Project Operations Evaluation
The Operations Evaluation aims to ensure a consistent and inter-disciplinary approach between Maintenance, Access, Regions, Operations, and Safety to identify operational elements are conscientiously considered early in the project lifecycle. This will help provide the ability to implement new or additional operational measures. It gives increased cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing between involved parties. Additionally, it creates enhanced opportunities to provide safety improvements, accountability to stakeholders, increased ability to document and reference lessons learned, and streamlined business processes while providing increased system reliability.
Beginning January 1, 2016, all projects with a Design Scoping Review on or after February 1, 2016 required a Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSM&O) Evaluation. A new name, Operations Evaluation, was issued when the Operations Evaluation (Ops Eval) Web Tool went live on January 21st, 2021.
All projects require an Operations Evaluation Request that can be automatically generated through the PMWeb Project record available to all project managers as of October 23, 2023.
All individual, linked, and on-system local agency projects should have an Operations Evaluation Request to ensure that all projects are tracked regardless of CDOT or consultant assignment of analyses. Updating the Operations Evaluation Project Record in PMWeb will link all active Operations Evaluations in the Ops Eval Web Tool and allow recommendations to be sent directly to PMWeb for concurrence.
Region Traffic Engineers should coordinate with HQ Traffic on possible exemptions.
Section 4.12 has been revised in the Project Development Manual to explain the operation evaluation requirements and individual responsibilities. In addition, section 2.07.03.02 has been revised to reflect the revised Operations Evaluation process.
Operations Evaluation Process Flowchart (update coming July 2024)
Operations and Safety Evaluation Question Guide (update coming July 2024)
Evaluation Tools
Operations Evaluations Tools have been developed through a collaboration with Headquarters and Region Traffic teams to help project teams get to the right solutions.
Colorado Intersection Control Assessment Tool (ICAT)
CDOT worked with the Georgia Department of Transportation to utilize their ICE tool as a foundation for intersection analysis in Colorado. CDOT added in requirements and functionality based on the needs of its region traffic teams.
CDOT’s Intersection Control Analysis Tool (ICAT) quantitatively evaluates several intersection control scenarios (alternatives) and ranks these alternatives based on their operational and safety performance. Implementing a performance-based procedure such as ICAT creates a transparent and consistent approach to consider intersection alternatives based on metrics such as safety, operations, cost, and social, environmental, and economic impacts.
The ICAT 1.0 is ready for use and is available below. Training guides and videos are available via CDOT’s internal Learning Lane. Comments and feedback for improvement can be sent to Benjamin Acimovic.
DOT’s Intersection Control Analysis Tool (ICAT) quantitatively evaluates several intersection control scenarios (alternatives) and ranks these alternatives based on their operational and safety performance. Implementing a performance-based procedure such as ICAT creates a transparent and consistent approach to consider intersection alternatives based on metrics such as safety, operations, cost, and social, environmental, and economic impacts.
ICAT Resources
Operation Level of Service (OLOS)
The Operations Level of Service (OLOS) is a new performance measure developed by CDOT to evaluate the performance of a facility, relative to the performance of similar facilities across the state. This new method reflects how the roadway segment is performing in regard to its expected operation for travel times. Six Use Cases are ready for use for CDOT Project and Traffic Engineers. Comments and feedback for improvement can be sent to Benjamin Acimovic.
