Section 3: Compliance with Planning Requirements
Anchor: #i1009812Overview
This section involves integrating project planning with various local, regional and statewide plans. As part of that integrated planning, applicable requirements are determined and complied with.
This section includes the following tasks. The tasks are listed in approximate chronological order but may be performed concurrently in some cases.
1300. Evaluate compliance with planning documents
1310. Identify and review related studies
1320. Obtain input from local entities and others
1340. Coordinate with Metropolitan Planning Organization
Anchor: #i10098271300: Evaluate compliance with planning documents
Description. After preparing a purpose and need statement (see 3240: Prepare “Purpose and Need” statement), the project manager assesses the following situations:
- Whether the proposed project follows the policy and mandates of the Texas Transportation Plan
- Whether the project is consistent with regional and local transportation plans
Pertinent Project Types. New construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation projects.
Responsible Party. Director of Transportation Planning and Development
Sub-tasks.
- Review Texas Transportation Plan, Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), and local master street plans.
- Review Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO’s) Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and projects selected by the district.
- Consult with district coordinators for other modes, and assess need to incorporate design features to accommodate other modes (e.g., transit, pedestrian, bike, port, railroad, aviation).
- For projects along the Gulf Coast, consult the State's Coastal Zone Management Plan for project development considerations.
- Work with the district planning staff to coordinate with the MPO and other planning entities.
Critical Sequencing.
- Delays may occur without proper coordination with the MPO and other stakeholders.
- The project must be listed in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) before any federal transportation funds can be used.
Resource Material.
- TxDOT Transportation Planning Manual
- Texas Transportation Plan
- Public Transportation in Texas - Profiles and Projections
- Coastal Zone Management Plan (for projects along the Gulf coast)
- Regional Plans: Economic or Transportation/Highway - available from the Texas Review and Comment System (TRACS)
- Metropolitan Transportation Plan - available from the MPO in urban areas
- City plans including: comprehensive plan; land use plans; street or transportation plans; and bicyclist/pedestrian plans.
1310: Identify and review related studies
Description. Related studies may provide information for planning a project and assessing the relationship between a specific project and neighboring projects. Obtaining and reviewing these studies gives a broader perspective of regional needs.
Types of related studies include:
- Feasibility study
- Route study
- Toll road study
- Corridor study
- Subarea study
- Major Investment Study (MIS)/environmental documentation
- Value engineering study.
Pertinent Project Types. New construction and reconstruction projects.
Responsible Party. Director of Transportation Planning and Development
Helpful Suggestions. Coordinate and consult with the Transportation Planning and Programming Division.
Critical Sequencing. This task should occur before preliminary design.
Resource Material. TxDOT Transportation Planning Manual
Anchor: #i10100271320: Obtain input from local entities and others
Description. Coordination with other entities and other areas of expertise is important to ensure that projects compliment the surrounding community. Consult the following for information on economic growth, transportation facilities, and long-range plans:
- municipal departments
- chambers of commerce
- Councils of Government (COGs)
- public utilities
- public housing
- rural areas' Texas Review and Comment System (TRACS) agency
- railroads
- ports and harbors
- bus companies.
Usually, the following district staff have established contacts with local entities:
- director of transportation planning and development
- advanced project development engineer
- area engineer
- public transportation coordinator
- bicycle coordinator
- pedestrian coordinator
- planner
- public information officer.
The following divisions may be contacted:
- Aviation Division for project development within airport property and interface issues
- Multimodal Section of the Transportation Planning and Programming Division (TPP) for waterway, rail freight, and ports issues
- Public Transportation Division.
Pertinent Project Types. All projects except preventive maintenance and restoration projects.
Responsible Party. Project manager
Sub-tasks.
- Coordinate this work with district staff and divisions listed above.
- Review local planning documents.
- Review any specialty municipal plans for study area.
- Review special purpose studies (for example, study to create an economic development area around a major terminal).
- Review Public Transportation in Texas - Profiles and Projections.
- Review other specialty plans, as appropriate (e.g., water/wastewater, other utility, aviation, railroad, ports).
- While obtaining plans, inquire from the agency whether they can advise of other relevant plans or agencies to contact.
Helpful Suggestions. Meet with city, county, and COG department managers to obtain input and published plans or information.
Critical Sequencing. Obtain local plans early because project planning by public and private local entities may affect TxDOT project planning.
Resource Material.
- TxDOT Transportation Planning Manual
- Municipal plans (comprehensive land use, transportation, housing, redevelopment, water/wastewater)
- City transportation plans: street, transit, pedestrian and bicycle, aviation, freight or transportation plan
- TRACS regional plans
- Chamber of commerce publications
- Councils of Government.
1340: Coordinate with Metropolitan Planning Organization
Description. A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is required for each urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more. The MPO’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) is a long-range plan that identifies transportation facilities functioning as an integrated transportation system. TxDOT project planning must be coordinated with applicable MTPs.
The public involvement process (see 3010: Determine public involvement needs) is an additional activity requiring coordination with the MPO. An MPO may have its own specific public involvement requirements.
Pertinent Project Types. Projects or facilities contained in the MTP.
Responsible Party. Director of Transportation Planning and Development
Helpful Suggestions. Coordinate with the district planning staff
Resource Material. TxDOT Transportation Planning Manual.