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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Transportation Planning in Pennsylvania

    The Office of Planning leads many multimodal programs and initiatives and serves as a valuable resource to the Commonwealth's 24 Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations, the State Transportation Commission, the Transportation Advisory Committee, local governments, and the general public.

    PennDOT's Planning Mission

    To provide planning, business intelligence, analytics, and technical assistance to ensure innovative solutions, sound stewardship, and collaborative, transparent decisions. PennDOT's Planning Deputate is comprised of three bureaus:

    PennDOT’s Center for Program Development and Management (Program Center) is part of PennDOT’s Planning Deputate. The Program Center:

    • Develops and manages the statewide transportation plans, programs, and projects in a fiscally responsible and timely manner
    • Coordinates a continuing, cooperative, comprehensive planning process with county and regional agencies
    • Supports the State Transportation Commission (STC) and the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) with management and administrative tasks

    The Program Center is organized under PennDOT’s Office of Planning, directed by Deputy Secretary Kristin Mulkerin.

    • Innovative transportation projects through PennDOT Capital Plan screening and unsolicited proposals
    • Agreements with the private sector to participate in the delivery of transportation through alternative funding sources
    • The advancement of new initiatives and programs

    More information on the P3 Office

    • Big data and visualization tools
    • New products research
    • Geographic Information Systems services and products
    • Transportation planning

    More Information on the Bureau of Planning and Research

    How Transportation Planning Works in PA

    PennDOT, the State Transportation Commission, and the Transportation Advisory Committee use a variety of tools including programs, plans, and evaluations to complete the transportation planning process.

    • PLAN
      Set policies, goals, and vision.
    • Program
      Select projects and assign funding
    • Evaluate
      Review performance of transportation system
    • Participate
      Get involved with transportation planning

    Transportation Plans

    Current plans and shaping Pennsylvania's future transportation needs.

    Programs and Funding

    Funding assistance available for various transportation initiatives.

    Planning Resources

    Traffic data, Pennsylvania maps, and a variety of resources for traveling in the state of Pennsylvania.

    Transportation Studies

    Various research studies PennDOT has conducted, taken part in, or contributed to.

    Additional Planning Information

    Public Participation FAQs

    You can suggest a transportation project during the 12-Year Program public comment period every two years. View a map of transportation issues from the last public comment period. You can also reach out to your local Metropolitan or Rural Planning Organization to suggest a transportation project.

    PennDOT reviews and considers each submitted comment before finalizing transportation plans and programs. Your comments are kept as official project documentation.

    You can help shape your local transportation facilities and the future of Pennsylvania’s transportation system. Your comments are also carefully considered before the update of any plan or program. You can get involved by:

    • Participating in an upcoming event. LINK TO EVENT CALENDAR SEARCH HUB ONCE CREATED
    • Attending a public meeting. LINK TO ONLINE PUBLIC MEETING PAGE ONCE CREATED
    • Taking the transportation survey. LINK TO TRANSPORTATION SURVEY PAGE ONCE CREATED
    • Exploring local opportunities.

    ACT 120 of 1970 established the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the State Transportation Commission, and the Transportation Advisory Committee and their roles in the transportation system.

    The following plans and programs are required by the federal government to receive federal funding for transportation:

    Pennsylvania State Law, Act 120 of 1970, as amended, requires PennDOT to prepare, update, and submit the 12-Program every two years.

    All of Pennsylvania’s transportation plans and programs work together to determine future transportation projects based on needs and available funds.