Need for and Purpose of the Action

Need for and Purpose of the Action

(Need and Purpose)

A Need and Purpose Statement will identify and describe the proposed action and the transportation problem(s) or other needs that the action is intended to address (40 CFR 1502.13). This section should clearly demonstrate that a "Need" exists and should define the "Need" in terms understandable to the general public. This statement should identify the critical issues as well as any secondary benefits. Data and discussion must be provided to support each conclusion.

1. 
   Planning background and Project history:
   
   1. 
      Project Status - Briefly describe the project history including actions taken to date, other agencies and governmental units involved, action spending, and schedules.
      
2. 
   Logical termini discussion should include traffic generators at the termini (if applicable), existing typical sections at the termini, as well as, demonstrate that the project:
   
   1. 
      Connects logical points and is of sufficient length,
      
   2. 
      Has independent utility, and
      
   3. 
      Does not restrict consideration of alternatives for other reasonably foreseeable improvements.
      
3. 
   Traffic:
   
   1. 
      Existing and design year.
      
   2. 
      Capacity:
      
      1. 
         Is the capacity of the present facility inadequate for the present traffic?
         
      2. 
         What capacity is needed?
         
      3. 
         What are the levels of service for the existing facility, Preferred Alternative, and “No-Build Alternative”?
         
4. 
   General land use in the project area, context and setting of the project.
   
5. 
   Identification of any known Environmental Justice or other community concerns.
   
6. 
   Relationship to statewide and local transportation plan(s) (if in an area where they exist):
   
   1. 
      Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
      
   2. 
      State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
      
   3. 
      Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) references.
      
   4. 
      List other projects identified in the vicinity of the proposed project.
      

Elements that must be included, if these issues form the basis of the transportation problem being addressed:

1. 
   Safety:
   
   1. 
      Is the proposed project necessary to correct an existing or potential safety hazard?
      
   2. 
      Is the existing accident rate excessively high?
      
      1. 
         Accident data to substantiate this concern - raw
         
      2. 
         Numbers and comparison to statewide averages as well as types of accidents
         
   3. 
      How will the proposed project improve it?
      
2. 
   Roadway Deficiencies
   
   1. 
      Is the proposed project necessary to correct existing roadway deficiencies?
      
      1. 
         Substandard geometry
         
      2. 
         Load limits on structures
         
      3. 
         Inadequate cross-section
         
      4. 
         High maintenance costs, or
         
      5. 
         Provide alternative transportation modes
         
   2. 
      How will the proposed project improve it?
      

Other elements that may be appropriate and could be added to bolster the Project’s Need and Purpose.

1. 
   System Linkage:
   
   1. 
      Is the proposed project a "connecting link?"
      
   2. 
      How does it fit in the transportation system?
      
2. 
   Legislation - Is there a Federal, State, or local governmental mandate for the action?
   
3. 
   Social Demands or Economic Development:
   
   1. 
      New employment, schools, land use plans, recreation, etc.
      
   2. 
      What projected economic development/land use changes indicate the need to improve or add to the highway capacity?
      
4. 
   Modal Interrelationships - How will the proposed facility interface with and serve to complement airports, rail and port facilities, mass transit services, etc.?
   

The Need and Purpose may be updated as the project analysis progresses.

To assist the Team Leader in completing the Concept Report, the following information is herein provided:

• 
  A Major Project is one for which Time Saving Procedures are not appropriate. A Public Hearing, or Opportunity for a Public Hearing, and Location and Design approval are required. A Major Project requires the acquisition of significant amounts of right-of-way, substantially changes the functions of the facility being improved, has a significant impact on abutting property, has significant changes in travel patterns, or has significant social, economic, or environmental effects.
  

• 
  For a Minor Project, Time Saving Procedures are appropriate. When the concept for a Minor Project is approved, the Location and Design for the project is approved. For this reason the "Other Alternates Considered" section of the Concept Report will be carefully considered and the recommended concept justified.