Projects that comprise the SHRP 2 Capacity Research Plan are shown in the Projects database, which is organized by project number. Click the project number for a description of the expected project activity.

COLLABORATIVE DECISION MAKING FRAMEWORK
Posted: July 28, 2008
View the overview of the Collaborative Decision Making Framework relevant to Capacity projects C08 and C09.

FRAMEWORK FOR SHRP 2 TRANSPORTATION DECISION MAKING (CAPACITY) RESEARCH

The nation’s highway system represents but one of many systems—including natural, social, economic, political, and technological—that interact with each other. The planning and design of highways, therefore, must be performed with adequate attention to how these systems interact and influence one another.

The conceptual framework for transportation decision making, developed in the research plan, is based on the need to develop approaches and tools for systematically integrating environmental, economic, and community requirements into the analysis, planning, and design of new highway capacity. The framework is characterized by three primary components:

1. Transportation as a system—The first component of the framework is the identification of alternative transportation solutions to accessibility, safety, and mobility needs. Given the need, solutions may include a combination of operations, technology, infrastructure, demand/supply management, multi-modal strategies, and other tactics. Outcomes resulting from this component of the conceptual framework include the following:

Transportation priorities are established to support broad visions for how we want our neighborhoods, towns, and regions to prosper;
Early consideration is given to safety, mobility, environmental, economic, community, and land use goals; and
A broad range of potential solutions, including operational improvements, transit, highway capacity, and demand management are fully considered.

2. Transportation’s relationships to other systems—The second component of the conceptual framework deals with the inter-relationship of transportation to the other human and natural systems that define urban or rural areas, including: (1). water, energy, and communications infrastructure; (2). local, state, national, and global economies; (3). land uses; and (4). ecosystems. Successful integration of these related systems hinges on a process that can prioritize transportation solutions based on the environmental, economic, and social footprints of alternatives.

This component centers on evaluations of the transportation solutions packages that are developed under the first component. The outcomes resulting from this component of the framework will include the following:

Transportation agencies effectively communicate with the public, decision makers, and politicians;
The public is involved and engaged in the development of solutions and throughout the decision-making process;
Agencies and key stakeholders work together to reach decisions collaboratively,
in a timely manner, and with clear decision points; and
Development of solutions to transportation capacity needs balances and integrates economic, safety, mobility, social, and environmental considerations.

3. Highway development—The third component of the conceptual framework reflects the culmination of an integrated systems planning and project development process. This component of the framework results in the following outcomes:

Project decisions are consistent with plans and satisfy commitments made in planning and project development;
Projects enhance the natural environment and communities, with a focus on environmental performance, community goals, and economic performance, rather than on narrow impact mitigation;
The environmental review process is accelerated and is based on clear and firm decision points that build consensus and reduce project delivery delays;
The best technical skills are applied in all aspects of transportation project management (from planning to implementation); and
Project cost estimates are accurate.