US Department of Transportation

FHWA PlanWorks: Better Planning, Better Projects

US Department of Transportation

FHWA Planworks: Better Planning, Better Projects

COR-7: Adopt Preferred Solution Set

Corridor Planning

Description:

At this Key Decision, a preferred solution set is adopted for inclusion in the Corridor Plan. An evaluation of the preferred solution set using the approved evaluation criteria, methods and measures is the basis for selection. The preferred solution set is influenced by the preferred plan scenario adopted in the LRTP and informs the range of alternatives considered in environmental review. This Key Decision is a shared decision-point with the Eco-Logical process: Eco-Logical and corridor planning are done together.

There is information developed in prior Key Decisions that informs this step. In order to effectively execute this Key Decision there is essential information created at COR-5 related to evaluation criteria, methods, and measures and COR-6 providing the full range of solution sets for the corridor.

Basics:

The first table describes the purpose and anticipated outcome of a Key Decision. If the decision is federally mandated, the purpose and outcome will relate to the legal intent.

The second table describes roles for key partners with legal decision making authority in the transportation process. The roles indicate the influence a partner can have on a decision, and show each partner where their input is most needed. For a full understanding of roles see the Partner Portal.

Purpose

To select a preferred solution set from the full range of solutions.

Outcome

Formal adoption of the preferred solution set and documentation of the reasons for eliminating the solutions that were not selected.

Partner	Role Type	Description
MPO	Decision Maker (urban), No Role (rural)	Adopts a preferred solution set that addresses the identified problems and opportunities of the corridor and supports the LRTP.
FHWA/FTA	Advisor	Ensures the adopted solution set is consistent with accepted plans.
State DOT	Advisor (urban), Decision Maker (rural)	Ensures the adopted preferred solution set is compatible with state interests and the adopted LRTP.
Resource Agency	Advisor	Support the selection of a preferred solution set that is consistent with environmental priorities in the region. Inform transportation partners about potential mitigation options, cumulative effects and preferred solutions from an ecological perspective. Advise appropriate documentation of all decisions for transfer to the environmental review process.
Public Transportation Operator(s)	Advisor	Ensures the adopted preferred solution set is compatible with transit interests.

Links to Decisions

This table identifies the connection to other Key Decisions. The linkages highlight the importance of collaboration across transportation phases. Practitioners are encouraged to document the basis of the decision and consider information from previous Key Decisions.

Transportation Phases	Key Decision	What is Linked?	Purpose of Linkage
From Long Range Transportation Planning	LRP-10 - Adopt LRTP by MPO	Corridor improvements included in the LRTP and air quality conformity analysis	To evaluate the impact of the adopted preferred solution set on the LRTP including air quality conformity and fiscal constraint.
To Programming	PRO-3 - Approve Project List from Adopted Plan	Improvement projects identified in the adopted solution set with their anticipated costs	To inform the project list in the programming/fiscal constraint phase.
To Environmental Review/NEPA Merged with Permitting	ENV-6 - Approve Full Range of Alternatives	Information on the preferred solution set from the corridor planning process	To inform the development of the full range of alternatives for environmental review/permitting
To Environmental Review/NEPA Merged with Permitting	ENV-7 - Approve Alternatives to be Carried Forward	The preferred solution set from the corridor plan	To ensure that the preferred solution set is included in range of alternatives carried forward

Questions to Consider

Questions are a way to gather input from partners and stakeholders that can be used to inform the decision. Decision makers can discuss the questions provided to ensure a broad array of interests are considered to support a collaborative process. Questions also allow staff to collect stakeholder interests, ensure these are included in the decision, and provide a response based on the decision outcome. Although Public Transportation is not represented by a PlanWorks Application, the information provided may be useful in a collaborative transportation process.

Category	Questions to Consider
Long Range Planning	Have we evaluated the influence of the solution sets on the LRTP including air quality conformity and fiscal constraint? Is the preferred solution set consistent with the LRTP?
Programming	Will the evaluation of the preferred solution set, including anticipated costs, adequately inform the programming process? How do the solution sets compare on cost effectiveness?
Corridor Planning	How did the various solution sets compare across the evaluation criteria? Are there hybrids among these solution sets that we want to evaluate? What are the primary differences between the solution sets? What was the basis for eliminating solution sets? Why is this solution set recommended? How does the preferred solution set address the problem statements and desired outcomes? How will all partners be made aware of the adopted solution set?
Environmental Review	Is the documentation for eliminated scenarios and solution sets sufficient for NEPA? How will the evaluation of solution sets and selection of the preferred solution set inform the development of alternatives for the NEPA process?
Bicycles and Pedestrians	Has the selection of the preferred solution set used input from a robust analysis of impacts of the potential solutions on bicycles, pedestrians, and ADA accessibility? How do the solution sets address the needs of bicyclists, pedestrians, and ADA accessibility? What impact will the solution set have on pedestrian and bicycle level of service and on accessibility along the corridor? Will the preferred solution set contribute to or remove any barriers in the pedestrian, bicycle, and ADA network? Do bicycle, pedestrian, and ADA stakeholders support the preferred solution set?
Capital Improvement	How will the adopted preferred solution set be communicated to the capital improvement stakeholders? Will capital improvements plans need to be adjusted to support the adopted solution set, and is that adjustment feasible?
Economic Development	Have all potential adverse economic impacts and opportunities been considered in the comparison of solution sets? Will the preferred solution set have adverse economic impacts for any specific populations or businesses? Has a mitigation strategy been adopted for unavoidable impacts from the preferred solution set?
Freight	Does the preferred solution set benefit freight interests in the corridor? Have freight stakeholders been informed of the basis for the selection of preferred?
Greenhouse Gas Emissions	How do the solution sets compare on GHG reductions? How did GHG emissions influence the selection of the preferred solution set?
Health in Transportation	Has the preferred solution set been validated as compatible with existing health plans or policies affecting the corridor? Does the preferred solution set meet the health needs of the community and of specific population groups affected? Does the preferred solution set disproportionately affect the health of specific population groups? What modifications to any solution set are necessary to achieve the desired health outcomes for the corridor? Are any health partners able to sponsor or implement solutions that would improve health outcomes? How have tradeoffs between health and other priorities been balanced, and how is that reasoning to be communicated to health stakeholders and the public? Is this the preferred solution set from a health perspective?
Human Environment and Communities	How well does the solution set address the needs of all users, including low income and minority populations? Is the documentation of impacts on the community and/or disadvantaged populations sufficient? What information will help community stakeholders and human environment partners understand and support the preferred solution set?
Land Use	What are the anticipated direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts on land use of each of the solution sets? How will smart growth principles influence the evaluation of the solution sets? Is the preferred solution set consistent with land use plans and smart growth principles? Have land use decision makers committed to support the preferred solution set?
Linking Planning and Operations	Has selection of the preferred solution set considered impacts of potential solutions on reliability and mobility in the corridor? How will the solution sets influence congestion, system management, and reliability? To what extent will the preferred solution set improve operations? Will TSMO partners commit to supporting the preferred solution set?
Natural Environment and Implementing Eco Logical	What are the potential direct or cumulative impacts to identified priority areas for conservation/restoration/mitigation? Is this the preferred solution set from an ecological perspective? What are the preferences for avoiding or minimizing impacts, conservation and restoration investments, and mitigation? What are the mitigation needs, options, and priorities? What is the conservation and mitigation strategy for the preferred solution set?
Performance Measures	How does the preferred solution set support statewide/regional performance measurement commitments?
Planning and Environment Linkages	Is documentation of the transportation projects within the preferred solution set sufficient to inform the list of alternatives and mitigation options in environmental review?
Public Private Partnerships	Have private sector stakeholders or partners been involved in identifying solutions that are most suitable for P3? Have public and private sector partners provided data on project risks, costs, financing, revenue potential, and other pertinent information? For solution sets involving P3 projects, have all potential adverse impacts been considered and mitigation strategies identified for unavoidable impacts from the preferred solution set?
Public Transportation	How do the solution sets address the needs of public transportation users? What impact will the solution sets have on public transportation level of service? Is the preferred solution set compatible with public transportation interests and existing public transportation plans? Do public transportation stakeholders support the preferred solution set?
Safety	Is this the preferred solution set from a safety perspective?
Stakeholder Collaboration	Have stakeholders identified any of the remaining solution sets as fatally flawed? If so, how does that impact the selection process? Which of the solution sets do stakeholders prefer and why? What stakeholder issues remain to be addressed? How will all stakeholders be made aware of the preferred solution set?
Transportation Conformity	This Key Decision is not associated with the Application.
Visioning and Transportation	Is the preferred solution set supportive of the consensus vision or adopted future? Is this relationship documented for support of individual solutions from stakeholders and the public?

Data

The following list of data may be needed to support the Key Decision. Practitioners collect this information for decision makers to consider. Although Public Transportation is not represented by a PlanWorks Application, the information provided may be useful in a collaborative transportation process.

Category	Data to Consider
Long Range Planning	Corridor improvements included in the LRTP Analysis of the influence of the solution sets on the LRTP, including air quality conformity and fiscal constraint
Programming	Anticipated costs of the solution sets Cost / benefit analysis for individual or groups of solutions
Corridor Planning	Analysis of how solution sets perform across the evaluation criteria to address the problems and opportunities of the corridor Assessment of risks associated with each solution set Documentation of all analysis
Environmental Review	Confirmation that the documentation of the evaluation of solution sets will be sufficient to inform the alternatives for NEPA
Bicycles and Pedestrians	Multimodal level of service analysis Analysis of the impacts of solution sets on bicycles, pedestrians, and ADA accessibility Information on the needs and potential support of bicycle and pedestrian stakeholders
Capital Improvement	Information on whether capital improvement plans will need to be adjusted and whether they can be
Economic Development	Analysis of potential negative economic impacts of the solution sets Analysis of strategies available to mitigate any unavoidable impacts
Freight	Anticipated freight benefits Information to share with freight stakeholders
Greenhouse Gas Emissions	Analysis of different solutions’ influence on GHG emissions
Health in Transportation	Input from health stakeholders on which solution sets are most supportive of the corridor’s health goals and priorities Modeling of the solution sets and their impact on desired health outcomes
Human Environment and Communities	Assessment of impacts on the community and disadvantaged populations Documentation of the basis for the decision appropriate for human environment and community stakeholders
Land Use	Analysis identifying land use and smart growth influences Commitments from land use decision makers to support the preferred solution set
Linking Planning and Operations	Influence of the individual solution sets on TSMO and reliability Extent to which the preferred solution set improves operations Input from operations partners
Natural Environment and Implementing Eco Logical	Analysis of the amount and relative degree of potential impacts and cumulative effects of solution sets to conservation and restoration priorities Preferences regarding avoidance, minimization, potential conservation, and restoration investments The ecological perspective on the preferred solution set Data on mitigation needs, options, and priorities Conservation and mitigation strategy for the preferred solution set
Performance Measures	Analysis of individual solution set performance Documentation of performance expectations for the preferred solution set
Planning and Environment Linkages	Transportation projects in the preferred solution set
Public Private Partnerships	Private sector input
Public Transportation	Multimodal level of service analysis Information on the needs and potential support of public transportation stakeholders
Safety	Safety analysis supporting the preferred solution set
Stakeholder Collaboration	Stakeholder input on potential solutions Evaluation of solutions considering stakeholder input
Transportation Conformity	This Key Decision is not associated with the Application.
Visioning and Transportation	Evaluation of preferred solution set support for the consensus vision or adopted future

Links to Applications

The interaction between transportation decision making and other planning processes will ensure that important values and goals outside the transportation process are recognized and considered. Although Public Transportation is not represented by a PlanWorks Application, the information provided may be useful in a collaborative transportation process.

Application	Description
Bicycles and Pedestrians	Determine if the solution sets will have the support of bicycle, pedestrian, and ADA stakeholders. Evaluate the impacts of the potential solutions on bicyclist, pedestrian, and ADA accessibility.
Capital Improvement	The Stakeholder Collaboration Application may be useful to identify communication opportunities that encourage capital improvement partners to maintain their involvement in transportation planning.
Economic Development	Give careful consideration in selecting a preferred solution set that balances economic development with other key concerns along the corridor. Input gathered through Stakeholder Collaboration will help inform this decision.
Freight	As decision makers consider all solution sets, they will evaluate the impact of each on freight transportation. The selection of the preferred solution set must be explained to freight stakeholders for future planning and validation of the importance of their participation in transportation planning. Comparisons to Economic Development, Capital Improvement, Land Use, and Safety may provide greater understanding to freight stakeholders.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions	Compare the GHG-related outcomes of the various solution sets.
Health in Transportation	Other Applications might also influence the health implications of potential solution sets, including Bicycles and Pedestrians, Freight, Human Environment and Communities, Land Use, Safety, Stakeholder Collaboration, and Visioning and Transportation. See the Planning and Environment Linkages Application for guidance on how to document the decision-making process for later use in environmental review.
Human Environment and Communities	Adoption of the preferred solution sets represents a final comparison to community goals and balancing the needs and priorities within the corridor. Documentation is essential to effectively use this information during project development. Community stakeholders should be encouraged to participate in the future by a full accounting of the benefits and potential impacts. The Natural Environment and Implementing Eco-Logical and Planning, Environment and Linkages, and Stakeholder Collaboration Applications may have useful information to consider.
Land Use	Compare each solution set to land use plans/smart growth principles for consistency to select the preferred set. Following adoption, be prepared to explain the selection to partners and seek commitments to support implementation of the adopted solution set. At this Key Decision, address all Application topics to access the trade-offs and interfaces between interests.
Linking Planning and Operations	The preferred solution set may support targets for Performance Measures including reliability and congestion. Ongoing monitoring for TSMO may also inform Safety and Public Transportation.
Natural Environment and Implementing Eco Logical	Assess effects of solution sets on conservation objectives. Identify mitigation needs, options, and priorities related to the preferred solution set. Agree on performance monitoring strategy for any mitigation sites, if appropriate.
Performance Measures	Compare the solution sets based on their contribution to performance measurement and reporting. Documentation of the anticipated performance will support project prioritization for the LRTP and the TIP/STIP. All Applications represented in the preferred solution set should be considered.
Planning and Environment Linkages	Confirm that the documentation of the solution sets will be sufficient for environmental review.
Public Private Partnerships	All Applications representing corridor planning interests will be involved in the selection of the preferred solution set. Land Use, Human Environment and Communities, Natural Environment and Implementing Eco-Logical, Economic Development are particularly relevant. Public Transportation should also be considered.
Public Transportation	Ensure the preferred solution is compatible with public transportation interests.
Safety	Safety implications are an essential consideration for selecting a preferred solution set. Corridor planning participants should consider a wide-range of safety strategies and countermeasures to address any specific issues in the corridor. This may also identify mutual benefits to other interests or stakeholders. Consider the Bicycle and Pedestrian, Freight, Health, Human Environment and Communities, and Land Use Applications.
Stakeholder Collaboration	Thoughtful evaluation of solution sets to select the preferred solution set demonstrates meaningful stakeholder engagement, where the outcome and justification are well understood and support other planning processes. Providing feedback to stakeholders on the basis of the decision maintains their interest and participation. Commitments may be needed from Land Use, Natural Environment, and Capital Improvement to support the transportation solutions with activities in their planning processes.
Transportation Conformity	This Key Decision is not associated with the Application.
Visioning and Transportation	Adoption of the preferred solution set represents a final comparison to the visioning outcomes and/or adopted future during the corridor study. Documentation is essential to effectively use this information during project development and Stakeholder Collaboration. The Natural Environment and Implementing Eco-Logical, Human Environment and Communities, Land Use, and Economic Development Applications may identify strong stakeholder relationships to consider during implementation of the solution set.

Examples

In - depth case studies of successful practices in collaborative decision making were used to develop the Decision Guide.Links in this table point to a specific paragraph or section of a case study that supports a Key Decision. It is not necessary to read through an entire case study to find the example; however, full versions are available in the Library.

PlanWorks Case Study Examples:
US 64 Asheboro Bypass - Merged NEPA and Section 404 Permitting Processes cor-7

Other Examples:
University Avenue Corridor Improvements (Madison, Wisconsin) http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/publications/network_report/page10.cfm