The PDP and Decision-Making
Ohio Department of Transportation
PDP Phased Approach
• Streamlined to meet the objectives of ODOT’s core
program
• Allows for more flexibility between phases
• Pulls Stage 1 and Stage 2 Engineering into PE and
Environmental
• Redefines how alternatives are developed
• Proactive merger of Design and NEPA
Project Development Process
PDP Paths
Project Development Process
PDP Milestones
Typical
Deliverables
Project Development Process
Project Development Process
Flexibility is Key!
ODOT’s PDP is
designed to allow
the PM to develop
the design and
decision detail to the
level necessary for a
good decision.
• Project Initiation
• Feasibility Study
• Alternative
Evaluation Report
• PE Design-Stage 1-2
• NEPA Document
PDP- Solid Decision Faster/Cheaper
• New scoping process (Project Initiation Package)
ensures that only necessary work gets scoped and
that the projects are properly planned out.
• During the Preliminary Engineering (PE) Phase of the
PDP, the “Feasibility Study” focuses on the narrowing
of Alternatives and hopefully, get’s to a preferred.
• The Alternative Evaluation Report addresses
environmental and design issues, then recommends a
Preferred Alternative.
• Once a Preferred Alternative is chosen, Stage 1/Stage
2 can begin and additional environmental
studies/permits can occur concurrently.
What was our Goal in producing these decision
products?
1. Concise! (Feasibility study can be 1 page to 100 pages.)
2. Readable. (If it wasn’t an impact, say it and move on.
If we did a study, summarize and attach- not repeat. Use
graphics, tables and charts!)
3. We wanted it to contain everything! (Thank you
DVD’s!)
Decision-making within the PDP is
Unique.
ODOT’s PDP and Decision-making
• Each Project can have different detail
needed to make the decision…
– Environmental
– Preliminary Engineering
• Each PDP report (feasibility Study, AER, etc.)
can have different level of detail to make
the decision…
• Still have core issues that need to be
addressed to meet legal requirements…
PDP Documentation- How much is too
much?
• Tell the
Story
• Keep it
Brief
• Keep it
Legal
PDP- Solid Decision Faster/Cheaper
• PDP redefined how alternatives are developed
and to what level of detail – early review of alts.
• Proactive merger of design and NEPA. Focused
on balance of when NEPA/design studies are
needed. (Stage I/II redesigned)
• Common sense decision-making.
• New emphasis on Critical Path Management and
scheduling of milestones.
• Requirement for new department-wide project
manager training.
PDP
Decisions
• Be Flexible
• Risk
Management
• Make good
decisions…
Questions and Discussion