4.4.14 Geometric Schematic Layout Development

Typically, the geometric schematic layout is developed with multiple milestone submittals (e.g., 30%/60%/90%/100% or Preliminary/Final). The District may reduce or add interim milestone submittals as deemed reasonable.
4.4.14.1 District Review of Geometric Schematic
The geometric schematic must be reviewed by a multi-disciplinary District review team at milestone submittals. The geometric schematic is made available for review and approval according to the District’s schematic review process.
Suggested SME reviewers include, but are not limited to:
  • Area Office;
  • District Design;
  • Drainage;
  • Environmental;
  • ROW/Utilities;
  • Structures;
  • Survey; and
  • Traffic Engineering.
All review comments from the District review team should be documented and addressed in the Schematic QC Checklist.
4.4.14.2 Geometric Schematic Review with Stakeholders
Stakeholders must be kept involved throughout project development. When local entities, MPOs, and LG officials are stakeholders in a project, it is advisable to obtain their review and input on the schematic during development. The review will allow for discussion and consensus building on decisions and can be useful if project changes involve significant funding changes. The PM should ensure that all public comments are captured and addressed.
4.4.14.3 Geometric Schematic
At the District’s discretion, another public meeting may be conducted if desired. The public meeting should be conducted as described in
Section 4.3.2.6
and
Chapter 5
. If desired, other effective outreach methods can be conducted in place of or in addition to a public meeting. Consult with TPP - Public Involvement Section and TxDOT’s statewide
Strategic Public Engagement Guidance
.
4.4.14.4 Revise Design if Needed
Based on stakeholder input from the public meeting and local entities’ review of the project, the geometric schematic design may need to be revised. If the design and/or layout is revised, the District’s review team should review the revised materials.
Ensure that all public comments are captured and addressed. Consult with the TPP – Public Involvement Section on ideas for closing the “feedback loop” with the public and stakeholders to demonstrate how the project team responded to public comments.
Substantial changes in design may require additional environmental studies and/or documentation. Coordinate all changes with the District Environmental Coordinator.
  • Resources to consult:
  • Coordination:
  •  District Bridge Engineer
  •  District Drainage Engineer
  •  District Environmental Coordinator
  •  District Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator
  •  District Laboratory Engineer
  •  District Pavement Engineer
  •  District Utility Coordinator
  •  District Traffic Engineer
  •  District Railroad Coordinator
  •  District Landscape Architect
  •  Area office and District maintenance and construction staff for agreements with local entities
  •  Public Transit Coordinator
  •  BRG staff
  •  RRD staff
  •  DES – LA Section staff
  •  TPP – Freight and International Trade Office staff
  •  MTN - Pavement Asset Management Section for FWD, ground penetrating radar, dynamic cone penetrometer, and seismic pavement testing.
  •  DES – H&H Section staff
  •  TRF - Engineering Operations Branch staff
  •  Utility owners
  •  Power companies (location of power sources)
  •  Department of Public Safety (weigh stations)
  • Available training:
  •  BRG105 – Bridge Workshop – TxDOT
  •  BRG106 – Load and Resistance Factor Rating of Highway Bridges
  •  BRG108 – LFD for Highway Bridge Superstructures
  •  DES102 – Design Concepts from AASHTO
  •  DES106 – Freeway Design and Operations
  •  DES119 – Preliminary Design Process
  •  DES122 – Design & Construction for Pedestrian Access
  •  DES132 – Designing for Pedestrian Safety
  •  DES601 – Basic Hydrology & Hydraulics
  •  DES611 – Introduction to Hydrologic Modeling with HEC-HMS
  •  DES621 – Advanced Hydrologic Modeling with HEC-HMS
  •  DES808 – Practical Highway Hydrology
  •  DES823 – Performance Based Intersection Design and Operations FHWA
  •  GEO191 – Basic Geotechnical Engineering for Roadway
  •  GEO202 – Soils and Foundations Workshop
  •  MTN803 – Flexible Pavement Designs
  •  PMD142 - Construction Cost Estimating
  •  ROW001 – ROW Project Delivery Overview
  •  ROW100 – Identifying and Managing Utility Conflicts
  •  ROW101 – TxDOT Utility Coordination TCC153 – Concrete Series: Design of Pavement
  •  TCC205 – 3D Engineered Models for Construction Series: Surveying and 3D engineered Models
  •  TCC341 – Fundamentals of Bicycle Infrastructure
  •  TCC357 – Strategies for Accommodating Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and Motorcyclists in Work Zones
  •  TRF201 – Introduction to Traffic Operations
  •  TRF303 – Basic Networking for Traffic Systems
  •  i.eTRF504 – Principles of Freeway Guide Signing
  •  TRF450 – TxDOT Roadway Illuminations and Electrical Installations
  • * All training can be found in
    TxDOT’s Training Catalog