1. (a)

   1. (1) Coordination with the Arkansas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration should happen as early as possible in order to avoid unnecessary effort on the part of the proposing entity.
   2. (2) If a consulting firm will be utilized, early coordination should occur as soon as possible to help define the scope of the contract.

2. (b) An early coordination meeting should include, but is not limited to:

   1. (1)

      1. (A) The department.
      2. (B) The Planning and Research Division should coordinate the meeting with appropriate staff, which typically includes representatives from the Roadway Design, Environmental, Bridge, Right of Way, and Surveys Divisions, as well as the relevant district;
   2. (2) The Arkansas Division of the Federal Highway Administration;
   3. (3) The MPO, if applicable;
   4. (4) The entity proposing the new or revised freeway access request;
   5. (5) Transit operators, if applicable; and
   6. (6) Emergency management personnel, if appropriate.

3. (c) The following issues should be addressed as part of the coordination meeting:

   1. (1) Reasonability of the request in accordance to this part;
   2. (2) Need for department and Federal Highway Administration review and action;
   3. (3) Study area and scope of the analysis;
   4. (4) Defining the purpose and need of the access request;
   5. (5) Performance objectives and measures; and

   6. (6)

      1. (A) Technical analysis requirements for the planning, environmental, design, safety, and operations issues.
      2. (B) The appropriate operational analysis tool or tools and a data collection plan should be discussed.
4. (d) The Planning and Research Division staff will be responsible for documenting the meeting minutes.

Codification Notes: “MPO” means metropolitan planning organization.