Selection of alternatives is one of the most important activities in planning a transit project. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) does not require any specific set of alternatives, but requires that the set of alternatives developed (1) responds to the local transportation problem; and (2) performs best within the limits of its technology and operating characteristics. The objective is an appropriate set of transportation alternatives to develop, refine, and evaluate during alternatives analysis.

Steps in the selection process include:

1. Identifying priority corridors, where the most useful and efficient connections can be made and the public’s travel needs met.
2. Selecting a mode, or technology (bus, rapid bus, streetcar, light rail, etc.), and the orientation of that mode (street-level, elevated, or underground).
3. Selecting general alignments—determining which priority corridors within the study area have the greatest need for new or improved transit services and facilities.
4. Selecting a set of design standards and specific alignments.
5. Selecting a locally preferred alternative.

Several key principles should be considered to ensure that a well-structured set of reasonable alternatives is developed to address identified problems in the corridor, including:

• Purpose and need for a major transportation investment
• “Baseline” options – a “No-Build” alternative and a “TSM” ( Transportation System Management ) alternative
• Reasonable modes and alignments – make technical sense in addressing transportation problems, appropriate for the setting, and financially feasible
• Differing goals and objectives
• Reasonable chance to become locally preferred alternative
• Appropriate range of options in terms of cost
• Fallback options when feasibility questionable
• Manageable number of alternatives

The final set of alternatives to be evaluated in the Environmental Assessment/Alternatives Analysis (EA/AA) will likely fall into the following categories:

• No-Build Alternative – No additional transit improvements beyond what already exists or is planned and programmed. This alternative must be included according to NEPA regulations.
• Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternative – The TSM alternative includes improvements in transit services and facilities without a major capital investment. FTA requires that this option be included in the AA.
• Bus Transit Alternatives – These alternatives could include expansions of existing conventional bus and shuttle and planned rapid bus systems, or introduction of a new mode of bus service.
• Fixed Guideway Transit Alternatives – Fixed guideway usually refers to some type of rail facility (although some types of bus transit run on fixed guideways). These alternatives could include various modes of streetcar, light rail, or other rail transit. Some modes run on-street while others may require dedicated right-of-way.