illustrates the steps in the general performance-based design process. Chapter 5 of gives a detailed process framework for application of performance-based analysis. The application of the framework is organized into three broad project development phases – project initiation, planning, and preliminary engineering.

Project Context – Determine the context (rural, rural town, suburban, urban, or urban core) of the project to help identify the facility users and special needs influencing geometric design decisions. See for more discussion on context classification and its application.

Intended Outcomes – The results of determining the intended outcomes are the identification of the following:

Geometric Influences – This step identifies the geometric characteristics or decisions that influence a project’s performance as it relates to the categories of accessibility, mobility, quality of service, reliability, and safety.

Potential Solutions – Potential solutions should be developed with a particular awareness of what has been learned in previous steps. The solutions can be general concepts early in project development or more detailed, project specific solutions to address a specific need, issue, or challenge.

Estimated Performance – Once the appropriate evaluation tool and resources are selected for the given project and performance measures, designers can apply the tool or resource to assess the project alternatives’ relative performance.

Financial Feasibility – Financial feasibility approaches include:

Selection – Based on the results of the estimated performance and financial feasibility step, the designer will select a preferred alternative or refine alternatives and reevaluate their performance.