What are the steps to conduct a transportation needs assessment?

1 Define the purpose and scope

The first step is to define the purpose and scope of the transportation needs assessment. This involves clarifying the main questions or problems that the assessment aims to address, the geographic area and time horizon that it covers, and the level of detail and analysis that it requires. You should also identify the key stakeholders and partners that will be involved or affected by the assessment, and establish their roles and responsibilities. Defining the purpose and scope will help you to set the direction and boundaries of the assessment, and to avoid unnecessary or irrelevant data collection and analysis.

2 Review existing conditions and trends

The next step is to review the existing conditions and trends that affect the transportation system and the users in the area or region of interest. This involves collecting and analyzing data on the current and projected population, land use, economy, environment, travel patterns, mode choices, infrastructure, services, policies, and performance of the transportation system. You should also review any relevant plans, studies, or strategies that have been done or are underway in the area or region, and identify any gaps or overlaps. Reviewing existing conditions and trends will help you to understand the baseline situation and the drivers of change, and to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the transportation system.

3 Identify and prioritize needs

The third step is to identify and prioritize the needs of the transportation system and the users in the area or region of interest. This involves engaging with the stakeholders and the community to solicit their input, feedback, and preferences on the transportation issues and opportunities that they face or foresee, and the goals and objectives that they have or want for the transportation system. You should also use various methods and tools, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, workshops, mapping, modeling, scoring, ranking, or multicriteria analysis, to assess and compare the needs from different perspectives and criteria, such as safety, mobility, accessibility, reliability, efficiency, equity, sustainability, or cost-effectiveness. Identifying and prioritizing needs will help you to determine the most critical and urgent problems to solve, and the most desirable and feasible outcomes to achieve.

4 Generate and evaluate alternatives

The fourth step is to generate and evaluate alternatives that can address the identified and prioritized needs of the transportation system and the users in the area or region of interest. This involves brainstorming and screening potential solutions, such as policies, programs, projects, or actions, that can improve the performance, functionality, or quality of the transportation system. You should also use various methods and tools, such as scenarios, simulations, cost-benefit analysis, impact assessment, or sensitivity analysis, to assess and compare the alternatives from different perspectives and criteria, such as effectiveness, efficiency, feasibility, acceptability, or compatibility. Generating and evaluating alternatives will help you to explore the range of possible solutions, and to select the most suitable and optimal ones.

5 Develop and communicate recommendations

The fifth step is to develop and communicate recommendations that can guide the implementation of the selected alternatives for the transportation system and the users in the area or region of interest. This involves synthesizing and summarizing the findings and results of the previous steps, and formulating clear and concise recommendations that address the purpose and scope of the transportation needs assessment. You should also use various methods and tools, such as reports, presentations, maps, charts, tables, or visuals, to communicate the recommendations to the stakeholders and the community, and to explain the rationale, benefits, costs, risks, and trade-offs of the recommendations. Developing and communicating recommendations will help you to provide actionable and transparent information, and to gain support and buy-in for the recommendations.

6 Monitor and update the assessment

The sixth and final step is to monitor and update the assessment as the transportation system and the users in the area or region of interest evolve and change over time. This involves collecting and analyzing data on the implementation and performance of the recommendations, and evaluating their impacts and outcomes on the transportation system and the users. You should also solicit and incorporate feedback from the stakeholders and the community on the satisfaction and effectiveness of the recommendations, and identify any new or emerging needs or issues that may arise. Monitoring and updating the assessment will help you to track and measure the progress and results of the recommendations, and to adjust and improve them as needed.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?