Treatment Selection Guidance

This chapter discusses methods for selecting alternatives and provides information on MUTCD Interpretations, Experimentation, Changes, and Interim Approvals, which provide the best source of new guidance between updates to the MUTCD. Methods to evaluate and select alternatives through engineering study and economic analysis techniques which are presented include the following:

•Updated “Technical Working Group” (TWG) Guidance

•Field Diagnostic Team Review Procedure

•Benefit ‑Cost Analysis

•Resource Allocation Procedure

•FRA GradeDec Software Although procedures are provided for developing benefit ‑cost analyses of alternative treatments, more recent trends place emphasis on risk avoidance and best practices. As a result, benefit ‑ cost studies may only be useful for evaluating alternatives that involve a major investment. In addition, the Rail-Highway Crossing Resource Allocation Procedure is presented and other low- cost solutions are discussed. More involved economic analyses such as Benefit ‑Cost Analysis, Resource Allocation Procedures, and use of GradeDec may be more appropriate approaches to utilize when looking at multi-crossing scenarios, such as rail corridors or statewide efforts, or when considering trade- offs between at-grade improvements vs. closures and grade separations. The Technical Working Group TWG guidance, which relies upon readily available planning data, can provide a good initial approach. Confirmation of treatments should include a field review using the Diagnostic Team Review procedure.