Program Planning for TSMO

Length: Approximately 8-10 hours

Description

To be effectively implemented, Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) must be recognized and structured as a core function of a transportation agency – more than simply a strategy or ad hoc set of activities, but as a cohesive program that is vital to the mission. In this course, you will define why TSMO is important to your organization, describe the key elements of TSMO program planning, and identify TSMO planning activities that help to develop and sustain the TSMO mission for your agency.

The audience includes state and local/city transportation agency personnel involved in traffic management, maintenance management, safety management and other operations functions for the transportation system.

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

Explain why transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) program planning is valuable to your agency
Describe the three key elements of TSMO program planning
Identify TSMO program planning activities that help to develop and sustain the TSMO mission for your transportation agency

Note: We recommend that you take the CITE mini-module CMM: Assessing Agency Capabilities and the TSMO 101: What is This TSMO Thing Anyway? course in conjunction with this course.

Outline (click to display)

MODULE 1. Introduction to Program Planning for TSMO

Lesson 1. Why is TSMO Program Planning Important?

Traditional TSMO
Integrated TSMO
Making TSMO Part of the Mission
A Primer for Program Planning

Lesson 2. Why Do You Need to Plan for TSMO?

Improve the Focus on TSMO
What’s Involved?
Creating a TSMO Mission
Sustaining and Institutionalizing the Mission
Supporting Effective Program Delivery
Unique Needs and Issues
Your TSMO Program Plan

Lesson 3. The Growth and Current Practice of TSMO Program Planning

Traditional DOT Focus
TSMO Until Now
The Evolution of TSMO Program Planning
SHRP 2 Reliability Research & the CMM
Relationships Among Program, Processes, & Institutional Framework
NCHRP 20-07/345 Research on Planning for TSMO
States and MPOs Leading the Way
Best Practice Example: Iowa TSMO Plan
NCHRP 20-07/365: TSMO Program Planning Framework

MODULE 2. Key Elements of Program Planning for TSMO

Lesson 1. Strategic Elements of Program Planning for TSMO

Setting Clear Direction and Common Understanding
Developing the Business Case
Communicating the Value of TSMO
Defining the Business Case
Provide a Justification for TSMO
Develop a TSMO Vision and Program Mission
TSMO Program Vision and Mission: MD SHA
Develop Strategic Goals and Performance Objectives
SMART Objectives
Identify Strategic Focus Areas/Priority Functions
Geographic Focus Areas
Functional Areas
Internal Capabilities

Lesson 2. Programmatic Elements of Program Planning for TSMO

Organize, Staff, and Develop Processes to Advance TSMO
Define Organizational Structure
Develop Programmatic Objectives
Identify Staff and Workforce Development Needs
TSMO Program Resource Management
Example: Prioritizing and Funding TSMO Strategies
Develop Business Processes and Management Strategies
Organizational and Administrative Processes
Procurement and Contract Management
Performance Management, Quality Management & Continuous Improvement
Data Management
Decision Support Systems
Research & Development
Promoting a TSMO Culture
Internal Collaboration
Example: Colorado DOT Integration of TSMO Evaluations into PDP
Collaboration with External Partners
Example: Oregon DOT Transportation System Plan Guide
Communications, Marketing, and Outreach with System Users
SHRP 2 L01 Business Process Primer

Lesson 3. Tactical Elements of Program Planning for TSMO

Identify Priority Services, Activities, and Projects
Iowa DOT: TSMO Program Plan
Example: Identifying Prioritized Services, Activities, and Projects
Business Process Frameworks for Transportation Operations
Define Implementation Policies and Guidelines to Support Service Functions
Develop an Investment Plan or Financial Plan
Example: VDOT NOVA Smart Travel Program
Develop Annual Action Plans and Deployment
Tracking Progress: Performance Assessment

MODULE 3. Advancing Program Planning for TSMO for your Agency

Lesson 1. Integrating TSMO into Agency Processes

Integrating TSMO
Adjustments to Agency Goals
Current Agency Transportation Planning
Planning Factor Requirements
TSMO Planning Focus
Performance-based Planning Requirements
Performance-based Planning and Programming Framework
An Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Approach to Planning for Operations
Alternative Evaluation Approaches
Federal Planning Requirements
Budgeting for TSMO
Funding Pots & Trade-offs
Incorporating TSMO into the PDP

Lesson 2. Getting Started with TSMO Program Planning

TSMO Program Plan: Who Is Responsible?
TSMO Program Plan: Expertise
Getting Started: Initial Activities
Program Plan Development
Working with Stakeholders
Fostering Cultural Change
Outreach
Incremental Planning

Contributor(s)

Steve Lockwood, Dorothy Parnian
Federal Highway Administration

Feedback

Being an employee at an MPO in the Transportation Operations Management unit, this course directly relates to my every day work. It will allow me to better work with stakeholders and inform them of the benefits of a TSMO plan and allow me to discuss the various strategies within.”
- Paul Carafides, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

As a consultant, I will be able to more effectively assist the agencies that I am working on, implement TSMO concepts and strategies.
- Michael Ruelle, Kimley-Horn and Associates

I will be able to bring this information to my agency in hopes of furthering the mission of my agency and help begin the process of drafting a plan.
- Eddie Watkins, Missouri Dept of Transportation