This document discusses how MPOs have incorporated TSMO projects into the programming phase of transportation investment decisionmaking in metropolitan areas. Based on a sample of practices from MPOs that have emphasized operations strategies in the planning process, this document highlights findings on:

• Sources of funding that are being used for TSMO strategies.
• Methods for prioritizing strategies for funding.
• Staff resources devoted to TSMO-related activities.
• Initial lessons learned about effective practices.

This report includes case studies of practices related to programming TSMO strategies from nine MPOs around the country.

The project examines the investment decision making for Transportation Systems Management Organization (TSMO) projects in the Portland metropolitan area. In addition to providing an overview of funding practices researchers provided examples of how evaluation data can be used to justify region-wide and corridor-level ITS investments.

In the Portland area a regional Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) serves approximately two million residents in three counties. Funding for operations is primarily derived from TSMO funds with supplemental funding provided by state and local sources.

The following cost data excerpted from the source report provided high level estimates of near term expenditures (1-5 years) for ITS.