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Evaluation and Screening Process

Concept Evaluation
​Evaluation includes several levels of screening that consider the transportation problems, operational context, and surrounding environment. Through screening, the study team will identify reasonable alternative(s) that may progress into the NEPA process.  

Environmental Considerations
To best allocate effort and funding, the study teams will conduct environmental data scans during Level Two
Screening. Because of this, many concepts will not have extensive data available in Level One. Feasibility will be assessed on available environmental data. 


Feasibility Considerations
Continuous assessment of feasibility will occur throughout each screening level. This includes consideration for how buildable a concept is, including:

  • Constructability and engineering data

  • Corridor width and cross-section requirements

  • Right of way impacts

Screening Process

Level One
Screen concepts for reasonability and Purpose & Need using available qualitative data.  
We use generalized land use and planning, geotechnical, roadway engineering, traffic and safety, and environmental data at Level One so we can spend our time and funding wisely. Concepts that do not meet Purpose & Need or with a fatal flaw (an impact or combination of impacts that prohibit a concept from being built) will be eliminated.

Screening Results

Level One will consider reasonability, draft Purpose & Need, and goals, resulting in concepts that are:

  • Carried Forward

  • Eliminated 

  • Carried Forward as an Element: These concepts do not fully meet Purpose & Need but will be evaluated as a packaged element of a larger-scale concept. ​

Level Two

Compare concepts using qualitative and quantitative planning-level data.

Gather and analyze refined data sets for each concept and option. Establish a means for estimating and comparing how well concepts perform in meeting the study Purpose & Need and goals.

  • Constructability and engineering data

  • Corridor width and cross-section requirements

  • Right of way impacts

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Level Three

Analyze concepts using criteria performance measures to refine recommendations.

Preferred concepts may proceed into further design and environmental review to identify final recommendations. More than one concept may pass through Level Three screening. Concepts will be called alternatives if they are recommended at the conclusion of this phase.

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