedures used at the Project Level; IV: Tools for EIA; V: Issues Related to the Follow-up of a Project; VI: Communication Needs and Public Involvement; VII: Summary and Recommendations. The study provides an insight into methodologies and evaluation procedures of EIA of roads as well as a review of strategic developments for enhancing the planning and decision making process as a support to road transport planners and highway policy-oriented authorities.
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