Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSM&O) Plans

Several regions in the United States have found it useful to develop a plan focused on transportation systems management and operations (TSM&O) in the region. The plans are often then used as either an addendum to the metropolitan transportation plan (MTP) or provide input to the overall plan in terms of operations goals, objectives, performance measures, strategies, and projects or programs. During the development of a TSM&O plan, management and operations stakeholders and planners work together to define a common vision for transportation system operations in the region, develop operations objectives to guide the selection of M&O strategies, and identify performance measures that will enable them to track progress toward their objectives. Participants also develop strategies and potential projects or programs to reach those objectives. They then seek out resources to support the projects often by working within the region’s planning and programming processes.