Each project nomination can receive a maximum of
100 points:
up to 60 points in general scoring
and
up to 40 points in activity-specific
scoring.
In the general scoring process, all
applications are scored by the same point system.
For the specific-activity scoring, the 10 transportation
enhancement activity categories are grouped into four
divisions of commonality, then a proposal is scored
within the applicable division. The 10 categories
are grouped only for this purpose.
Scoring is applied to the activities
on which the enhancement funds will be spent and on
the immediate and direct effects of these activities.
For example, future or suspected benefit of the project,
not directly a part of the project, should not be
subject to scoring.
These are the scoring values for
the general merit criteria, and the possible points
in each area:
Regional and Community Enhancement 50
points
Cost Effectiveness/Reasonable Cost 10
points
Total Possible General Score 60
points
These are the activity-specific divisions
and the possible points in each area. A project can
score in only one of the specific divisions.
1. Bicycle, Pedestrian, Abandoned
Rail Right-of-Way 40 points
2. Historic/Archaeological 40
points
3. Transportation Aesthetics
and Scenic Values 40 points
4. Water Pollution Due to Highway
Runoff 40 points
Total Possible Specific Score
(1 Division only) 40 points
General Merit Criteria
Each application will be evaluated
on the following general merit criteria:
The project score in this area
is derived from the project’s primary effects
– its intent and purpose – on the following
elements.
a. Benefit to quality-of-life,
community, environment. Examples might include
provision of safe, aesthetic pedestrian facility
at a rail station, removal of billboards on a
rural scenic highway, provision for wildlife corridors
or migration areas. 0-10 points
b. Increases access to activity
centers, such as businesses, schools, recreational
areas and shopping areas. Connects transportation
modes, has multimodal aspects. Reinforces, complements
the regional transportation system, fills deficiency
in the system. 0-8 points
c. Implements goals in the
regional transportation plan, or other adopted
federal, state, or local plans. Examples might
include water quality plans or elements of general
plans. 0-8 points
d. Increases availability,
awareness or protection of historic, community,
visual or natural resources. 0-8 points
e. Degree of regional or community
support. For example, letters of support from
local interest groups and public bodies, additional
match. 0-8 points
Encompasses more than one of
the four activity-specific divisions. That is,
the project has aspects of other activity-specific
division(s) which would score meritoriously in
and of themselves. There will be direct and intended
public benefit from these merits; the benefits
are not remotely related by function and proximity
to the main project activity, or only suspected
to occur by the main activity. 0-8 points
The
project score in this area is a function of improved
performance or productivity of the project as it relates
to the annualized total project cost. Where the project
does not lend itself to this type of analysis, the
reasonableness of the cost should be established.
How many people will use the enhancement? What is
the length of the life cycle? For example, a bicycle
route that takes advantage of existing public land
may be considered more cost effective than one that
purchases private property. In the same way, a project
that has large preliminary engineering costs proportionate
to the resultant enhancement may be considered less
cost effective, depending on the resulting use. Scarcity
values, too, can enter into a "reasonable cost",
for instance, if a unique and valuable viewshed may
be lost to pending development.
No
preference will be given to overmatched projects.
Highly cost-effective 10
points
Reasonable cost or moderately cost-effective 6
points
Low cost-effectiveness 2
points
Not cost-effective/Not applicable 0
points
Activity-Specific Criteria
The Activity-Specific Criteria are
groupings of the 10 activity categories into four
divisions with similar characteristics. This is done
for the convenience of those who score the proposals.
The four groups are not intended to affect the
distribution of funds, nor to be anything other
than a convenience to the RTPAs in the scoring process.
Scores are for ranking at the regional level only.
The scores are not used by the Commission to compare
projects between RTPAs on a statewide level, because
each RTPA will be considering its own local priorities,
which differ throughout the state.
A proposal can score in only one
of Divisions 1 through 4.
The project score in each activity-specific
division is designed to compensate for inability to
score in other specific groups. It is not a way to
double count benefits.
1. Bicycle, Pedestrian, Abandoned
Rail Right of Way Specific Division (40 points)
This division encompasses:
Category 1: Provision of facilities
for pedestrians and bicycles
Category 7: Preservation of
abandoned railway corridors (including the conversion
of use thereof for pedestrian or bicycle trails)
Need for proposed facilities: shortage
of bicycle or pedestrian facilities; missing link
in connecting the intermodal system, importance of
link; Necessity of proposed facilities to serve the
system:
High 10 - 20 points
Medium 5 - 10 points
Low 0 - 5 points
Degree proposed project meets needs
or addresses opportunities for bicycle or pedestrian
facilities:
High 10 - 20 points
Medium 5 - 10 points
Low 0 - 5 points
2. Historic/Archaeological
Specific Division (40 points)
This division encompasses:
Category 2: Acquisition of historic
sites
Category 3: Historic highway
programs
Category 5: Historic preservation
Category 6: Rehabilitation and
operation of historic transportation buildings,
structures or facilities (including historic railroad
facilities and canals)
Category 9: Archaeological planning
and research.
Current recognized level of historic
significance (federal, state, or local):
High 10 - 20 points
Medium 5 - 10 points
Low 0 - 5 points
Degree project activity will enhance,
preserve, or protect the historic/archaeological resource:
High 10 - 20 points
Medium 5 - 10 points
Low 0 - 5 points
3. Transportation Aesthetics
and Scenic Values Specific Division (40 points)
This division encompasses:
Category 2: Acquisition of scenic
easements and scenic sites
Category 3: Scenic highway programs
Category 4: Landscaping and
other scenic beautification
Category 8: Control and removal
of outdoor advertising.
Degree to which scenic or aesthetic
resources are rare, unique, or significant; degree
to which potential for enhancement exists for landscaping
or scenic beautification; current degree of visual
blight:
High 10 - 20 points
Medium 5 - 10 points
Low 0 - 5 points
Degree to which project will preserve,
rehabilitate or develop scenic or aesthetic resource:
High 10 - 20 points
Medium 5 - 10 points
Low 0 - 5 points
4. Water Pollution Due to Highway
Runoff Specific Division (40 points)
This division encompasses:
Category 10: Mitigation of water
pollution due to highway runoff.
Magnitude of environmental problem:
High 10 - 20 points
Medium 5 - 10 points
Low 0 - 5 points
Degree to which activity solves this
problem:
High 10 - 20 points
Medium 5 - 10 points
Low 0 - 5 points
