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DRAFT 2010-2013 STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM <br />Project Eligibility Criteria and Prioritization Factors <br />Process Description and Guidance <br />for the 2010-2013 Development STIP and Construction STIP <br />I. Introduction <br />The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) approved the Project Eligibility Criteria and Pri- <br />oritization Factors to assist Area Commissions on Transportation (ACTS), Metropolitan Planning <br />Organizations (MPOs), or regional or statewide advisory groups advising the OTC on the selec- <br />tion of Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) projects. The document gives <br />basic definitions and funding information and provides guidance pertaining to roles and respon- <br />sibilities, project selection and documentation. More information about the ACT process, advi- <br />sory committees, Oregon transportation management systems, other STIP programs and funding <br />is available on the Internet (see page 233). <br />The OTC establishes program goals, funding levels and regional funding distribution at the start <br />of each two-year STIP update. Those policy decisions are made separate from these eligibility <br />criteria and prioritization factors and are not part of this document. (See page 11 for the deci- <br />sion-making process.) <br />The OTC's decisions reflect the goals and priorities adopted in the Oregon Transportation Plan <br />(OTP). The OTP sets forth policies that guide decisions and actions of the agency, including <br />project and program funding decisions. The OTC's goals are: <br />1. Mobility and Accessibility <br />2. Management of the system <br />3. Economic Vitality <br />4. Sustainability <br />5. Safety and Security <br />6. Funding the Transportation System <br />7. Coordination, Communication, and Cooperation <br />These goals recognize the importance of providing an efficient, optimized, safe, secure, and <br />well-integrated multimodal transportation system that allows for access and connectivity <br />throughout the state to enable a diverse economy while not compromising the ability of future <br />generations to meet their needs. These goals are implemented through the Oregon Highway Plan <br />(OHP) and the other modal plans. This document sets forth criteria in compliance with the OHP <br />to be utilized in the selection and prioritization of transportation projects for the D-STIP, and the <br />C-STIP modernization, preservation, and bridge programs. <br />A. Roles and Responsibilities <br />The OTC will make the final selections for all projects included in the STIP. The Commission <br />will consider the advice and recommendations received from ACTS, MPOs, and regional or <br />statewide advisory groups. ODOT will provide tools necessary to enable an ACT to carry out its <br />responsibilities under these criteria. Geographic areas that do not have an ACT must adhere to <br />Page 204 <br />