"Engage stakeholders in alternative identification. This is the most creative part of the project development process, in which sets of solutions are crafted in response to the problem statement and the evaluation criteria. Alternatives are generally developed through the iterative processes and project team input.

"Alternatives [can be] generated [at] various events involving stakeholders such as resource agency or advisory group workshops, and public design charrettes. Ideas generated in this fashion are refined by agency technical staff and disseminated broadly for public review and comment. Discussion with staff from pilot states indicated a preference in many cases from their customers to be involved at the beginning. Project successes were attributed to the DOT 'starting with a blank sheet of paper.'" Furthermore, agency/stakeholder collaboration and consultation in alternative development will likely uncover opportunities for enhancing additional, non-DOT resources. "Engage stakeholders in alternative identification. This is the most creative part of the project development process, in which sets of solutions are crafted in response to the problem statement and the evaluation criteria. Alternatives are generally developed through the iterative processes and project team input.

"Alternatives [can be] generated [at] various events involving stakeholders such as resource agency or advisory group workshops, and public design charrettes. Ideas generated in this fashion are refined by agency technical staff and disseminated broadly for public review and comment. Discussion with staff from pilot states indicated a preference in many cases from their customers to be involved at the beginning. Project successes were attributed to the DOT 'starting with a blank sheet of paper.'" Furthermore, agency/stakeholder collaboration and consultation in alternative development will likely uncover opportunities for enhancing additional, non-DOT resources.