17.2.2 Technical Memorandums

Technical memorandums are documents that give reviewers the opportunity to examine and provide feedback on study results before they are compiled into a final report. The type and complexity of the analysis will determine the contents of the technical memorandums. Technical memorandums vary in scope but are often individual topics found in reports. It is recommended that content of the technical memorandums be reviewed and approved before proceeding to development of alternative scenarios. Technical memorandums typically include:
  • Methodology Technical Memorandum.
    This serves as a summary of the Scoping Form (introductions, project description, preliminary data review, preliminary alternative identification, analysis tool considerations, initial MOE selection, traffic forecasting, and undetermined or unresolved project scoping elements). A recommended outline for the methodology technical memorandum is available in
    Appendix B, Section 2 – Methodology Technical Memorandum.
  • Traffic Projections Methodology Technical Memorandum.
     Future year traffic projections are critical for the accurate evaluation of alternatives. This technical memorandum includes traffic projections methodology, assumptions, and recommendations. The memorandum contains a description of the historical growth rate TDM growth rate, and US census growth rates for the study area. Explanations of traffic projections for the alternatives are incorporated into the traffic projections methodology technical memorandum. Traffic projections can be approved prior to analyzing alternatives. A recommended outline for the traffic projections methodology technical memorandum is included in
    Appendix D, Section 2 – Traffic Projections Methodology Memorandum Outline.
  • Alternatives Analysis Technical Memorandum.
     This technical memorandum documents the decision-making process where multiple alternatives are evaluated and a preferred alternative is selected. It provides context for the project and discusses tier 1 evaluation, tier 2 evaluation, and preferred alternative selection. A recommended outline for the alternatives analysis technical memorandum is available in
    Appendix I, Section 1 – Alternatives Analysis Tech Memo Sample Outline.
  • Model Development Technical Memorandum.
     This technical memorandum documents the model development process, including data requirements, microsimulation network development, calibration and validation, alternatives analysis, and an appendix with raw traffic data, calibration calculations, and model outputs. A recommended outline for the model development technical memorandum is included in
    Appendix N, Section 2 – Model Development Report.
Technical memorandum deliverables can be accompanied by respective model datasets for TxDOT to replicate, as needed.