Problem Screening
Executive Summary
The Problem Screening (PS) Phase
is the beginning of the delivery
process for any potential
project. The
purpose is to investigate
a potential transportation
deficiency identified through
a Problem Statement
submitted to the Division
of Capital Investment Planning
and Development
(CIPD). The sources of the
Problem Statement may include
New Jersey Department of
Transportation (NJDOT) Management
Systems, Planning Studies,
a Metropolitan Planning Organization,
or internal and external
stakeholders. This phase
may involve a Problem Statement Review, Field Investigation,
and Review and Approval by the Capital
Program Screening Committee
(CPSC) and the Capital Program
Committee (CPC).
Objective(s)
The major objective of the PS
Phase is to effectively,
efficiently, and consistently
screen apparent transportation
problems in agreement with the
NJDOT’s 10 Year Statewide
Capital Investment Strategy (SCIS)
and project prioritization criteria.
This objective is expected to produce
selective proposals that are consistent
with the SCIS performance related
goals, objectives and investment
targets for potential advancement
while conforming to State and Federal
requirements.
Funding
The PS Phase is federally
funded as this work is related
to the development of the
state highway, transit and local
Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP).
Key Stakeholders
The NJDOT Subject Matter Experts
(SMEs) are asked during Problem Statement Reviews and for Management
System scores. The
Division of Project Management
performs Field Investigations.
Some typical Project Stakeholders include, but are not limited to, the following:
Internal Stakeholders (SME):
- Division of Project Management
- Bureau of Structural Engineering
- Bureau of Traffic Engineering
- Pavement and Drainage
Management
- Bureau of Transportation Data
and Safety
- Bureau of Commuter and Mobility
Strategies (Bicycle and
Pedestrian Unit)
- Bureau of Systems Planning
- Bureau of Landscape Architecture
and Environmental Solutions
- Division of Capital Investment
Planning and Development
External Stakeholders:
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO)
- State Office of Smart Growth
- New Jersey State Police
- Residents and Business Owners
- Business and Community Groups
- Elected Officials and Local
Representatives
- Commuters
- Local Police Departments
Phase Initiation
To initiate the PS Phase,
the following activities
should be completed:
- Problem Statement identification
Major Tasks
The major tasks associated with
the PS Phase are summarized
below.
- Perform a Problem Statement Review. This
is a three step process.
The CIPD staff:
- reviews
the Problem Statement
for possible duplication
of an existing project;
- identifies
whether correcting
the potential transportation
deficiency outlined
in the Problem Statement
is in general conformity
to NJDOT’s
Capital Investment
Planning and Development goals and
objectives; and
- identifies and documents
any known risk in risk
register
The
outcome of a Problem Statement Review can
be:
- assignment
to the Division
of Operations as
a maintenance work
order;
- request for
disposition by CPSC;
- initiation of Field Investigation;
- assignment
to external agency;
or
- placed on hold
or withdraw.
These
outcomes
are decided on by the
CIPD Division, and
take into account the
availability of funding.
If a withdraw
occurs, the Problem
Statement is returned to
the files and kept
by the CIPD Division for
possible
future reference or
review. It
is the responsibility
of the CIPD
Division to record
the outcome of this
process.
- Perform a Field Investigation. This
screening is done
by the Division of
Project Management (DPM),
and a recommendation
is made that identifies
the most efficient
and rapid path that the
deficiency outlined in
the PS could follow
to move ahead. The
result of a Field Investigation can also
be placement in a future
Study and Development
Program, or withdraw.
- Obtain approval
to advance. Once
DPM prepares a
recommendation,
the CIPD Division places
the Problem Statement
and recommendation
on the CPSC agenda
for discussion and
recommendation to the
CPC. The Screening
Committee, chaired
by the Director of
CIPD, will evaluate
the recommendations
and make a determination
and recommendation
for actions by the CPC. The
CPC, chaired by
the NJDOT Deputy
Commissioner, will
make a determination
including the project
scope as well as the
process path to be
followed.
When applicable,
the CPC can recommend
that a Problem
Statement be withdrawn
or recycled to
the Problem Statement
file, maintained
by the CIPD Division
and be kept as
a resource for
potentially re-identifying
Problem Statements
for future consideration
in the Study
and Development
Program.
Products
The major products for the
PS Phase may include:
- Problem Statement validation, subject to screening and funding that can move into the Study and Development (S&D) Program as proposals for Concept Development
- Proposed Project, subject to funding
- Senior Management decision that further advancement is not warranted and that the decision is documented and the case is closed
- Problem Statement Priority Rankings
- Problem Statement Tracking Database
- Problem Statement Status Reports
- Charter
- Problem Statement Review Documentation
- Field Investigation Report
Phase Closing
The following items must
be completed to leave the
PS Phase:
- Problem Statement Review
- Initiation of quick fixes under a maintenance work order conducted by the Division of Operations, if applicable
- Field Investigation, if applicable
- CPC Approval to advance
the Field Investigation recommendation
to a proposed project,
to withdraw or place in
a future Study and Development
Program
Note:
No Problem Statement is permitted
to go forward to Concept
Development until final
approval is given by the
CPC and a funding source
is identified by the CIPD
Division. Exceptions
are Problem Statements
that are pursued as NJDOT
maintenance projects which
fall within the limited
scope of work that can
be completed through a
maintenance work order
and funded by a maintenance
line item.
Some files are in Portable Document Format (PDF) and will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (available at our Adobe Access Page).
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