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TIP – Development Process: Highway
OVERVIEW • INTERACTIVE DATABASE • DEVELOPMENT PROCESS: HIGHWAY
INITIATION AND DEVELOPMENT • EVALUATION PROCESS • AIR QUALITY CONFORMITY
TIP CONTACTS • TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMMING INVENTORY
The MPO develops the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the Boston region with input from all 101 municipalities and the Commonwealth. The process for developing the highway component of the TIP is as follows.

Outreach on Projects and Contacts (December–January)
The TIP development process begins with an annual notification to municipalities. Cities and towns identify new TIP Contacts, new project requests, and update existing project information that the MPO should consider for the upcoming TIP. New projects must first be initiated through the MassDOT-Highway Division in order to be considered for programming in the TIP.
Data Collection (January)
Municipal TIP Contacts and MPO staff coordinate to update each project´s project information form (PIF) through the MPO´s Interactive TIP Database. The PIF provides information on each project´s background, infrastructure condition and needs, development status, and how well it addresses MPO policies.
Evaluation of Projects (February–March)
Once project updates are complete, staff conducts project evaluations, based on the following policies:
  • Maintenance, Modernization and Efficiency
  • Livability and Economic Benefit
  • Mobility
  • Environment and Climate Change
  • Environmental Justice
  • Safety and Security
Each project receives a rating out of 153 possible points. Staff requires a Functional Design Report (FDR) to conduct a complete evaluation, so a project with an incomplete evaluation or no evaluation may be in the conceptual stage of development. The evaluations are listed on the TIP Interactive Database, allowing municipalities and members of the public to view and provide comments on projects´ evaluations. Municipalities can provide feedback to MPO staff through the website. Project readiness, long–range transportation plan implementation, and geographic equity are not incorporated into the rating, but are additional factors that are considered in the evaluation process. For more information see the Evaluation Process.
Summary and Application of Results (March)
Staff use the evaluation ratings and project readiness to prepare a First Tier list of projects that score well and could be made ready for advertising in the TIP´s annual element (first year). The project evaluations also guide in formulating financially constrained scenarios of projects for the four years of the TIP. MPO Staff consider the results of the evaluations, the First Tier List of Projects, and prepare a staff recommendation for the draft TIP. The MPO receives the First Tier List and the Staff Recommendation for consideration in project selection.
Public Review and Endorsement of TIP Document (April–June)
The MPO discusses the Staff inputs in April and votes (also in April) to release a draft TIP for public review and comment. After the comment period ends, the MPO reviews all comments and makes changes to the document as appropriate. Finally, the MPO endorses the TIP at a public meeting.

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