First phase of project construction, defines scope and project design.

Early phases of technical studies undertaken to determine all relevant aspects of transportation location, to identify feasible route alternatives or design options, and to assess various cost and benefit parameters before advancing the project into more detailed final design development.

That portion of the development of a project during which the basic planning objectives are translated into specific, well defined criteria that can permit the final design process to begin. Alternatives are developed and evaluated at this stage.