01660409

Component

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) can improve their transportation plans by enhancing the project-scoping process. Insufficient project development at the scoping phase may lead to significant repercussions, including serious cost and schedule overruns. Inaccurate cost estimates and letting dates can even result in cascading effects on the viability of other planned development.A gap analysis at the national level revealed that a lack of defined project-development processes hampers MPOs’ efforts to implement Metropolitan Transportation Programs (MTPs) and Transportation Improvement Plans (TIPs).The objective of this paper is to present a robust project-scoping framework specifically tailored for MPOs. The framework consists of three consecutive stages. In Stage A, a transportation need is studied to define the initial scope and dimensions of the project for inclusion in the MTP. Initial cost and schedule estimates can be mapped using this early information. In Stage B, the components and dimensions of the project are further refined for inclusion in the TIP. Finally, in Stage C of the scoping process, the schematic design of project components is developed. At this stage, up to 30% of the design has been completed, allowing for more precise cost and schedule estimates in preparation for the detailed-design phase.Implementing this multi-stage scoping process in a consistent fashion can help to ensure a more effective development trajectory as well as accurate comparisons among different potential projects. As a result, MPOs can increase confidence in their budgeting and scheduling, ultimately resulting in greater transportation benefits to the public.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADA20 Standing Committee on Metropolitan Policy, Planning, and Processes.

18-03706

English

0000-0001-7618-8159

15p

2018

Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References

Metropolitan planning organizations; Project management; Transportation planning; Urban transportation

Project scoping

Administration and Management; Design; Planning and Forecasting; Transportation (General)

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2018 Paper #18-03706

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 8 2018 10:55AM