Section 6: Project Selection
Anchor: #i1008911Introduction
The District traffic safety specialists (TSSs) and Traffic Operations Division (TRF) traffic safety program managers review each project proposal for applicability to Texas’ traffic safety problems. A Traffic Safety Project Proposal Score Sheet is used to score each project against a number of selected criteria that are based on each element of the project proposal.
The TSSs may review local projects from their districts to determine if they are viable before submission to TRF-TS. These “local” projects are those that are primarily within each district. In some instances, however, a project may be active in more than one district. For example, corridor traffic safety projects covering more than one district’s area may be managed by just one district TSS with the agreement of the other affected district TSSs.
Division-managed projects (those managed by TRF program managers) have broad impact across the state and potentially affect many districts. Examples of division-managed projects include statewide studies or surveys, training programs on roadway safety and for law enforcement, some public information and education projects, and school bus driver and EMS provider training.
A project proposal review team is convened to score all projects so that a consensus opinion can be reached on each project using score sheets and scoring criteria.
After scoring all the projects, the review team leaders turn their score sheet results into the planner, who places the projects on a draft proposed project list for further review and prioritization. Priorities are assigned based on point scores, rankings, and the estimated amount of federal dollars that will be available for the HSP for the coming fiscal year.
Anchor: #i1008941Project Scoring
Each year project selection teams score traffic safety projects according to the criteria described in this section. The project selection teams are composed of district project managers and division program managers.
The project selection teams use specific criteria to score each project proposal. The criteria are the same regardless of geographic coverage (local, multi-county, state, etc.).
A range of point values is assigned to most elements of the project proposal. A range of criteria responses is also provided to help the scorer determine the strength of the proposal. After initial scores are assigned, a “multiplier” is applied based on the relative importance of the criterion to the overall proposal. Thus a final score is awarded to each scoreable criterion.
Anchor: #i1008961Recommendation
After completing the score sheet, the scorer indicates the recommended funding for the project and provides a rationale statement if the recommended amount is lower than the amount requested in the proposal. In no case can an amount higher than that requested in the proposal be recommended.
Anchor: #i1008971Scoring Process and Criteria
Each project is evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Is a traffic safety problem identified and is the problem supported with current and applicable data?
- Is the solution directly related to the traffic safety problem identified?
- Are the objectives appropriate to the problem and solution and to the goal and strategy from the RFP?
- Do the performance goals follow the SMART principle (specific, measurable, action oriented, realistic, and “time-framed”)?
- Do the performance measures and targets provide measured progress toward the objectives?
- Is the Action Plan (Form 1852) included in the proposal?
- Does the budget contain two or more errors, one error, or is the budget accurate?
- Is the budget reasonable, and are costs eligible for funding?
- Does the budget include all required information for costs in all categories?
- Is the matching contribution above the required amount?
Target-of-Opportunity Projects
TRF-TS may recommend unanticipated or “target-of-opportunity” projects at any time. Such projects will require an amendment to the State Highway Safety Plan.