Digital platforms and digital twins for NEPA reviews for highway projects

(a)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Covered project

The term covered project means a highway project that received a grant under any of the following: (A)The nationally significant freight and highway projects program under section 117 of title 23, United States Code (commonly known as the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program). (B)The national infrastructure project assistance program under section 6701 of title 49, United States Code (commonly known as the Mega grant program). (C)The local and regional project assistance program under section 6702 of title 49, United States Code (commonly known as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program). (D)The program for national infrastructure investments (commonly known as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program and formerly known as the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program). (2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation. (b)

Purposes

The purposes of this section are— (1)to expedite the environmental review process at Federal agencies and for the general public; and (2)to facilitate interactive public stakeholder engagement and understanding of environmental impacts of projects under the Federal-aid highway system. (c)

Encouraged use of digital platforms and digital twins

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall encourage recipients of Federal funds from the Secretary to utilize interactive, digital, cloud-based platforms and high fidelity, 3-dimensional digital models of infrastructure project elements, such as digital twins, when carrying out environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) by publishing the guidance described in paragraph (2). (2)

Guidance

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish technology-neutral best practice guidance to encourage sponsors of projects that receive Federal funds from the Secretary to use an interactive, digital, cloud-based platform and high fidelity, 3-dimensional digital models of infrastructure project elements, such as digital twins, in carrying out the environmental impact analysis and community engagement processes required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). (d)

Use of digital platforms and digital twins in covered projects

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall select not less than 10 covered projects to demonstrate the use of interactive, digital, cloud-based platforms and high fidelity, 3-dimensional digital models of infrastructure project elements, such as digital twins, in carrying out the environmental impact analysis and community engagement processes required under that Act, which may include projects in States participating in the surface transportation project delivery program under section 327 of title 23, United States Code. (2)

Additional projects

In addition to the covered projects selected by the Secretary under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include additional projects that utilize interactive, digital, cloud-based platforms and high fidelity, 3-dimensional digital models of infrastructure project elements, such as digital twins, in the report under subsection (e), on request of the sponsors of those projects. (3)

Priority

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in selecting covered projects under a program described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall give priority to applications for projects that demonstrate a plan to implement an interactive, cloud-based platform and high fidelity, 3-dimensional digital models of infrastructure project elements, such as digital twins, to carry out the environmental impact analysis and community engagement processes required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). (e)

Reports

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the efficacy of using interactive, cloud-based platforms and high fidelity, 3-dimensional digital models of infrastructure project elements, such as digital twins, in carrying out environmental impact analysis and community engagement requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), including— (A)metrics that describe estimates of achieved efficiencies, community engagement measures, and efficiencies enjoyed across Federal agencies; and (B)examples of digital workflows enabled. (2)

Publication of examples

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish on the website of the Department of Transportation, and submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, not less than 5 examples of an environmental impact statement, environmental assessment, or categorical exclusion document developed using an interactive, digital, cloud-based platform and high fidelity, 3-dimensional digital models of infrastructure project elements, such as digital twins. (f)

Savings provision

Nothing in this section affects or interferes with the authorities or responsibilities assumed by a State under section 327 of title 23, United States Code.