Design Exceptions 101 Ed Fischer, State Traffic-Roadway Engineer Mike Morrow, FHWA Field Operations Engineer Kent R. Belleque, Senior Interchange Engineer

Items to Cover Today Design Exception Background Key Items in Design Exceptions –Timelines –Evaluation Criteria –Justification –Helpful Tools Planning Level Design Exceptions Case Studies (Helpful Hints) Expectations from Ed and Mike Q & A

Chief Engineer’s Role Authority for Design Standards Outlined in Title 23 CFR 625 Oregon Highway Design Manual (HDM) Approval of Exceptions to Standards Delegated to State Roadway Engineer Contact with FHWA on Process

Expectations from ODOT Provide Enough Information that Convinces the Reviewer to Approve not Achieving the Standard Can we get to Yes?

When Should the Process Begin? Start Discussion ASAP with ODOT Allow Sufficient Time for Review May also Require Approval by FHWA Insufficient Data will Require More Time

What Should be Included? General Discussion on the Design Exception Evaluation of the Exception Justification Review and Approval (Tech Center and FHWA Level)

Areas of Special Note Vertical Clearance and Motor Carrier Contact

Areas of Special Note 3R- Roadside Design- Region

Areas of Special Note Form has been updated –Top 10% SPIS –Interchange Spacing

Other Available Tools Highway Safety Analysis Tools – ROADWAY/highway_safety.shtmlhttp:// ROADWAY/highway_safety.shtml –Crash Data –SPIS/SIP –Crash Reduction Factors

Flexibility in Design-FHWA Design Exceptions –Consideration of Safety and Operations –Consideration of Crash History and Roadway Character –Cost to Attain Full Standard and Impact on Environmental Features –Degree of Reduction Impact on other Standards Mitigation

Flexibility in Design-AASHTO Similar to FHWA Guidance –Proper Justification –Crash analysis, Rationale for Exception Stresses Importance of Documentation

Flexibility in Design- 1R and SF TRB Special Report R Practices 1R and Single Function Impact on Design Exceptions?????

Design Exceptions on a National Level Dealing with Same Issues as ODOT –Why are Design Exceptions Done? 42%- Reduces Liability 40%- Design Exception Documentation Number of Exceptions Varies

NCHRP Synthesis 316 Type of Exceptions Similar

Planning Design Exceptions Planning Studies Need to Follow Design Standards –Design Elements Need to Meet Standard or Get an Exception –If Elements are Unknown, don't Show Specific Dimensions Timing of Planning Design Exceptions –Construction in 5 years-Process the Exception Before Putting in Planning Document –Construction in 5-10 years-Submit Draft Design Exception and Obtain Written Indication of Approval/Denial

Non-Design Exceptions Issues PLA01-Review Process for Design Concepts on ORS Routes –Vehicle Carrying Capacity and Lane Reductions

Tech Services- To Do List Design Speed Horizontal and Vertical Angle Points 3R- Criteria A & B Others??

Real Life Examples: Case 1 Specifically it is requested that the following design features not be further evaluated: horizontal alignment, vertical alignment, grades, lane width, shoulder width, bridge width and the correction of deficient bridge rails and missing ADA sidewalk features, roadway cross slopes, cut/fill/ditch slopes, access, and clear zone.

Case 2: Reasons for Not Attaining Standard

The Request: Case 3

Case 3 (Continued)

The Request: Case 4

Items to Remember Look at Crash Data Number and Type of Exceptions Cost by Itself is not a Good Justification Look for Ways to Mitigate –Striping –Signing –Illumination

Items to Remember Identify Design Exceptions ASAP Work with Design Exception Review Team in Salem –Christopher Henson Rural Roadway Engineer –Rich Crossler-Laird Urban Roadway Engineer –Kent Belleque Interchange Engineer –Dan MacDonald Roadside Safety Engineer –Dave Polly Standards Engineer –And Others Allow Sufficient Time for Processing

Web Page Links Design Exceptions – design_exceptions.shtmlhttp://egov.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/ENGSERVICES/ design_exceptions.shtml –Request Form Instructions –Required Signatures Technical Bulletins – tech_bulletin.shtml

Comments from ODOT and FHWA Ed Fischer and Mike Morrow Q and A