What is the Tool

Based on the work done thus far, IDOT has developed a process which will select projects based on five goal areas and eleven selection criteria. These proposed goals and criteria will help IDOT make investment decisions on capacity projects in a transparent and equitable manner.

Goal: Traffic Operations/ Congestion

• Criteria: Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) 

  A measure of change of the mean traffic volume across all days for a year for a given location along a road.

• Criteria: Change in Annual Vehicle Miles Traveled (AVMT) 

  A measure of the amount of vehicular travel in a geographic region over a given period of time.

• Criteria: Travel Time Index 

  The ratio of the travel time during the peak period to the time required to make the same trip at free-flow speeds.

Goal: Safety

• Criteria: Crash Frequency 

  A measure of the number of crashes occurring within a specific jurisdiction, on a roadway segment, or at an intersection.

Goal: Economic Development

• Criteria: National Highway Freight Network 

  Is the project on the National Highway Freight Network as defined by the Federal Highway Administration and the FAST Act?

• Criteria: Major Development 

  Does the project support access to a major development?

• Criteria: Intermodal Accessibility 

  Is there an intermodal facility within 3-miles of the project?

Goal: Environmental Impacts/ Livability

• Criteria: Environmental Justice 

  Consideration of whether the project is located in an area identified as minority population, low income, or both based on the measures identified by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

• Criteria: Level of Environmental Impact Analysis Required 

  How much will this project potentially affect the environment?

  • Categorical Exclusion (CE)
  • Environmental Assessment (EA)/Finding of No Significant Impacts (FONSI)
  • Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
• Criteria: Resiliency 

  Will this project enhance the safety of travelers by better withstanding natural disasters, such as flooding.

Goal: Regional Rating

• Criteria: Subjective portion allowing local and regional input, to consider factors which may not be shown in the data
  • Allows for input from IDOT district staff on projects
  • IDOT district staff work directly with local municipalities, counties and Metropolitan Planning Organizations.

Goal: Coming soon

• Criteria: Equity 

  How much will this project impact equity?

  • Access to transit
  • Housing and transportation cost index
  • Emissions
  • Other
• Criteria: Emissions 

  Will this project help reduce vehicle emissions and improve overall air quality?

For a comprehensive explanation of the tool, methodology, and calculations, the Department has developed a Methodology Document.