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Section 3: Route Studies

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Route Studies Process

Route studies are typically conducted in an area around one or two cities/towns that is or is forecasted to experience adverse traffic congestion, has unsafe operating conditions due to outdated roadway design or other circumstances where a route study is warranted. This type of study is typically conducted when it is known from a feasibility study or other data such as vehicle crash information and traffic projections, that a “no-build” option or Transportation Systems Management and Operations-type solutions would not alleviate the problems.

The purpose of a route study is to identify a specific build option(s) for further detailed schematic design and/or environmental impact analysis. There is no guarantee that after the study such an option would be identified and/or implemented due to such variables as public controversy as well as fatal flaws such as excessive cost, extensive right of way acquisition or potentially significant environmental impacts.

As part of the route option development process, broader corridors may first need to be defined in the study area in collaboration with the public where reasonable route options can be developed and would have general community support. Route options typically include the construction of roadways on new alignment or along the existing highway where substantial improvements that would increase capacity, such as new main lanes and/or frontage roads, enhance mobility, such as limiting access and grade separations such as overpasses and interchanges, and improve safety. Route options may also include design elements to accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians, public transportation and railroads. Route studies do not include high-occupancy vehicle lanes, high-occupancy/toll lanes, and tolled facilities or managed lanes as route options.

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Collection of Information for the Route Study

TxDOT will use available data as applicable to conduct the study. This includes but not limited to:

Data is also obtained from literature searches and purchase of materials such as GIS databases and land use plans from other entities such as government agencies (federal, state, regional, local), and private organizations. Counting traffic may be needed to augment traffic data that TxDOT has. Driving along the existing highway corridor and adjacent public roads in the study area can provide additional context and possible identification of land uses and environmental features that were not identified during the literature search. Data collection on private property such as taking photographs or subsurface samples is not conducted during a route study. The need to access private property for a route study is extremely rare and would only be requested by TxDOT and authorized by the landowner(s) only with written authorization.

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Route Study Contents

A route study may include the preparation of:

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  • Maps and graphics, such as study area limits, environmental features, corridors where route options were developed, and route options
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  • Typical section(s) (rural and/or urban, with and without frontage roads)
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  • Summaries of meetings with stakeholders, TxDOT personnel, citizen committees, etc.
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  • Technical Memoranda
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    • traffic analysis (methodology, existing and projected conditions; crash frequency)
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    • engineering considerations, including design criteria, typical section(s), route option evaluation, preliminary cost estimates (construction, right-of-way acquisition, utility adjustments)
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    • other subject matter as warranted
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  • Route study report prepared using the information above and including:
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    • Background information, including study area description and information from previously conducted feasibility studies
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    • Purpose and need
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    • Correspondence/Resolutions from cities, counties and planning organizations (Metropolitan Planning Organization, Rural Planning Organization) supporting the conduct of the route study
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    • Inventory of existing transportation system features, modes, operating conditions and safety issues
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    • Environmental features and land use [including, but not limited to natural resources, water resources, community facilities such as parks, schools, first responder facilities, air quality status (attainment, non-attainment), future land use]
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    • Descriptions of the route option and evaluation process
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    • Summary of public outreach and engagement (i.e. brief description of tools used such as a project website, newsletters, stakeholder working group, public meeting(s))
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    • Findings, which may include recommending a specific route option(s) or course of action by TxDOT
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Soliciting Comments on the Route Study

Public outreach and engagement are important elements of the route study. The feedback that TxDOT receives helps TxDOT make informed decisions about project development.

Before TxDOT commences a route study, it will require elected city and/or county officials from the community(ies) where the study will occur to provide TxDOT with resolutions of support to conduct the study. This encourages local involvement and ownership of the study, but does not obligate those governments to endorse a specific route option recommendation or course of action.

There are various tools and methods that TxDOT uses to inform and obtain feedback from interested parties. These include, but are not limited to:

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  • Citizen committees such as a stakeholder working group comprised of elected officials, business representatives, agencies, and private citizens;
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  • Study information on TxDOT’s website txdot.gov;
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  • Fact sheets;
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  • Individual meetings with groups, citizens, elected officials, agencies, etc.;
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  • Public meetings to exchange information, to vet route options, to present findings and receive written and/or spoken comments during the meeting and usually 10-14 calendar days afterwards;
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  • Providing translation services at public meetings for citizens who are limited or non-English speaking and/or hearing and visually impaired;
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  • Online surveys; and
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  • TxDOT points of contact at the Transportation Planning and Programming (TPP) Division-Corridor Planning and the local TxDOT District office where the study is occurring.
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Route Study Approval

Approval that a route study has been successfully completed resides with both the local TxDOT District office and the TPP Division-Corridor Planning. Approval will occur with the acceptance of study deliverables as identified in a scope of work, whether that is prepared by TxDOT or a consultant. If a citizen committee that has been involved with a route study, TxDOT may request concurrence that the study has been completed to its satisfaction.

Route study approval by the District office and TPP Division does not commit TxDOT or the Texas Transportation Commission to implement all recommendations noted in the final route study report. It does not commit TxDOT and the Texas Transportation Commission to proceed to the next phase of project development (detailed schematic design and/or environmental impact analysis).

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