Major Investment Study / Draft Environmental Impact Statement
2. Development and Evaluation of Alternatives
2.2 Stage I Evaluation and Methodology
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2.2 STAGE I EVALUATION AND METHODOLOGY
The purpose of the Stage I evaluation was to reduce
the Long List by eliminating alternatives that were not viable because
they did not meet obvious requirements necessary for successful implementation
within the study corridor. This phase is generally referred to as the "fatal
flaw" analysis.
In the "fatal flaw" analysis each of the alternatives
from the Long List was evaluated by the Project Team against its overall
performance in the following areas:
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The alternative must advance the goals and objectives
of the study as presented in the Purpose and Needs Statement. An alternative
is considered fatally flawed if it fails to:
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Improve transportation service in the Schuylkill Valley
Corridor,
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Focus economic growth in the urbanized communities
located along the Schuylkill Valley Corridor,
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Preserve the quality of the environment along the Schuylkill
Valley Corridor, and/or
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Invest and to deploy resources efficiently and cost-effectively.
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The alternative must be technically feasible. An
alternative is considered fatally flawed if it:
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Requires technology that is not available presently
nor in the foreseeable future,
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Requires taking large amounts of brand new right-of-way
for the project, and/or
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Cannot be reasonably implemented from an engineering
or construction perspective, for example, because a grade is too steep
or a curve is too sharp for a particular mode.
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The alternative must be operationally feasible.
An alternative is considered fatally flawed if it:
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Significantly decreases existing capacity on the transportation
system,
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Significantly increases traffic congestion, and/or
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Adversely affects existing transit services due to
longer running times or less reliable service.
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The alternative must be environmentally acceptable.
An alternative is considered fatally flawed if it:
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Significantly decreases air quality after implementation,
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Presents serious regulatory challenges involving either
Federal/State/Local requirements or environmental permit issues, and/or
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Excessively or permanently disrupts local communities
within the corridor.
The results of the elimination process for Stage I
evaluation are summarized in Table 2.2-1.
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