READ ON TO FIND RESOURCES WITH ANSWERS TO

THESE QUESTIONS AND MORE...

Good

Questions.

September 2013

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING

FOR OPERATIONS:

Quick Guide to Practitioner Resources

“How do we

develop objectives 

and performance 

measures for transportation 

system reliability and

efficiency?” “How do I

analyze the 

potential effects

of operations 

improvements?” “How areother 

regions incorporating 

operations in their 

planning

process?”
Transportation professionals like you have important questions 

about the complex transportation challenges of planning for 

operations. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has 

developed a number of knowledge resources to help provide 

answers to planners, operators, public safety professionals, 

and transportation decisionmakers. 

This brochure lists the resources available including guidebooks, case studies, and workshops. 

They were created with the input of transportation professionals across the country to help 

improve planning for the management and operation of transportation facilities. 

All publications are available from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Planning for 

Operations website at: http://www.plan4operations.dot.gov. 

READ ON TO FIND THE RIGHT RESOURCES FOR YOUR QUESTIONS. 
Publications 1

Metropolitan Planning for Operations 1

Statewide Planning for Operations 3

Regional Coordination and Collaboration 4

Collaborative Tools to Integrate Operations 

into Planning 5

Analysis of Management and Operations 6

Organizing for Operations 6

Workshops 7

WHAT IS TRANSPORTATION PLANNING FOR OPERATIONS?

Planning for operations is a joint effort between planners and operators to 

integrate management and operations (M&O) strategies into the planning 

process for the purpose of improving regional transportation system efficiency, 

reliability, and travel options. M&O strategies aim to maximize the performance 

of existing and planning infrastructure through multi-modal, multiagency, 

and inter-modal systems, services, and projects.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Publications | 1

METROPOLITAN PLANNING FOR OPERATIONS

Resources, tools, and case studies to help integrate M&O strategies into metropolitan transportation planning 

“What is the

FHWA-recommended 

approach for 

incorporating M&O 

into the metropolitan 

transportation planning 

process?”

Advancing Metropolitan Planning for Operations: 

An Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based 

Approach – A Guidebook

Presents an objectives-driven, performance-based 

approach for integrating M&O strategies into the 

metropolitan transportation plan (MTP) to maximize 

performance, fulfill Federal planning requirements, and 

meet customer needs. 

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop10026/

index.htm

“Where can I find sample 

objectives, performance 

measures, and a model 

plan for integrating 

operations into a 

transportation plan?”

Advancing Metropolitan Planning for Operations: 

The Building Blocks of a Model Transportation Plan 

Incorporating Operations – A Desk Reference 

Offers MPOs and their State and local partners a menu 

of options for incorporating operations into their plans. 

Provides an organized collection of sample operations 

objectives, performance measures, and excerpts of 

a metropolitan transportation plan incorporating 

operations.

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop10027/

index.htm

Advancing Metropolitan 

Planning for Operations 

A Desk Reference 

The Building Blocks of a Model Transportation

Plan Incorporating Operations

“How are other regions 

finding success in 

planning for operations?”

The How: Case Studies for Advancing Planning for 

Operations

Presents six case studies of regions around the country 

where agencies are applying elements of an objectivesdriven, performance-based approach to planning for 

operations. 

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publications.

htm#pfo 

PUBLICATIONS
2 | Publications

Congestion Management Process: A Guidebook

Describes a flexible framework of eight congestion 

management actions as part of an objectivesdriven, performance-based approach. Also 

highlights the role of the congestion management 

process (CMP) in supporting livability, multimodal 

transportation, environmental review, collaboration, 

demand management and operations strategies, 

documentation, and visualization.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/congestion_

management_process/cmp_guidebook/

“How can we implement 

an effective congestion 

management process?”

Showcasing Visualization Tools in Congestion 

Management

Provides examples of visualizations that can be used 

as part of the CMP. Identifies different types of visuals, 

including maps, 3-D images, and charts, as well as 

techniques such as use of video, and describes data 

needs.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/congestion_

management_process/cmp_visualization_tools/

“How can we better 

communicate congestion 

issues to decisionmakers, 

the public, and other 

stakeholders using 

visualization tools?”

The Role of Transportation Systems Management 

& Operations in Supporting Livability and 

Sustainability: A Primer

This primer describes nine key elements for managing 

and operating transportation systems that support 

advancing livability and sustainability. It provides 

a vision of how the regional transportation system 

could look in the future if M&O strategies were 

comprehensively implemented to advance livability 

and sustainability goals. 

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/

fhwahop12004/index.htm

“How can we increase 

livability and sustainability 

with M&O strategies?”

PUBLICATIONS
Publications | 3

STATEWIDE PLANNING FOR OPERATIONS 

Resources that speak to the particular challenges and opportunities in planning for operations at the state level 

“How can State DOTs 

integrate operations, 

safety, and planning?”

Statewide Opportunities for Integrating 

Operations, Safety, and Multimodal Planning: A 

Reference Manual

Provides “how-to” information to assist State DOTs 

in integrating these functional areas to produce 

better investment decisions. Identifies and describes 

opportunities at various levels of decisionmaking – 

statewide, regional, corridor, and project – and the 

benefits of these approaches. Describes the benefits, 

challenges, stakeholders, and implementation actions 

for each opportunity. Also includes toolkits, case study 

examples, and self-assessment checklists at each level of 

decisionmaking. 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/statewide/manual/

index.cfm

“What are the best 

practices for integrating 

operations into planning 

at the state level?”

Statewide Opportunities for Linking Planning and 

Operations: A Primer

Highlights the benefits of linking planning for operations 

at the state level. Identifies and describes five major 

types of opportunities and provides case studies of 

successful practices. Also includes a self-assessment 

questionnaire to help State DOT planning and 

operational staff understand how well they are currently 

linking planning and operations. 

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop08028/index.

htm 

PUBLICATIONS
4 | Publications

REGIONAL COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION

Resources to help transportation agencies work together to improve transportation operations 

The Collaborative Advantage: Realizing the 

Tangible Benefits of Regional Transportation 

Operations Collaboration 

Examines collaborative strategies to improve 

transportation system performance and a process to 

assess the benefits of collaboration. Nine case studies 

of collaborative efforts demonstrate tangible benefits.

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/benefits_guide/

index.htm

“What are the benefits of 

regional collaboration for 

my agency?”

Getting More by Working Together — 

Opportunities for Linking Planning and 

Operations: A Reference Manual

Helps transportation planning and operations 

managers understand the value of working together 

and the benefits of pursuing regional M&O strategies. 

Identifies 10 opportunities – such as data sharing, 

funding and resource sharing, and performance 

measures – to strengthen the connections between 

planning and operations functions. A self-assessment 

guide helps agencies gauge current process in linking 

planning and operations. 

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/lpo_ref_guide/index.

htm 

“What are important 

opportunities for 

planners and operators 

to collaborate for mutual 

benefit?”

Regional Transportation Operations 

Collaboration and Coordination: A Primer for 

Working Together to Improve Transportation 

Safety, Reliability, and Security

Directed at transportation professionals and public 

safety officials responsible for day-to-day management 

and operations within a metropolitan region, as well 

as agencies already involved in regional collaborative 

efforts. Includes a collaboration self-assessment and 

examples of successful case studies.

http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/13686.html

“How do we understand 

and build the fundamental 

components of regional 

collaboration?”

PUBLICATIONS
Publications | 5

COLLABORATIVE TOOLS TO INTEGRATE OPERATIONS INTO PLANNING

Resources that support the development and use of collaborative management 

tools that promote effective planning for operations

“How do we build 

a strategic plan to 

guide collaborative 

transportation efforts?”

Regional Concept for Transportation Operations: 

The Blueprint for Action – A Primer 

Introduces the Regional Concept for Transportation 

Operations, a management tool to help agencies 

think through, plan, and implement management and 

operations (M&O) strategies in a collaborative and 

sustained manner. 

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/rctoprimer/

index.htm

“What valuable lessons 

can we learn from other 

regions that have used 

an RCTO?”

The Regional Concept for Transportation 

Operations: A Practitioner’s Guide

This practitioner’s guide is a collection of the 

observed successes and lessons learned from four 

metropolitan regions as they developed Regional 

Concepts for Transportation Operations (RCTOs). 

RCTOs are a management tool used by planners and 

operations practitioners to define a strategic direction 

for implementing effective regional transportation 

management and operations in a collaborative manner. 

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop11032/

index.htm

“How can we leverage 

our regional ITS 

architecture in planning 

for operations?”

Applying a Regional ITS Architecture to Support 

Planning for Operations: A Primer 

This primer offers transportation planners and 

operations managers a menu of opportunities for 

applying the regional ITS architecture to enhance 

planning for operations. It provides specific entry 

points for leveraging the regional ITS architecture in 

integrating operations into the planning process. 

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop12001/

index.htm

PUBLICATIONS
6 | Publications

ANALYSIS OF MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS 

Resources to support the quantitative analysis of management and operations strategies

Operations Benefit/Cost Analysis Desk Reference

Provides practitioners with guidance on how to effectively and 

reliably estimate the benefits and costs of operations strategies. 

It includes background information on benefit/cost analysis 

including basic terminology and concepts. It is intended to 

support the needs of practitioners just getting started with B/C 

analysis and unfamiliar with the general process. It also describes 

some of the more complex analytical concepts and latest research 

in order to support more advanced analysts. This Desk Reference 

is supported by an Operations B/C decision support spreadsheet 

tool, called the Tool for Operations Benefit/Cost (TOPS-BC).

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop12028/index.htm

“How do I 

effectively and 

reliably estimate 

the benefits and 

costs of operations 

strategies?”

Applying Analysis Tools in Planning for Operations 

Examines the use of software and analytical tools as well as 

basic analysis methods to support planning for operations. 

Tools and methods include traffic signal optimization tools, 

simulation tools, sketch planning tools, and archived operations 

data. Accompanying case studies help planners and operations 

professionals better use existing analysis tools and methods to 

analyze, evaluate, and report the benefits of investments in M&O 

strategies. 

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop10001/index.htm

“How do we analyze 

and evaluate the 

expected impacts 

of management 

and operations 

investments?”

ORGANIZING FOR OPERATIONS

A resource to prepare organizations to effectively plan and implement management and operations

Creating an Effective Program to Advance Transportation 

System Management and Operations Primer

Offers high-level guidance on key program, process, and 

organizational capabilities that are essential to effective 

transportation system management and operations within 

agencies. It is aimed at program and activity-level managers 

responsible for M&O related activities in State, regional, and local 

transportation agencies. The “capability maturity” approach 

presented here identifies the key areas that impact program 

effectiveness: business processes, systems and technology, 

performance measurement, culture, organization and workforce, 

and collaboration.

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop12003/index.htm

“What capabilities 

does my agency 

need for a strong 

management 

and operations 

program?”

PUBLICATIONS
Workshops | 7

Integrating Planning for Operations into Metropolitan Transportation Plans and Programs – A Workshop

Beginner - Intermediate 1/2 – 2 Days

This workshop aims to assist metropolitan planning agencies and their planning partners adopt and begin to utilize and 

integrate key elements of planning for operations into their metropolitan transportation plans and programs. The session 

consists of an introduction to planning for operations and then one or more modules, focusing on specialized topics. 

Modules are selected to respond to the specific interests of the region(s) represented at the workshop. Module options 

include:

• Applying Analysis Tools in Planning for Operations

• Benefit-Cost Analysis of Operational Strategies

• Integrating Travel Demand Management into the Transportation Planning Process

• Developing a Regional Concept for Transportation Operations (RCTO)

• Supporting Livability and Sustainability with Operations

• Applying the Regional ITS Architecture to Support Planning

• Organizing for Operations

• Advancing Traffic Incident Management (TIM) in Regional Planning

• Marketing Operations to Decisionmakers

Contact: wayne.berman@dot.gov

Advancing Planning for Operations in Metropolitan Areas (NHI 133111)

Beginner 1 1/2 – 2 Days

This course provides a foundational understanding of planning for operations. It focuses on the use of specific, measurable 

objectives and performance measures to advance operations in the metropolitan planning process. It encourages 

enhanced regional collaboration and coordination between planners and operators in advancing M&O and integrating 

the congestion management process in transportation planning. The course includes an optional half-day workshop 

tailored for the region.

More information available at: http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/training/course_search.aspx.

Applying Analysis Tools in Planning for Operations

All Levels 1 Day

This workshop provides planners and operators with insights into the range of best practice models, analysis methods, 

and analytical approaches currently used for decisionmaking. Some of the tools that are discussed include: sketch 

planning, travel demand models, simulation models, application-specific models, and the use of archived data for 

performance monitoring and reporting.

Contact: douglas.laird@dot.gov

WORKSHOPS
8 | Workshops WORKSHOPS Benefit Cost Analysis of Operational Strategies

All Levels 1 Day

The Office of Operations is conducting workshops for interested stakeholders to explain and validate the Benefit-Cost (B/C) 

for Operations Desk Reference and Decision Support Tool. The B/C guidance and tool will assist planners and operations 

practitioners in assessing the economic value of management and operations (M&O) strategies. The tool will perform 

sketch planning B/C analysis, provide guidance on sophisticated B/C models based on user needs, and will provide 

estimates of life cycle costs for M&O strategies.

Contact: jim.hunt@dot.gov

Implementing an Effective Congestion Management Process as Part of Performance-Based Planning

Beginner 1 Day

This workshop is intended to be a refresher on the development of the congestion management process (CMP). It features 

best practice examples from CMPs developed by other transportation management areas, and also aims to cover changes 

from previous guidebooks, explore Federal requirements, and provide an overview of the components of an effective 

CMP.

Contact: ben.williams@dot.gov
CONTACT

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Toll-Free “Help Line” 866.367.7487

www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov

FHWA-HOP-13-049