SMART SCALE
In 2014, legislation was approved which affects the way projects are prioritized in the VDOT Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP). Under the Code of Virginia §33.1-23.5:5. Statewide prioritization process for project selection, this legislation created a system for project prioritization to guide decision making by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB). Public hearings were held throughout the Commonwealth in September and October 2014 to receive citizen and stakeholder input as well as to inform the public of the new prioritization legislation known as SMART SCALE (System Management and Allocation of Resources for Transportation: Safety, Congestion, Accessibility, Land Use, Economic Development, and Environment). The six prioritization factors included in SMART SCALE are: Safety, Congestion Mitigation, Accessibility, Land Use Coordination, Economic Development, and Environmental Quality.
Staff coordinates and develops applications on behalf of member localities desiring the RVTPO to apply for SMART SCALE projects on their behalf.
In March 2019, following scoring of the third round of SMART SCALE projects, the RVTPO Policy Board requested staff to develop a historical and comparative analysis of its performance. The full analysis can be found here. In August 2021, following the fourth round of SMART SCALE projects, staff developed another historical and comparative analysis of the RVTPO’s performance. The full analysis can be found here.
For the upcoming FY24 round of applications, a RVARC & RVTPO SMART SCALE Candidate Project Request Form is required by all applicants seeking the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission or Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning Organization to apply for SMART SCALE on their behalf. This form is due no later than Tuesday, November 30, 2021..
In December 2019, the RVTPO Policy Board is presented all requests; and in January 2020, the Policy Board will determine which projects to pursue.
FY22 SMART SCALE Funded Projects
The following table is a list of funded SMART SCALE projects from the region that are included in the VDOT FY22-27 Six-Year Improvement Program.
| ORGANIZATION | DESCRIPTION | Project Total Cost |
| Botetourt County | US460/Laymantown Road Intersection Improvement | $ 7,623,347 |
| Franklin County | Intersection Improvements to Bonbrook Mill (Rte 635)/Rte 220 | $ 6,342,292 |
| Roanoke | Valley View Blvd / Aviation Drive Pedestrian Improvements | $ 7,178,491 |
| Roanoke | Route 460 (Orange Ave) Improvements near Blue Hills Drive | $ 5,580,213 |
| Roanoke | Route 460 (Orange Ave) Improvements at King Street | $ 5,005,724 |
| Roanoke | Route 460 (Orange Ave) Improvements Seibel Dr/ Hickory Woods | $ 436,731 |
| Roanoke County | Starkey Road/Buck Mountain Road Intersection Improvements | $ 5,841,480 |
| Roanoke County | Valleypointe Parkway Realignment | $ 9,837,072 |
| Roanoke County | Route 419 Streetscape Improvements, Phase 2 | $ 18,469,482 |
| RVTPO | Route 460 Intersections from Carson Rd. to Huntridge Rd. | $ 2,766,831 |
| RVTPO | Route 460 at West Ruritan Road Intersection Improvements | $ 7,537,497 |
| RVARC | Roadway Improvements on Rtes 220/613 (Naff Road) | $ 5,866,387 |
| Salem | Downtown Salem – College Avenue Improvements | $ 3,017,132 |
| Salem | Downtown Salem – Market Street Intersection Improvements | $ 2,311,825 |
| Salem | Apperson Drive (Rte. 11) and Orchard Intersection Improvements | $ 2,387,558 |
| Salem | Roanoke River Greenway Golden Spike | $ 4,520,561 |
| Vinton | Walnut Avenue Corridor Improvements Phase 3 Project | $ 7,399,781 |
More information on the SMART SCALE process is available at the official website.