County Route	Job Number	Core Team Member

(New 1-1-03)

PLANNING

SCOPING CHECKLIST

(Add additional notes as required)

A project’s scope can be defined as the set of design parameters that precisely satisfy the purpose and need of the project. A poorly identified scope that is broader than the purpose and need will result in an unnecessarily high project budget and schedule, while a scope which falls short will yield a project that accomplishes little of significance. While an accurate project scope is difficult to identify early in development, a careful, multidisciplinary examination of the purpose and need will produce a solid foundation upon which project development can occur.

This checklist is designed to stimulate thought on those project parameters that are sometimes overlooked and whose omission can jeopardize the integrity of the scope. At the initial scoping meeting, the appropriate core team member should fill out the checklist as completely as possible. As project development progresses, the core team member should continue to update the checklist and coordinate with the project manager. In this manner, potential changes to the project scope can be dealt with as they emerge and the scope represented by the preliminary plan will be as accurate as possible.

Needs:

What is the need?
Input from the Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Regional Planning Organizations
Was this project a priority to the local planning organizations?
Outside Core Team Planning Members
Will there be a benefit to the project to use outside planning staff as core team members?

Provide the current Functional Classification of the roadway.

(The functional classification affects the design standards.)
TMS Data
Traffic Volumes
Safety/Accident History
Congestion/LOS
Bridge Condition
Pavement Condition/ ARAN Data
Urban Boundaries
Design standards may change within urban boundaries. May require additional coordination with MPO.
Congressional Action/Law
Was this project funded as a Congressional high priority project?
Does any special funding create timing restrictions?
Political Action
Has this project received any strong political support or opposition?
Have affected politicians been notified of any changes in the project, especially timing or funding?
Economic Analysis/Regional Development Analysis
Population Changes
Job Trends
Population analyses as related to environmental justice (may be covered by environmental or inspection general’s departments)
Language Proficiency-Research to determine needs for providing communications in languages other than English
Land Use
Does this project affect adjacent or nearby land use plans?
Are future land uses being considered as a part of selecting the appropriate design?
Long Range Transportation Direction
Is this project being designed in accordance with the MoDOT Long Range Transportation Direction?
Is this project part of an MPO/RPC Long Range Plan?
Is this project included in Tier 1, 2 or 3? (For system expansion project only)

Multimodal: These items may be addressed by the Multimodal section or the Bike and Pedestrian Coordinator.

Origin/Destination Studies-Determine how all modes interact with each other in the project area
Do bicycle and pedestrian facilities need to be provided?
Is this part of a statewide or local bicycle plan?
Is this part of a statewide or local pedestrian plan or Bicycle Plan?
Identify what modes are impacted. Does this project provide or affect intermodal connections?
Funding availability for other modes and eligibility
Ports
Connectivity to road system and each other
Airports – Clearance
Transit/Bus Turnouts
University Transit ways
Identify all Partners
Ferries

Urgency/Funding Availability/Sources:

Anticipated earliest program year
Program Agreements – Is there a deadline to spend funding?
Funding maximums – Interim solutions, ultimate solutions
Discuss how scope creep affects budget
Urgency – Economic/Safety/Political Priorities/Transportation Improvement Program
Identify funding sources and explain uses
Funding/letting date vs. project schedule-this may be a project development function in some districts
Ensure that incentive amounts for contract acceleration are included in the programmed amounts
Local Funds included? – When are these submitted to MoDOT?
Award of Project/Concurrence from local agency
Long term value of alternate solutions-is this the correct solution for the long term with the money available today?

Project Coordination:

MPO/RPC Input
Communicate need and determine what is or is not part of the project
Review for access management applicability
Assist w/Focus groups
How does project fit with other projects in same area (traffic control, RE construction work load, type of improvement, project distribution), letting in combination
Use other meetings to also provide project information
The duplication of this section and the needs sections acts as a reminder to continue to consider these items throughout the project.

For questions, comments, or suggested revisions to this checklist, please contact the Transportation Planning Director.