A brief explanation of the PD&E Study process is provided below. The PD&E process was developed to ensure that transportation projects are developed with consideration of current engineering standards, project costs and minimization of social and environmental impacts, while involving the public throughout the entire study process. The basic activities of a PD&E study include:

Data Collection
The first major work effort is the collection of all available data pertaining to the study corridor including existing roadway characteristics, traffic counts, existing and future land uses, drainage patterns, locations of wetlands and habitat for threatened or endangered species, potential contamination sites, etc.

Alternatives Development and Analysis
Once the data collection is complete and the needs of the corridor have been determined, various improvement alternatives will be developed. For a trail project, these alternatives include the alignments, street crossings, trail heads and trail amenities. The environmental impacts, social impacts and costs of these alternatives will be quantified and summarized in a comparative matrix.

Public Information Workshops
To ensure the public is well informed, two public information workshops were scheduled for the project. Because of the large project area, three meeting locations were provided for each workshop. The same information was presented at each meeting location. With input received at the workshops, the project team finalized the preferred alternative(s).

Final Acceptance
After the comments from the public workshop have been addressed, the project reports are finalized and submitted to Volusia County, Brevard County, and FDOT for location and design concept acceptance. Once this acceptance is received, the study phase of the project will be complete. The phases that would follow the study phase include the design of the approved improvements, possible right-of-way acquisition and construction of the improvements.