Chapter 2: Preliminary Survey
Anchor: #i1003634Section 1: Overview
Anchor: #i1003640Preliminary Survey Definition
A preliminary survey consists of fieldwork and gathering data from a variety of sources, including previous surveys, geographic information systems, and online information sources like THC's Atlas. Identifying all issues in the project development process early on allows time to address, and if need be, mitigate for environmental issues. Identifying and assessing resources as early in the project development process as possible allows the maximum number of options to be considered.
Anchor: #i1003654Survey Identification
Preliminary data gathering prior to the site visit provides much needed baseline information on the area of interest. Resources, such as the Texas Historic Sites Atlas, Geographic Information System and regulatory database searches, are a few of the tools used to determine the likelihood of encountering evidence of environmental concern.
Transportation projects must be analyzed considering all the following possible issues:
- natural resources
- cultural resources
- social and economic resources
- air quality
- noise
- hazardous materials.
Survey Procedures
After determining project type, a preliminary survey that follows appropriate procedures should be conducted.