Planning for Operations


About the Workshop


The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) continue their joint efforts to advance the state of the practice in preparing metropolitan transportation plans (MTP). Chief among these efforts is a focus on applying an objectives-driven, performance-based approach to planning. The agencies fund research to develop new tools and approaches, as well as produce reference materials and deliver technical training and assistance to state and local agencies. At this workshop, lead researchers for FHWA and FTA and state-of-the-art practitioners will provide an overview of newly released reference materials that advance the objectives-driven, performance-based planning approach and discuss real-world experiences.

Jessica Josselyn and Phill Worth, from Kittelson, led the development of a newly released FHWA/FTA document titled, Advancing Metropolitan Planning for Operations: The Building Blocks of a Model Transportation Plan Incorporating Operations – A Desk Reference. The Desk Reference is a practitioner’s resource, designed as an aid to improve their metropolitan transportation plans. Users of the Desk Reference are shown how to develop Strategic, Measureable, Agreed to, Realistic, Time-bound (SMART) objectives and apply them throughout the update process. Particular emphasis is given to operations objectives, performance measures, and strategies that are relevant to their region, reflect the community's values and constraints, and support efforts to create livable, sustainable communities. The Desk Reference offers practitioners a menu of options for incorporating operations into their plans through an organized collection of sample operations objectives and performance measures. It also features excerpts from a model metropolitan transportation plan, illustrating the results of an objectives-driven, performance-based approach to planning for operations. Succinct commentary on the excerpts ensures a clear understanding of the benefits and applications of each element presented.

Deena Platman, Principal Transportation Planner with Metro, will join Jessica and Phill, discussing her involvement in developing the Desk Reference, applying the objectives-driven, performance-based approach, and integrating operations into Metro’s newly adopted 2035 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Jessica and Phill will also present case studies for small, medium, and large metropolitan areas from around the country.

This workshop is equally suited to two unique groups. The first is city, county, MPO, and state planners and engineers that are responsible for developing and implementing their multimodal transportation plans. The second group includes those responsible for operating the transportation system, such as transit providers, public works directors, ITS and signal system engineers, emergency management, and maintenance supervisors.

Registration & networking begins at 3pm and the TES workshop will start promptly at 3:30 and run to 5:30 pm on March 31st. Refreshments will be served as well.

There is no cost to attend this session and the workshop is equal to 2.0 professional development hours (PDH).

If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Dave Mills, the Portland Office Manager, at (503) 228-5230. We hope you can join us for this informative workshop on this fun and engaging topic.


About the Presenters


Deena Platman, PE, Principal Transportation Planner, Metro

Phill Worth, Principal Planner, Kittelson & Associates, Portland, OR

Jessica Josselyn, Senior Planner, Kittelson & Associates, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Event Materials