Overview
This guidebook presents an approach for integrating TSM&O strategies into the metropolitan transportation planning process that is designed to maximize the performance of the existing and planned transportation system. Planning for operations is recommended as a means to meet federal transportation planning requirements for promoting “efficient system management and operations” and implementing a congestion management process (CMP), which is required in Transportation Management Areas (TMA).
Operations objectives contained in a metropolitan transportation plan are the drivers behind planning for operations: specific, measurable, agreed-upon statements of system performance that can be tracked on the regional level and inform investment decisions. The benefits of following an objectives-driven, performance-based approach to planning for operations include: illustrating and tying objectives to outcomes and available resources, increased accountability and communication with the public and stakeholders through performance measurement, and engagement of the TSM&O community and partners.
Specific sections of the guidebook focus on:
- Developing operations goals and objectives
- Developing performance measures, assessing needs, and selecting strategies
- Plans, programs, and projects resulting from an objectives-driven, performance-based approach to operations
- The process for ongoing monitoring and evaluation
- The role, approach, and tool for regional coordination and collaboration
Appendices are included covering:
- Requirements of SAFETEA-LU
- Components of a CMP
- Applications of the planning for operations approach to linking planning and NEPA, freight planning, safety planning, and land use integration
- Operations objectives and performance measures in private and public organizations