Introduction

Project Submission Definitions

Pipeline Submission Requirements

Text Submission Guidelines

Project Description

Public/Community Involvement

Environmental Documentation

Design Criteria

Design Standards

Design Elements

Plan Submission Guidelines

Preliminary Roadway

Preliminary Structures (GP&E)

Preliminary ROW

Preliminary Signing and Signal Plans

Preliminary Staging/ Traffic Control Plans

Preliminary Lighting Design Plan

Preliminary Drainage and SE & SC Design Plan

ITS Facilities Layout Plan (100 Scale)

Access Cut-outs

Preliminary Jurisdictional Limit Maps

Introduction

The purpose of the Preliminary Design Submission (PDS) is to provide the Department with reasonable assurance that the design of the project is proceeding in a reasonable manner and that the designer has considered all areas that can have a major impact on the design of the project. The intent of this document is to serve as a guide to the designer to provide direction when preparing the PDS for the Department’s review and approval. This is not intended to be a checklist of submission requirements, but rather an example of the types of issues the designer needs to consider and address to create a clear understanding of the scope of the project. It is not necessary or desirable for the PDS to include all of the material listed in this document.

The PDS should essentially include all of the information that has been compiled for approval of the Environmental Document as well as any additional engineering work that has been advanced in support of or in conjunction with the Environmental Document. These guidelines list the different types of information that may need to be included in the PDS in order for the Department to adequately understand the unique design parameters and impacts of the project as well as the designer’s proposed solutions to address these conditions. The PDS should include only those items that are necessary to clearly indicate the designer’s intent or have critical impacts on the project’s design.

The content of the PDS is project specific and will vary from project to project depending upon the design issues involved. The designer, the Project Manager and the FHWA Area Engineer shall meet and review the information that the designer has developed in order to obtain approval of the environmental document. This review will determine the final content of the Preliminary Design Submission.

The review and approval of the PDS indicates that the Department and the designer have agreed to the conceptual design. This will allow the designer to proceed with the final design of the project. The next formal submission will be the Final Design Submission; however, it is the designer’s responsibility to maintain an open dialog with the Department throughout the design process. Continuous communication and coordination is essential between the designer, the Project Manager, and all Department Subject Matter Experts. Review, input and approvals will need to be solicited from the Department’s Subject Matter Experts as the design progresses. A list of Subject Matter Experts and their contact information is included in Appendix A of this document.

Project Submission Definitions

Feasibility Assessment Report Submission (FA) – Recommendation on project feasibility by the Division of Project Development and the Project Manager with supporting documentation.

Full Oversight – A project is a full oversight project when it receives any federal funding and requires complete review and approval responsibilities by FHWA.
Interim Submission – A report or a design submittal of a specific activity or activities, or portion of an activity, as defined by the Project Delivery Process Network and the Design Activity Manual. The Interim Submission will not be included in the Preliminary or the Final Design Submission. The Interim Submission will be determined via the Interactive Communication Procedure, and documented within the project’s Design Communications Report.

Preliminary Design Submission (PDS) – Includes the project scope, all engineering and environmental work that has been developed to date for the project, plans, text submission, construction schedule, Engineer’s estimate, the quality checklist and the Design Communications Report.

Final Design Submission (FDS) – Includes all plans, specifications, design calculations, quantities calculations, Engineer’s estimates (construction costs estimate), permits pertaining to the project, construction schedule, the quality checklist and the Design Communications Report.

Designer’s Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (DPS&E) – The DPS&E is when the designer is preparing the contract plans, preparing the final specifications, and final estimate, for submission to the PM preceding the advertising of the project.

Plan, Specifications & Estimate Submission (PS&E) – The last submission of all plans, specifications, design calculations, quantity calculations, and engineer’s estimates, incorporating all comments resulting from review of the Final Design Submission and from interactive
communications.

Quality Checklist – The quality checklist is an electronic file with a list of design items which the designer must check off to indicate if the items are in compliance with current practices and policies. The quality checklist is one component of quality management and is used to assure that the quality functions are integrated into the Design Process. Justification must be given for all items not in compliance with current practices and policies. The checklist is a mandatory requirement of the Preliminary and Final Design Submissions.

Design Communications Report (DCR) – The Design Communications Report (DCR) is a
collection of all communication and agreements / resolutions of design elements made during Interactive Communications for a particular project. The DCR is a mandatory requirement of the Preliminary Design, Final Design and Pre-PS&E Submissions.

Text Submission – A part of the preliminary design submission, that consists primarily of text. The text submission explains how conclusions were reached.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) – An EIS is an environmental document that is needed if there will be significant environmental impact resulting from the construction of a project.

Categorical Exclusion (CE) – A CE is an environmental document that is needed if there will be only minor or no environmental impact from a project.
Environmental Assessment (EA) – An EA is frequently done to determine if an EIS or CE document should be prepared.

Design Standards

1. A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets
2. Highway Definitions
3. Roadside Design Guide
4. A Policy on Design Standards – Interstate Systems
5. A Policy on U-Turn Median Openings on Freeways
6. AASHTO Guide for the Design of Pavement Structures
7. AASHTO – An Informational Guide for Roadway Lighting
8. AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications
9. AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges
10. AASHTO Standard Specifications for Moveable Highway Bridges
11. AASHTO Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaries and Traffic Signals
12. AASHTO Manual on Foundation Investigations
13. AASHTO/AWS Bridge Welding Code
14. AASHTO Guide Specifications for Horizontally Curved Highway Bridges
15. AASHTO Guide Specifications for Fracture Critical Non-redundant Steel Bridge Members

1. All required Baseline Document Changes, Corrective Action Notices and Quality Improvement Advisories
2. Access Design Guidelines
3. Access Management Code, New Jersey State Highway
4. Aerial Photogrammetric Mapping Guidelines
5. Bridges & Structures Design Manual
6. CADD Manual
7. Construction Cost Estimating Guidelines
8. Construction Schedule Manual
9. Context Sensitive Design Policy – Document #2001-13, October 4, 2001
10. Context Sensitive Design Training Manual
11. Design Exception Manual
12. Electrical Material Specifications
13. Maintenance Manual
14. Noise Wall Design Guidelines
15. Pavement Design Manual (AASHTO Companion)
16. Procedures (Capital Project ProceduresManual)
17. ROW Engineering Manual
18. Road User Cost Manual
19. Roadway Design Manual
20. Sample Plans
21. Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Standards
22. Standard Roadway Construction/Traffic Control/ Electrical/Bridge Construction Details
23. Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction
24. Survey Manual
25. Traffic Mitigation Guidelines

1. AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering
2. TRB Highway Capacity Manual
3. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
4. FHWA Roadway Lighting Handbook
5. ITE Handbook
6. Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Lighting Handbook
7. NFPA National Electric Code (NEC)
8. National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
9. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
10. Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
11. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
12. FHWA Federal-Aid Policy Guide (FAPG)
13. Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 19, Hydrology
14. Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 12, Drainage of Highway Pavements
15. Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 22, Urban Drainage Design Manual
16. Hydraulic Design Series No. 5, Hydraulic Design of Highway Culverts
17. NJDEP Technical Manual for Stream Encroachment Permits
18. HEC-1, Flood Hydrograph Package
19. HEC-2, Water Surface Profile
20. HEC-RAS, River Analysis System
21. HEC-18 Evaluating Scour at Bridges
22. HEC-20 Stream Stability of Highway Structures
23. HEC-23 Bridge Scour and Stream Instability Countermeasures
24. HY-8, FHWA Culvert Analysis
25. TR-20, Project Formulation, Hydrology
26. TR-55, Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds
27. Hydrain Drainage Analysis
28. American Standard for Nursery Stock, American Association of Nurserymen,Inc.
29. Hortus III

Elements

The PDS consists of a Plan Submission, PDS Text Submission, a PDS Quality Checklist and Designer’s Certification, a Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate, and the Design Communications Report (DCR).

Plan Submissions - The content of the plan submission will vary depending upon the unique aspects of each project. The Project Manager and the Designer shall determine the amount of detail that is required for their project’s PDS. This determination shall be based upon the plans that were developed in order to support the approval of the environmental document for the project, as well as any other plan sheets that have been developed that may clarify the Designer’s intent.

PDS Plan Submissions may include some or all of the following, depending on the amount of detail that is required, as determined by the PM and the Designer.
• Key Sheet
• Preliminary Roadway Plans (Typical Sections, Construction Plans, Profile Sheets, Tie Sheets, Grade Sheets, Cross Section Sheets)
• Preliminary Structural Plans
• Preliminary ROW Plans
• Preliminary Signing and Signal Plans
• Preliminary Staging / Traffic Control Plans
• Preliminary Lighting Plans
• Preliminary Drainage and Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plans
• ITS Facilities Layout Plan
• Preliminary Access Cut – Outs
• Preliminary Jurisdictional Limit Plans
2. A completed PDS Quality Checklist and the Designer Certification shall be included.
3. A current copy of the Design Communications Report (DCR) documenting all interactive communications, agreements, and resolutions in the Preliminary Design stage shall be included in the PDS Submission.
4. A Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate using AASHTO TRNS*PORT CES in accordance with Construction Cost Estimating Guidelines shall be included.
5. A PDS Text Submission shall be included.
PDS Text Submission Requirements

Text Submission

Project Description
The Designer shall provide a detailed project description. It documents the following:
• Scope Statement
• Purpose and Need / Feasibility Assessment / Environmental Documentation
• Project Deliverables
• Preliminary Project Schedule and Milestones, for construction
• Preliminary Project Budget, for construction
• A list of design standards used

Public/Community Involvement
The designer should list all known stakeholders and report how they were engaged as well as list all known and anticipated public/community impacts and commitments in both the temporary construction and final constructed configuration of the project. The designer should discuss his approach in addressing all public/ community impacts and opportunities associated with the project.

Environmental Documentation

EIS & EA Projects
The designer shall provide a summary of the EIS or EA document including the Project Need and Project Description.

CE Projects
The designer shall insert the approved CE Environmental Document without attachments.

Environmental Impacts & Commitments
The designer should address all known and anticipated environmental impacts and commitments in both the temporary construction and final constructed configuration of the project. The designer should discuss his approach in addressing all environmental impacts of the project.

Design Criteria

The designer shall list the applicable design criteria for the specific project. An example of typical information is listed below:

Construction Specifications
Standard ____________ years
Standard Input ____________
Metric _______ English_________

Design Elements

Geometrics
The designer should describe all geometric design issues for the project that are not addressed by the plan submission. Any outstanding or anticipated issues or impacts should be listed and the designer should clearly define the approach to addressing these items.

Pavement Design
The designer should discuss the pavement design considerations for the project. These considerations should be listed by roadway section and consider life cycle cost analysis. The designer shall identify all design issues and describe the approach in addressing these issues in the design phase of the project.

Pavement Design Considerations may include:

1. General description of existing pavement conditions, including Pavement Management Systems Data, core results and Falling Weight Deflectometer analysis.
2. Rehabilitation schemes vs. reconstruction.
3. Life cycle cost analysis including user delay costs.
4. The pavement recommendation should address, but not be limited to the following items if applicable:
   1. Pavement performance
   2. Traffic
   3. Roadbed soil
   4. Materials of construction
   5. Environment
   6. Drainage
   7. Reliability
   8. Potential maintenance issues
   9. Constructibility issues including construction staging
   10. Impact of the general concept of traffic control plans
   11. Special details and materials specifications

Structural Design
The designer shall discuss the structural and geotechnical recommendations developed to date for the project. These recommendations should be listed by structure and include both the structural and geotechnical elements for each structure. The designer shall identify all design issues and describe the approach in addressing these issues in the design phase of the project.

Below is a partial list of items a designer may need to address in this section.

Structural Design Recommendations may include:

1. General description of proposed bridge sites and existing bridge conditions, including a summary of the Deck Evaluation Survey Report.
2. Rehabilitation schemes vs. replacements.
3. Potential for future widening.
4. A structural recommendation may address depending on how far the design has progressed::
   1. Optimization of materials, beam spacing and span arrangements, considering both traffic control and stage construction of current and future deck replacement and/or widening.
   2. Special requirements for corrosive environments; such as construction in marine environments
   3. Type of efficient expansion deck joint system.
   4. Need for use of a high load multi-rotational bearing system.
   5. Treatment of ground and overhead utilities, if required.
   6. Special construction methods when adjacent buildings and/or structures may be impacted.
   7. Aesthetic treatment.
   8. Potential maintenance issues caused by construction method
   9. Constructibility issues
   10. Construction Staging
   11. False work usage must address temporary vertical clearance, temporary opening width, temporary support system.
   12. Precast unit vs. cast-in-place element usage.
   13. Impact of the general concept of traffic control plans on the bridge construction.
   14. Special details
   15. Design Exception for a substandard condition that meets functional requirements.
   16. Seismic Considerations
   17. Waterway Opening
   18. Scour Considerations
   19. Use of high performance materials; such as high performance steel or high performance concrete
   20. Use of weathering steel
   21. Unique concepts; such as integral abutments
   22. Bridge security assessment
   23. Substructure sheeting, including abutment and pier types

The following activities may be required for development of the Preliminary Engineering Structural Design submission:

1. Structure location and type.
2. Horizontal and vertical roadway geometry
3. Completed subsurface exploration program
4. Completed laboratory and on-site testing
5. Seismic analysis for new/reconstructed structures and seismic retrofit analysis for existing structures
6. Hydraulic and scour analysis

Geotechnical Design

1. General description of the geological conditions of the project site.
2. Summary of all subsurface exploration data accumulated to date, including finalized boring logs, boring location plan sheets, subsurface soil profiles, laboratory or in-situ test results, presence of acid producing soils and groundwater information. Soil profiles should include existing water table and the standard penetration blow counts.
3. Interpretation and analysis of the subsurface data, including laboratory and in-situ testing, and a determination of the design soil engineering properties, including unit weight, shear strength, compressive strength and compressibility.
4. The geotechnical recommendations may address the following depending on the design’s progress:
   1. Comparison of  feasible foundation types, including constructibility.
   2. Discussion of possible retaining structure types, including constructibility.
   3. Settlement (i.e. amount and rate of settlement) and methods of remediation/ construction under consideration.
   4. Stability and methods of stabilization under consideration.
   5. Proposed methods of dewatering, where necessary.
   6. Estimated depth of scour.
   7. Seismic concerns for foundations in accordance with the appropriate current AASHTO specifications for the design of highway bridges.
   8. The need for temporary and/or permanent sheeting or cofferdams.
   9. Pertinent information concerning existing substructures when alterations are proposed.
   10. Special methods of construction when adjacent structures may be impacted by the proposed construction.
   11. A compilation of preliminary data significant to the stability of rock cut slopes, including mapping of rock exposures, geophysical surveys, core drilling observations and identifications, field and laboratory tests, and existing data, such as publications, maps, aerial photos and other previous work.  
   12. Discussions on blasting and excavation considerations, and potential rockfall remediation and stabilization methods.

Survey Parameters
The designer should include a narrative summary of the survey report without tables and attachments. In addition, the designer should address all other known or anticipated survey issues. The following is a partial list of issues that may need to be addressed.

1. Additional survey required due to change conditions
2. Field verification issues
3. Planned work within the limits of the project that will be done prior to award or during construction.
4. Sufficient Control points supplied to the designer by a previous designer
5. Construction layout
6. Verification of data
7. Wetland and woodland delineation

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Depending on the project scope and complexity, it may be necessary to define and/or develop the ITS requirements.The designer should describe the ITS needs for the project, including locations of each ITS device, and the proposed methods of operation and integration of each device and system. The designer should identify and describe all ITS design issues for the project. All outstanding or anticipated design/ operational issues or impacts should be listed and the designer shall clearly define the approach to addressing these items in design. All design work related to the ITS needs that is required to be performed under other activities (i.e., Traffic Signal & Safety Engineering, Utility & Railroad Engineering, Survey, ROW Engineering, Structural Design, etc.) should be identified and addressed under the appropriate activities.

The major tasks to be performed by the designer include:

1. Identify the ITS needs of the project
   1. List stakeholders
   2. Coordination required with stakeholders
   3. Review existing ITS plans and system reports.
   4. Verify/evaluate existing/proposed ITS systems operations.
   5. List ITS needs.
      
2. ITS System Definition Summary.
   
   The summary should be of sufficient detail to describe the ITS needs and define the methods of operation and the level of integration. The summary should contain all information required to proceed with the design.
   
   1. Describe the existing/proposed system operations.
   2. Describe operation of each type of ITS device and system.
   3. Identify/resolve impacts to the existing devices and systems
   4. Describe the operation of the existing/ proposed communications backbone and equipment.
   5. Describe the designer’s approach to the integration of the proposed devices into the existing/proposed systems operation.
   6. Describe designer’s approach to the integration of the proposed devices and systems into the Traffic Operation Center (TOC) operations.
   7. Described the modifications/upgrade of existing devices and systems (including remote hubs & the TOC).
   8. Prepare a system(s) block diagram of the proposed final systems operation.
   9. Include minutes of all meetings with stakeholders documenting their concurrence to the proposed systems and their operation.

1. Signals
   The designer should describe all issues relating to the installation of permanent and temporary traffic signals. The designer should define all reasons for selecting the locations to be signalized. The designer should describe any special considerations such as emergency preemption systems for railroad grade crossing and emergency vehicle systems.  Below is a partial list of items to be addressed.
   1. Traffic signal warrant analysis
   2. Signal spacing
   3. Queuing and weaving analysis
   4. Pedestrian needs
   5. Signal timings and signal coordination
   6. Time Space Diagram
   7. Accident analysis and diagrams – Last 3 years


2. Signing
   The designer should identify the signing needs for the project including overhead signs, sign structures and any special signing that will be required.


3. Striping
   The designer should identify the striping and pavement marking needs for the project. If overhead signs are to be used on the project, a striping plan shall be prepared and used to identify lane sensitive signing and overhead sign structure locations.


4. Traffic Control / Staging
   The designer should provide an analysis of construction related traffic impacts and mitigation. See also section P “Constructibility” of this document. Findings should be presented in a detailed Traffic Impact Report as per the NJDOT Design Manual if required by NJDOT Traffic Operations. The designer shall submit a copy of the report to the Traffic Signal and Safety Engineering Unit and to Traffic Operations for review.


5. Permanent Safety Devices
   The designer should determine the need for beam guide rail, median barrier, crash cushions, raised pavement markers, rumble strips, delineators, fencing along control of access freeways, and any other safety device that may be required.


6. Electrical Engineering Design – Highway Lighting Systems and Ornamental Lighting Systems
   The designer should determine and demonstrate the need for highway lighting and the illumination of overhead sign structures by following the New Jersey Department of Transportation Design Manual – Roadway Section II. The designer shall design temporary lighting in accordance with the NJDOT Design Manual.
   In addition, the designer shall be responsible for the electrical design of traffic signals including, but not limited to, conduit, foundations, wiring, block-wiring diagrams, loop detector locations, loop detectors schedule and load center.  All signalized intersections are to be illuminated.

Landscape and Urban Design
The designer should discuss proposed Landscape and Context Sensitive Design enhancements for the project. Below is a partial list of items that may need to be addressed.

1. Context Sensitive Design and community input
2. Unique architectural, historical and environmental features
3. Streetscape improvements
4. Vegetation preservation requirements
5. Landscape planting requirements
6. Safety issues including sight distance, clear zone and headlight glare plantings
7. Reforestation requirements including a reforestation plan (over 1/2 acre)
8. Aesthetic Treatments including overall project aesthetics and visual continuity and structural aesthetics including bridges, retaining walls and noise barriers.
9. Wetland mitigation requirements
10. Wildflower planting requirements
11. Soil erosion and sediment control certifications and requirements
12. Maintenance issues including accessibility for mowing and litter pickup, proper signage for wildflower beds, extended warranties on plantings and thicker non-vegetative surfaces.

Additionally, based on input from the NJDOT Landscape and Urban Design Unit and the NJDOT project manager, the designer should include a recommendation as to whether the landscape architecture work will be performed by the NJDOT Landscape and Urban Design Unit or a landscape architectural design consultant.

Access Design
The designer should review all existing driveways within the project limits to determine if they are in conformance with the applicable requirements of the Access Code. The designer will provide a recommendation for each non-conforming driveway as to whether the Department should consider granting a waiver with supporting documentation or propose an adjustment, modification or revocation of access.

Hydrology & Hydraulics
The designer should discuss the drainage plan to collect stormwater runoff from the roadway surface, right of way, and tributary off-site areas, convey it along and through the right of way and discharge it to an adequate receiving area without causing adverse on- or off-site impacts. The design must strive to maintain compatibility and minimize interference with existing drainage patterns, control flooding of the roadway surface for design flood events, and minimize environmental impacts from highway related stormwater runoff.  Consideration should also be given to avoid deep cuts and utilities whenever possible. Examples of items/issues that may need to be addressed are listed below:

1. Flood design recurrence interval
2. Evaluation of existing system and part to remain including video verification of condition of all existing drainage pipes
3. Proposed pipe material
4. Design measures for control of storm water to enhance water quality
5. Selection of water retention detention basin locations
6. Outfall protection
7. ROW/easement needs for outfall, conveyance and basins
8. Utility conflicts
9. Stream Encroachment permit

Design Exceptions
The designer shall list and describe the proposed design exceptions for the project. This shall include a discussion of all substandard elements being improved to meet design standards by this project. The designer shall also discuss and provide solid, logical reasoning for not improving substandard elements in this project. Included in this discussion must be an accident analysis and diagrams and any proposed mitigative measures for any remaining substandard elements included in this project.
The design exceptions must be submitted for approval at the time of the PDS submission.
For projects with full FHWA oversight, design exceptions must be approved by FHWA.

Maintainability
The designer should describe all of the known or anticipated maintenance issues for the project as well as his approach to addressing each of these items including:

1. Long term maintenance costs and responsibilities. Where possible, assign maintenance of special features to municipalities or other agencies.
2. Accessibility to replacement items for special features through extra inventory or detailed information on suppliers and part numbers.

Utility and Railroad Engineering
The NJDOT Procedures Manual Section 10 Utilities describes the Utility Process, which is to be followed for Utility and Railroad design.

The designer should ensure that the following Utility and Railroad related milestones have been addressed. In addition, any outstanding utility issues on the project should be described along with the designer’s approach to addressing each.

1. Engineering dialog is established with each Utility and Railroad Owner affected by the Project
2. Existing Utilities are shown on the Project Base Plan.
3. Utility Agreement Base Plans have been developed for each Utility and/or Railroad.
4. Identify potential utility conflicts with proposed highway facilities
5. Unavoidable Utility Conflicts are listed on the Utility Owner Design Authorization (checklist) for each Owner
6. Utility Conflicts are indicated on Utility Base Plans for each Utility
7. Conceptual Schemes of Accommodation for each Utility are developed
8. Utility Right of Way issues are satisfied.
9. Utility Accommodations are included in the Project Permits
10. When the project includes a Railroad the Railroad has approved the impact on its facilities.

Right-Of-Way Impacts
The designer should discuss all Right of Way issues pertaining to the project particularly those which may invoke a lengthy acquisition or condemnation process. The designer should discuss possible alternatives that could avoid or reduce impact to sensitive parcels as well as opportunities for scenic acquisitions and reforestation.

Jurisdiction
The designer should include the status of Jurisdictional Agreements as well as a description of any outstanding or anticipated Jurisdictional issues along with the designer’s approach in addressing these issues including maintenance of Streetscape Projects, special features and Context Sensitive Design Elements.

Bicycle/Pedestrian Impacts
The designer should describe all bicycle and pedestrian issues, impacts and commitments related to the project and the approach in addressing these items.

Constructibility
The designer should discuss the issues that affect the construction of the project. The designer should identify all constructibility issues expected to be encountered and describe the recommended methods or schemes to address these issues when developing the design of the project.

The following is a partial list of items a designer may need to address in this section:

1. Sufficient work zone for construction, equipment, materials delivery and storage, erection of materials, overhead facilities etc.
2. Needs for temporary structures, sheeting, shielding, cofferdams, lighting, signals, drainage, pedestrian access, guiderail etc.
3. Impacts on emergency and delivery services (fire, police, mail, garbage etc.)
4. Impacts of night or weekend operations
5. Seasonal restraints such as utility relocations, recreational or business usage, water table fluctuations, planting schedules, permit conditions
6. Historical sites, public commitments and context sensitive designs
7. Grade differentials between stages
8. Long lead times for product deliveries and material suppliers availability
9. Demolitions and asbestos investigations/abatements
10. Drivability of foundation items such as piles and sheeting
11. Review for conflicts and coordinate with other construction projects in the area
12. Maintenance issues including accessibility in noise/privacy wall areas, mowing and plowing considerations and maintenance of landscaping beds.
13. Maintaining access to properties during construction

Construction Cost Estimate
The Construction Cost Estimate will be prepared in accordance with the Construction Cost Estimating Guidelines. The designer will utilize the most current forms that are available. The manual is updated each year in the month of August.

Construction Schedule
The designer should develop a Preliminary Progress Schedule and Narrative using the Capital Program Management Construction Scheduling Standard Coding and Procedures for Designers and Contractors Manual as a guide.

The project schedule shall provide a duration range based on past project history vs. construction cost and should address all known construction elements proposed for development by the design. It should factor in all elements contained in the Preliminary Design Submission and also reflect other influences such as multi-year funding, public commitments, high Road User Costs and minimization of construction seasons. The designer should also include a preferred start date and the reasons for choosing it, (ie. Complete construction in one construction season or beginning stage cannot be started due to winter or permit conditions, etc.)

Proposed Bidding Method
The designer should discuss the issues that affect the need to accelerate a project’s construction schedule and recommend one of the four bidding methods defined in the Capital Program Management Construction Scheduling Standard Coding and Procedures for Designers and Contractors Manual if acceleration of the project is desirable.

The designer should indicate the reasons for the method selected and shall take into account such things as high road user costs, seasonal requirements, community and business impacts, emergency serviceability or safety factors, user delays etc. The designer should also address the ROW, Utility, Environmental and funding needs required to execute the method.

Specifications
The designer should include the following if the information has been developed:

1. A description shall be included for any anticipated “non-standard” items, including non-standard proprietary items or experimental items, and anticipated major revisions to standard items/language (specify on list whether revised or non-standard specification is experimental or immediate need). 
2. A description of any unique features of the project relative to the construction and proposed revisions to any Standard Specifications, including the current SI.

The descriptions must be sufficient to justify the appropriateness or applicability of the non-standard or unique work instead of the current standards. It is not required to provide detailed plans and specifications with the justification, however, the justification must clearly detail why a comparable standard item and/or standard specification can not be used. The description should also address any potential maintenance issues with that non-standard work. The designer should determine if similarly proposed work is currently under review and development to issue a standard, and whether that is applicable for use on the project.

Materials
The Designers shall discuss the use of any non-standard materials or products, especially specialty concrete mixes and related testing requirements. Additionally, Designers need to consider if materials meet the Buy American requirements.

New Technologies and Products (NTP)
The designer, utilizing the guidelines set forth in CAN 55R and Section T above, should discuss his evaluation and selection of new technologies and products to be used including a list of Non-standard items that will require development of a new specification.

The selection of non-standard items can be obtained by one of two methods:

1. Selected from the current NTP database found on the NJDOT/CPM web site
2. Development of new items by communication with the respective SME units as to the specific needs of the project. This discussion shall include documentation covering the information listed on the NTP Evaluation Sheet (Form QMS NTP-1) located on the NTP Website. A material safety data sheet (MSDS) and/or disclosure of hazard or safety issues must also be submitted

Others (as needed, per the Designer and Project Manager)
Issues not covered under previous subheadings will be discussed through Interactive Communications, and documented in the Design Communications Report.

Plan Submissions Guidelines

The content of the plan submission will vary depending upon the unique aspects of each project. The listing below includes all of the types of plans that may warrant inclusion in the PDS, as well as detailed listings of what may be included on each type of sheet. The Project Manager, the Quality Assurance Team Leader, and the designer shall review the listing in order to determine which type of plan sheets are required and the amount of detail that is required on each sheet. This determination shall be based upon the plans that were developed in order to support the approval of the environmental document for the project as well as any other plan sheets that have been developed that may clarify the designer’s intent.

1. KEY SHEET
2. TYPICAL SECTION SHEETS
   1. Profile control indicated; base or centerline labeled
   2. Percent grade slopes indicated
   3. Typical Sections shown for each section change including ramps, local roads, etc.
      1. for widening and resurfacing, show the existing conditions including pavement thickness, subbase, curbs, lane widths, etc.
      2. proposed widening and/or resurfacing should be shown over the existing conditions
      3. proposed lane, shoulder, and auxiliary lane widths shown and labeled (including median)
      4. existing and proposed right-of-way lines and easements shown and labeled
      5. existing and proposed curb and barrier curb shown and labeled
   4. Slope limits
   5. Slopes for various heights of fill
   6. Scales (graphic)
   7. Guide rail and fence locations (existing and proposed)
   8. Existing pavements and dimensions
   9. Location of channels, ditches, overload placement, underdrains, etc.
   10. Types of proposed pavement, bases, curbs
   11. Topsoil, fertilizing, and seeding, types shown
   12. Slopes rounded, tops only
   13. Limits in rock cuts, wet excavation, unusable materials, limits for Zone 2 backfill
   14. Non-vegetative surface under guide rail
   15. Structures including noise barriers, walls, piers, abutments, overhead sign structures
3. CONSTRUCTION PLAN SHEETS
   1. Bench marks, approximately 120 meter / 400 feet spacing
   2. North arrow - NJ State Plane Coordinate System (NAD83)
   3. Vertical Datum - North American Vertical Datum 1988 (NAVD88)
   4. Scales (graphic)
   5. Baseline (construction)
   6. Proposed horizontal geometry
   7. All roadway dimensions compatible with the Typical Section, including limits of cut and fill
   8. Match lines and stations
   9. Equations shown and stationed
   10. Begin and end limits of various size curbs and transition lengths including barrier curb
   11. Bridge approach slab layout
   12. Joint layout shown on concrete pavement construction
   13. Inverts and top of grade elevations of proposed and existing drainage structures
   14. Safety treatments
   15. Proposed structural work including overhead sign structures and cantilever sign structures
   16. Proposed building demolitions
   17. Existing and proposed utilities
   18. Driveways
   19. Existing and proposed Right of Way including possible construction easements and No-Access limits
   20. If separate Preliminary Environmental Plan Sheets are not included, then environmentally sensitive areas should be delineated i.e. wetlands, historic, regulated waste, flood limits.
4. PROFILE SHEETS
   1. Existing profile to include 150 meters/500 feet on each side of the project limits
   2. Existing ground line and station elevations
   3. Proposed profile
   4. Datum reference, vertical control NAVD88
   5. Structure footings and various types of special excavations
   6. Scales (graphic)
   7. Vertical curve limits
   8. Vertical curve design data
   9. Existing and proposed structural clearances
   10. Proposed design speed for all ramp profiles (if applicable)
   11. Begin and end of project limits
   12. All railroad crossings
5. TIE SHEETS
   1. Horizontal data, control ties to all PC’s, PI’s, and PT’s on the project baseline furnished, and where a field survey line differs from the project baseline (show both)
   2. North arrow
      1. New Jersey State Plane Coordinate System (NAD83)
      2. True north
      3. Assumed meridian
      4. Meridian taken from previous plans
   3. Scales (graphic)
   4. List of existing horizontal and vertical control monuments used for project
   5. Sufficient information for horizontal and vertical construction layout
   6. List of all original right-of-way and baseline and control line monuments, with notation which were found and/or not found
6. GRADE SHEETS
   1. Pavement cross slopes and superelevation rates including transition areas
   2. Proposed grades for cross slopes at 7.5 meter/25 feet intervals where plans deviate from Typical Sections
   3. Scales (graphic)
   4. Proposed at-grade drainage features with elevations
   5. Grate and/or rim elevations
   6. Detention and retention basins (contoured)
   7. Contours for infield areas that are not fully covered by cross sections
   8. Proposed lane and shoulder widths
   9. North arrow
   10. Township and County
7. CROSS SECTION SHEETS
   1. Existing ground line plotted
   2. Proposed section template plus baseline plotted correctly
   3. Proposed and existing profile grade elevation
   4. Datum for each section (horizontal and vertical)
   5. Legend
   6. Limits of wet excavation and regulated waste excavation
   7. Retaining walls, crib walls, abutments, piers, and buildings (foundations)
   8. Limits of Zone 3 backfill with apparent firm bottom
   9. Preliminary ditch sections
   10. Channel sections
   11. Limits of excavation and embankment indicated (end sections, equations, bridge sites, etc.)
   12. Porous fill, bridge foundation borrow excavation, Zone 1 & Zone 2 materials, or any select embankments clearly indicated
   13. Lower right above title block, the location (mainline, Ramp Z, etc.) and station to station of the sheet
   14. Common line limit for alternate wall designs
   15. Match line for overlapping cross sections
8. PRELIMINARY EARTHWORK SUMMARY SHEET

Preliminary Structures
Preliminary plans for all structures may include, but are not limited to:

1. Notes:
   1. Design Specification
   2. Design Loading (Live loads and Impact vessel)
   3. Design Stresses (All structure elements)
   4. Material (All structure elements)
   5. Future wearing surface 
   6. Seismic Data -  SPC, A and S
   7. Recommended foundation criteria
2. Cross Section
   1. Bridge roadway and shoulder width
   2. Slab thickness
   3. Beam size, spacing, type (composite/hybrid) and material
   4. Type and size of rail, median, parapets, fences, wingwalls
   5. Type of bearings (elastomeric or HLMR)
   6. Geometry (Cross slope/super elevation)
   7. Staging details with barrier to be used
3. Plan View
   1. Span length, skew and width of structure
   2. Station equation for intersecting baselines
   3. Baseline stationing on bridge and feature intersected
   4. Roadway and shoulder dimensions
   5. Location of point of minimum vertical clearance
   6. Critical lateral clearance
   7. Stage construction and temporary sheeting
   8. Size and location of deck drainage features
   9. Boring locations
   10. Slope protection
   11. Existing structures (work to be done)
   12. Utilities
   13. Future widening
   14. Approach roadway and railway
   15. Type of wingwall
   16. Guiderail location and connections to structure
   17. Footings
   18. Stream contour
4. Elevation
   1. Existing and proposed vertical and horizontal clearance and temporary vertical and lateral clearance
   2. Types locations of expansion or fixed bearings
   3. Footing elevations and type of footing, capacity and length of piles or caissons.
   4. Foundation information and loads
   5. Existing ground profile and rock line
   6. High water elevation, 100 year flood elevation, design year and hydraulic data including waterway opening
   7. Pier type, size and elevation
   8. Scour countermeasures
5. Section through Abutment
   1. Type and size of abutment
   2. Approaches and joint types
6. Pier Sketch
   1. Type and size of pier and material of piers
   2. Number of columns
7. Horizontal and vertical curve data
8. Architectural, aesthetic treatments and features

1. General Property Parcel Maps
   1. Must include Fee Parcel and Easement Areas
   2. The level of preliminary plan detail must be sufficient to preclude any significant, or material changes in the final ROW plans.
2. Property Descriptions
3. Individual Property Parcel Maps
   For projects that have entire acquisition parcels.

Preliminary Signing & Signal Plans
Prepare preliminary Striping and Signing plans in accordance with NJDOT Sample Plans.
Prepare Signal Plans in accordance with Section 16 of the NJDOT Procedures Manual

Preliminary Staging/Traffic Control Plans
Prepare preliminary Traffic Control Plans and Staging plans in accordance with NJDOT Design Manual - Roadway, Section 14, “ Guidelines for Traffic Control Plans and Details” and Sample Plans.

Preliminary Lighting Design Plans
The preliminary plans shall be completed in accordance with Section 16.3 and 16.5 of the NJDOT Procedures manual. A sample lighting plan sheet E-1, is available as part of the NJDOT sample plans.

Preliminary Drainage and Soil Erosion & Sediment Control (SE & SC) Design Plan
The Drainage and SE & SC plans shall be completed in accordance with the New Jersey Department of Transportation Procedures Manual and Sample Plans and should include at least the following information:

1. Existing and proposed pipe with size, material, and invert
2. Inlet type, manhole, and headwall located using station and offset
3. Conduit outlet protection with length, width, and d50 stone size
4. High and low drainage points
5. Sediment basins
6. Diversion swales
7. Acid producing soil locations
8. Slope protection
9. Inlet protection
10. On projects where rock will be encountered with rock excavation, are combination drains shown

ITS Facilities Layout Plan
Prepare ITS Facilities Layout” plans at 100 scale if required for the project.

1. Address the identified ITS needs.
2. Coordinate and verify field locations for ITS devices.
3. Determine availability of telephone and electric services.
4. Obtain/review preliminary roadway, drainage, and utility plans.
5. Identify/resolve any conflicts.
6. Identify all required boring locations.

Preliminary Access Cut-outs
In coordination with the “Access Design” portion of the PDS (Letter H in the Design Elements section under Text Submission), the designer is responsible for preparing individual access cutouts for each driveway impacted by the State highway project. The individual access cutouts will be prepared in accordance with the “Office of Access Design, Designer Requirements for Revocations, Modifications, and Adjustments of Access.” The designer will prepare 2 copies of draft cutouts for review. 

Preliminary Jurisdictional Limit Maps