3.4.10 Additional Study Requirements Determination

Based on the project scoping meeting and the evaluation of existing plans and project requirements, additional studies may be needed to determine critical design elements and the economic feasibility of a proposed project.
3.4.10.1 Feasibility/Corridor/Route Studies
If previous feasibility, corridor or route studies have not been performed, one or all of these may be needed to determine design concepts, general ROW requirements and associated project impacts. See Section 2.2 for details on requesting and performing any of these three study types. See
Section 2.2
for details on requesting and performing any of these three study types.
3.4.10.2 Traffic Studies
The design of a new transportation facility is based on future traffic projections. Refer to the TSAP for information on the type and methods of traffic data to be collected during this phase of project development
TPP– Traffic Analysis Section performs several functions relating to traffic data collection and analysis, transportation analysis and forecasting, and other traffic related studies to support project planning and traffic data collection.
Traffic data requests can be made through TPP’s intranet webpage. Refer to the Traffic Forecasting Analysis SOP and Guidance document referenced below for additional information.
Request traffic data early as this task can take several months to complete – include this activity in the project schedule.
If major changes to a corridor are being proposed, future traffic may not be able to be projected until the preliminary design phase.
3.4.10.3 Historic Bridge Structures
For bridge projects involving a historic structure, a Historic Bridge Team must be assembled to determine the purpose and need for the project, and to evaluate alternatives that minimize harm to the historic structure. The alternatives analysis dictates the scope of the project (bridge rehabilitation or replacement). This analysis should be completed prior to developing the bridge project.
  • Resources to consult:
  • Coordination:
  •  District planning staff
  •  District environmental staff
  •  District bridge staff
  •  District multimodal coordinators for other modes (e.g., transit, pedestrian, bike, port, railroad, aviation)
  •  District railroad coordinator
  •  ALD Division staff
  •  ALD staff
  •  BRG– Bridge Management section staff
  •  BRG Division – Bridge Management Section staff
  •  DES – Landscape Architecture section staff
  •  DES – Project Delivery section staff
  •  Environmental Affairs (ENV) Division (ENV) – Cultural Resources Branch - Historical staff
  •  PFD Division staff
  •  RRD Division staff
  •  TPP Division staff
  •  MRD staff
  •  PFD staff
  •  RRD staff
  •  TPP– Traffic Analysis Section staff
  •  TRF staff
  •  MPO and regional planning staff
  •  Local government staff
  • Available training:
  •  ENV216 – Overview of TxDOT’s Environmental Review Process for Engineers, Planners, and Others.
  •  ENV414 – EMS Awareness Training & Orientation
  •  TPD342 – TxDOTCONNECT Create a Feasibility Study Project
  •  TPD343 – TxDOTCONNECT Manage Major Projects
  •  TPD345 – TxDOTCONNECT Feasibility Study Training
  •  TPD346 – TxDOTCONNECT Major Projects Training
  •  TRF201 – Intro to Traffic Operations