Projects are selected for inclusion in the TIP
based on the selection cooperatively developed by the CDTC Staff, NYSDOT, CDTA,
other members of CDTC's Planning Committee and other interested parties. In general, the overall process requires the
identification of candidate highway and transit projects, the objective
evaluation of the merits of each project, and selection of projects in
accordance with a set of principles. Project selection for dedicated transit
funds (FTA Sections 5307, 5309, 5310, and 5311) are considered separately.
New
candidate projects are evaluated for merit in three steps.
1. Screen: Minimum requirements were established that each project is required to
meet. These "screening"
criteria insure that every project considered for programming is consistent
with New Visions and local land use
plans, has a funding plan, could be constructed within the five-year TIP
period, and is eligible for federal funds.
2.
Evaluate Merit: A project must pass screen in order to proceed to
merit evaluation. The merits of every project passing screen are fairly evaluated and
summarized on a one-page fact sheet. A
blank fact sheet is included for reference on page G-10. The
merit evaluation procedure used the best available information from CDTC's
models, from corridor studies, and from the project sponsor.
3. Choose Projects: A "balanced" Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP) contributes to a staged regional plan for maintenance of
essential facilities and services, demand management and capacity
improvements. Before considering new
projects, the balance of the TIP's existing commitments is examined, from a
variety of perspectives -- project sponsor, geographic, and by project
type. Then, programming capacity is
assigned to projects based primarily on quantified merit, insuring the best
candidates programming status. This is
done by project category; setting programming targets based on knowledge of the
existing program balance. After public
review, CDTC adopts a final program that allocates all estimated available
revenues to specific projects.
The project selection process
for new projects is detailed in Appendix G and the merit evaluation procedure
is detailed in Appendix I. The procedure was not applied during the 2001-06 TIP update because no
solicitation for new projects was done.