2.2.1 Feasibility Studies

Feasibility studies use technical data to assess the practicality of proposed improvements. A feasibility study aims to provide an independent assessment that examines all aspects of a proposed project, including technical, economic, financial, legal, and environmental considerations. This information then helps decision-makers determine whether to proceed with the project.
The study may show that the project is not economically justifiable - or that it creates so many environmental impacts that it is not viable. Early determination of such a finding will avoid unnecessary expenditure of funds on preliminary engineering and related costs.
A feasibility study may include studying multiple transportation corridors or routes within a corridor.
A feasibility study may be done at the District’s discretion or initiated by TPP. A feasibility study may be warranted in the following situations:
  • Project is outside an MPO planning boundary;
  • Project may involve a significant fund investment;
  • Solution to the project is unknown;
  • The project has significant environmental concerns;
  • Consensus of general public and property owners along the route has not been developed;
  • Unplanned traffic generator/development is anticipated;
  • The need to prioritize project for funding;
  • As directed by the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC); or
  • As mandated by legislation.
Feasibility study requests are submitted through TxC. TPP - Corridor Planning Branch reviews and renders a decision on the request.
Feasibility studies analyze project specific features based on a variety of factors including transportation, environmental, socioeconomic, infrastructure, government and local agency coordination, and public involvement. These studies typically include a longer-term implementation horizon and a financial decision to proceed with project development.
The usual steps of performing a feasibility study are summarized as follows:
  • Examine potential environmental constraints;
  • Analyze present and future traffic;
  • Study alternatives;
  • Prepare preliminary plan drawing;
  • Develop planning level cost estimate; and
  • Conduct public involvement for study, if desired.
Feasibility studies can be programmed within the 10-year Unified Transportation Program (UTP) with the estimated let date as the anticipated year the study will be completed.
Feasibility studies are not construction projects
. TPP’s role is to review the feasibility study’s scope for statewide consistency. TPP Corridor Planning consultant contracts capacity may be used for feasibility studies if needed. TPP’s
Corridor Planning Guidebook
 provides additional information on feasibility studies.
2.2.1.1 Planning and Environment Linkage Studies
A Planning and Environment Linkage (PEL) study is a high-level, early-planning study process that represents an approach to transportation decision making that considers environmental, community and economic goals early in the planning stage and carries them through project development, design and construction. The goal of PEL studies is to gather feedback during planning to inform the environmental review process, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (see
Section 5.2
).
Conducting a PEL study helps inform planning decisions and streamlines the project delivery process and can serve as a way for the public to discuss and prioritize transportation issues and project delivery. A PEL is most useful in the following situations:
  • The project is identified as high rigor and complex (e.g., project is regionally significant, has environmental constraints, incorporates analysis of housing and community development options, is costly or controversial, or has the potential for many alternatives that could be indistinct and confusing).
  • The project is not clearly defined during planning. PEL can help establish the scope of the project, purpose and need, or inform the likely level of environmental analysis that may be required.
  • The environmental setting – whether there are natural features, critical habitat, built environment, disadvantaged communities, or population, employment, and land development projects – is not well known.
  • Multiple alternatives need to be screened and eliminated during planning.
  • Resources and regulatory agencies need to be engaged during the planning process to avoid and/or minimize environmental effects. This may include development of advance mitigation agreements or programmatic mitigation plans, creation of mitigation banks or preparation for permits or approvals.