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 Strategies
(CIS). 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
Tier 1 Screening, Tier 2
Screening, 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
(SME) are asked during Tier
1 Screenings and for Management
System scores. The
Division of Project Management
performs Tier 2 Screenings.
Some typical Project Stakeholders include, but are not limited to, the following:
Internal Stakeholders (SME):
- Division of Project Management
- Division of Capital Program Management
- Bureau of Structural Engineering
- Bureau of Traffic and Signal Safety Engineering
- Bureau of Traffic Engineering and Investigation
- Drainage and Pavement Management
- Bureau of Safety Programs
- Bureau of Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
- Bureau of Systems Planning
- Bureau of Landscape Architecture
and Environmental Solutions
- Division of Capital Investment Strategies
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 Tier 1 Screening. This
is a three step process.
The CIS 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
Strategy goals and
objectives; and
- obtains
SME reviews to establish
the most appropriate
path for advancement.
The
outcome of a Tier
1 Screening can
be:
- assignment
to the Division
of Operations as
a maintenance work
order;
- request for
disposition by CPSC;
- initiation of Tier
2 Screening;
- assignment
to external agency;
or
- placed on hold
or terminated.
These
outcomes
are decided on by the
CIS Division, and
take into account the
availability of funding.
If termination
occurs, the Problem
Statement is returned to
the files and kept
by the CIS Division for
possible
future reference or
review. It
is the responsibility
of the CIS
Division to record
the outcome of this
process.
- Perform a Tier
2 Screening. 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 Tier 2
Screening can also
be placement in a future
Study and Development
Program, or termination.
- Obtain approval
to advance. Once
DPM prepares a
recommendation,
the CIS 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
Capital Investment
Planning and Development,
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 terminated
or recycled to
the Problem Statement
file, maintained
by the CIS 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
- Tier 1 Screening Documentation
- Tier 2 Screening Report
Phase Closing
The following items must
be completed to leave the
PS Phase:
- Tier 1 Screening
- Initiation of quick fixes under a maintenance work order conducted by the Division of Operations, if applicable
- Tier 2 Screening, if applicable
- CPC Approval to advance
the Tier 2 Screening recommendation
to a proposed project,
to terminate 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 CIS
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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