STANDARD PROCESS OUTLINE FOR TRANSPORTATION STUDIES
The Office of Transportation Planning’s standard process for conducting transportation studies is
outlined below. Modified or additional approaches may be necessary to accomplish the
objectives of a particular transportation study, but normally the process is guided by the
following:
Step 1: Goals and Objectives, Evaluation Criteria, and Public Participation
Goals and Objectives
A. Addressing a particular issue
B. Establishing a study framework
C. Defining the study area
Evaluation Criteria
A. Developed from goals and objectives
B. Measures of effectiveness
Public Participation Plan
A. Working groups
B. Public meetings
C. Other methods
Products: Summary Report, Public Participation Plan
Step 2: Existing Conditions and Issues Evaluation
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Related to evaluation criteria
Data collection
Base year analysis
Constraint mapping/data layers (GIS)
Develop framework for future analysis (demographics, proposed projects, traffic
volumes, etc.)
F. Forecast Future Year – ‘No-Build’ Traffic Conditions
Product: Summary Report
Step 3: Alternatives Development
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Sources for potential alternatives
Ranges of options (roadway, transit, bicycle/pedestrian, demand management, etc.)
Short range vs. long range
Screening process for next step
Eliminate alternatives based on fatal-flaw method
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STANDARD PROCESS OUTLINE FOR TRANSPORTATION STUDIES
Product: Summary Report
Step 4: Alternatives Analysis
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Based on evaluation criteria
Use tools developed to forecast results
Assemble and format information
Possible alternative adjustments based on results
Evaluation of alternatives (using quantitative and qualitative information)
Product: Summary Report
Step 5: Recommendations
Draft Proposed Recommendations
A. Short range
B. Long range
Final Recommendations and Report
A. Public comment
B. Package of recommendations
1. Highway
2. Transit
3. Operational Changes
4. Travel Demand Management
5. Transportation Systems Management
6. Intelligent Transportation Systems
7. Other Strategies
8. Mitigation
Products: Final Report, Executive Summary, Appendices
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