Resources

SMART SCALE Round 6 Technical Guide

The SMART SCALE Technical Guide is the official guidance document for administering the SMART SCALE program. The Guide is updated each round to reflect any changes in law, policy, or rules that affect the program. If you have any questions about SMART SCALE, be sure to check the Technical Guide for more information.

Verify VTrans Needs

Virginia's Transportation Plan (VTrans) identifies critical safety, capacity, and access needs across the Commonwealth. All SMART SCALE applications must meet one or more VTrans Mid-term Needs, which can be accessed using the Interact VTrans application. For Round 7 (FY 2028) the 2023 and 2025 VTrans Mid-Term Needs are eligible for applications.

Pathways 4 Planning

Pathways 4 Planning (P4P) is an interactive GIS application for mapping and analysis with transportation data statewide. The data can be used to identify potential SMART SCALE applications, estimate application performance, and track recommendations across multiple studies. P4P is available for free after creating an account and includes training and best practices resources.

STARS and Pipeline Studies

The STARS program was created by VDOT to find comprehensive, multimodal solutions to congestion and safety issues across the state. STARS studies can include intersections, corridors, interchanges, and conceptual design. STARS studies are typically completed each year.

The Pipeline program was created by OIPI to study the Commonwealth Transportation Board's VTrans needs in Priority 1 and 2 locations. Pipeline studies bring all project stakeholders together to avoid common roadblocks and get input from local, state, and federal actors.

Performance-Based Planning Guidance

SMART SCALE is designed to select projects based on expected future benefits, a process called performance-based planning. The presentations provided here were created by the SMART SCALE team as resources for using performance-based planning strategies to develop applications and estimate app performance.

Readiness Resources

Applications must meet certain readiness requirements before they can be submitted for scoring. These resources provide examples and summaries for quick reference and are intended to augment the information provided in the SMART Portal and Technical Guide.

Standard SMART SCALE Forms

The SMART SCALE team has created several standardized forms for use in meeting readiness requirements.

• SS01: Use this form to provide traffic volume information if the proposed project is not on a VDOT-maintained facility. This form can also be used to convey required volume information in a convenient format.
• SS02: Use this form to fulfill the readiness requirements for an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing.
• SS03: Use this form to provide environmental review information for a transit project.
• SS04: Use this form to provide a summary of a proposed Design Waiver/Design Exception. 

Cost Estimate Resources

Cost estimates are a critical part of the SMART SCALE benefit-cost analysis. To ensure statewide consistency, all applicants must use the VDOT Cost Estimating Manual and perform estimates as if the project will be VDOT-administered. VDOT has provided additional estimating guidance including a best practices one-pager and a memo regarding inflation escalation. For detailed information, see the VDOT Cost Estimating Manual.

Right of Way Guidance

The VDOT Right of Way (ROW) office has provided guidance on how to treat right-of-way acquisition in SMART SCALE cost estimates. The one-pager includes a sample ROW document with calculations. For more information, visit the VDOT Right of Way Cost Estimate Guide.

SMART Portal User Guide

The User Guide is a complete walkthrough for building a pre-application in the SMART Portal, from accessing the Portal through confirming Readiness Gates. Much of the guidance in this guide can also be applied to the full application process.

Pre-Scoping Module

The Pre-Scoping Module is a resource to assist with project application development prior to creating an application within any SMART Portal funding program. Applicants can build apps in the module to include features, descriptions, and other project details before importing them into a SMART SCALE pre-application.

Pre-Application Training - Round 6

The SMART SCALE team provides pre-application training each round. These trainings are open to all applicants and are recorded for later reference.

Full Application Training - Round 6

The SMART SCALE team provides full application training each round. These trainings are open to all applicants and are recorded for later reference.

Safety Scoring

The Safety scoring measure analyzes the past 5 years of crashes. Use the Virginia Roads application or the VDOT Crash Analysis tool to review crashes in the project area. The list of Crash Modification Factors used in Safety scoring is provided along with a calculator tool to estimate project benefits.

Congestion Scoring

The methodology for estimating new pedestrian users in the Congestion factor is based on a Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC) study provided here.

Economic Development Scoring

The methodology for the ED.1: Project Support for Economic Development scoring measure is developed and applied by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). A summary of the Historical Projects Model used to calculate the ED.1 measure is provided here.

Project Change

When project scope and budget changes occur in a funded SMART SCALE application, the projects are subject to the Project Change process. The Project Change Guide outlines the policies and procedures regarding project changes and applies to all SMART SCALE projects regardless of project administration.