8.1.1 Overview

An alternatives analysis is a decision-making process where multiple alternatives are evaluated and a preferred alternative selected. This chapter describes three important aspects of the alternatives analysis process (criteria definition, alternative development, and alternative evaluation), and provides a sample report outline. General characteristics of an alternatives analysis, as well as general steps, are provided below.
Alternatives analyses includes:
  • Defining evaluation criteria, such as safety, mobility, and environmental performance measures;
  • Developing project alternatives, defining evaluation criteria, and selecting a preferred alternative through a detailed screening process; and
  • Evaluating, comparing, and prioritizing alternatives based on evaluation criteria
The alternatives analysis process involves the following steps. This is represented in the flow diagram in .
  1. Determine purpose and need
  2. Set goals and objectives
  3. Define overall project scope and study area
  4. Define evaluation criteria
  5. Establish performance measures
  6. Develop alternatives a. Refine project scope, study area, and performance measures as needed
  7. Evaluate alternatives
  8. Score, rank and select preferred alternative
Alternatives Analysis Process
Figure 8-1: Alternatives Analysis Process