Transportation
Planning

Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP): The UPWP is the management plan for the planning program. Its intent is to coordinate the planning activities of all participants in the planning process. Because the UPWP reflects local priorities, the content will likely differ from one metropolitan area to another. The UPWP will usually:

• describe the planning tasks and studies that will be conducted by planning participants over a one- to two-year period.
  
• include all federally funded studies,
• identify funding sources,
  
• provide a schedule of activities, and
  
• identify responsible agencies.
  

Transportation Plan: The transportation plan is an important statement of the directions the region will be taking with regard to investment in the transportation system. The plan shall include both long range and short range strategies/actions that lead to the development of an integrated intermodal transportation system that facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods. Common characteristics of the plan include:

• Focusing at the systems level, that is, including roadways, transit, non-motorized transportation, and intermodal connections.
  
• Demonstrating preservation of existing facilities and efficient use of the existing system.
  
• Reflecting regional land use, development, housing, and employment goals and plans.
  
• Identifying projected demand for transportation services.
  
• Identifying policies, strategies, and projects to address future needs.
  

Opportunities should be provided for active participation of interested parties in the development of the plan. In addition, the plan needs to be financially constrained and in cases where a metropolitan area is designated as a non-attainment or maintenance area, the plan must conform to the State Implementation Plan.

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): The TIP is a three-year program of transportation projects and strategies that are drawn from the metropolitan transportation plan. As such, it is the region's means of allocating limited transportation resources to projects and programs, and in the process of establishing a clear set of short-term transportation priorities. Characteristics of the TIP include:

• It must cover three years of investment,
  
• Be updated at least every two years,
  
• Be financially constrained,
  
• Conform with the State Implementation Plan (SIP) if the region is designated a non-attainment or maintenance area, and
  
• Be incorporated into the transportation improvement program for the State (known as the STIP).