The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released today a new study that demonstrates how state and local agencies can work together to improve operation of the road networks in their regions. The report is titled "Organizing for Regional Transportation Operations" and is being debuted at the National League of Cities Congress of Cities and Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia, from December 4-8.

The report is a tool for transportation professionals and decision-makers who must rely on improved transportation operations to enhance mobility and safety in their regions. Findings from the report's six case studies demonstrate how a region can benefit when various government agencies organize to work together.

The report focuses on six locations that have undertaken innovative approaches to regional transportation operations, including:

• TRANSCOM in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut
• TransLink in Vancouver, British Columbia
• The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in the San Francisco Bay Area
• The ITS Priority Corridor in Southern California
• TranStar in Houston
• AZTech in Phoenix

The case studies were selected to present a variety of approaches that differ in regional size and characteristics, organizational structure, scope, and geography. They focus primarily on large metropolitan areas with many findings broadly applicable to regions of all sizes. Despite differences among the locations, certain common critical elements emerged including the importance of visionary, influential leadership and the need for a source of funding to support coordinated regional efforts.

The report is a package of studies of the six jurisdictions and is accompanied by an Executive Guide, which gives an overview of key elements affecting the development and long-term sustainability of the operating partnerships.

"Organizing for Regional Operations" is a product of FHWA's National Dialogue on Transportation Operations (http://www.nawgits.com/opdialog/) and was developed with assistance from the Federal Transit Administration and the Institute of Transportation Engineers. Copies can be ordered via E-mail addressed to vince.pearce@fhwa.dot.gov.