2035 Call For Projects
The evaluation criteria and schedule described below was used for the evaluation of candidate projects for the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan. The plan was adopted by the MPO Executive Board on December 15, 2010.
2010 Schedule for Submitting Project Ideas
| January 6 | → | Unofficial call-for-projects for local government members |
| January 20 | → | Official call-for-projects made by the MPO Executive Board. |
| January 22 | → | First deadline: Local government members to update the MPO on the status of projects currently in the plan |
| February 3 | → | Presentation of future travel demand & roadway deficiencies to the MPO's Technical Coordinating Committee |
| February 19 | → | Second deadline: Local government members to submit refined details on existing and new candidate projects to the MPO |
| March 3 | → | Presentation of initial project prioritization to MPO's Technical Coordinating Committee |
| March 31 | → | Final deadline: Local government members must submit all final details and local endorsements of proposed projects |
| April 1 - April 30 | → | Project evaluation and prioritization |
Project Evaluation
With little chance that there will be enough funding around to pay for all transportation improvements identified over the next few months, the MPO will evaluate each candidate project for its ability to fulfill regional goals for livability, sustainability, prosperity, and diversity. The following are some of the questions that will guide that analysis.
Congestion
- What are the root causes of congestion in the vicinity of the project location? (e.g., traffic volume, physical design, crashes, regulations, behavioral, freight, etc.)
- How well does the project address those causes?
- How could the project be scoped to include congestion management solutions to optimize its benefit?
Safety
- How well does the project address safety concerns?
- Is the project in a high-crash corridor?
- How can the project be scoped to increase safety of all users?
Security
- How well does the project address security concerns?
- Does the project aid/ harm important evacuation routes?
- How can the project be scoped to features that help secure citizens and regional resources?
Availability of Transportation Choices
- How well does the project introduce, support, or reinforce multiple transportation choices for people to access jobs, schools, food, entertainment, etc?
- How can the project be scoped to incorporate facilities for and/or connections to non-motorized modes and transit?
Socio-Cultural Resources/ Natural Environmental
- Does the project aid/ harm in the preservation of the region's natural or socio-cultural resources (e.g., open space, animal habitat, historic structures, churches, community centers, etc.)?
- How can the project be scoped to mitigate the negative impacts to valuable resources?
- How well does the project support efforts to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, particularly foreign oil?
- How well does the project support efforts to improve air and water quality?
Title VI/ ADA Compliance
- Does the project aid/ harm the advancement of social justice and equal opportunity to destinations throughout the region?
- How can the project be scoped to mitigate any negative impacts to predominately low-income or minority communities or persons with a disability.
System Preservation/ Financial Sustainability
- How well does the project make use of limited financial resources to ensure the continued productivity of the existing transportation system?
- How can the project be scoped to include features the make the facility more efficient (e.g., ITS, design, materials, etc.).
Economic Benefit
- How well does the project support or stimulate the local/ regional economy?
- How well does the project support freight movements?
- To what degree doe the implementation of the project create jobs?
- How well does the facility connect people with opportunities to engage in economic activity?
- To what degree does the project aid in the region's economic competitiveness with other metro areas of the nation?
- Is the project supported by business leaders?
Consistency with Plans
- Is the project consistent with local, state, or other regional plans for growth (economic development, land use, etc.)?
- Has the project been endorsed locally through the adoption of a local major thoroughfare plan, transportation element of a comprehensive plan, or by resolution of the local governing body?
- If on a state-route, is the project endorsed or supported by TDOT?
The Call-for-Projects period has ended.
