The TOPS Committee held a TCRP Strategic Planning Workshop in June 1993, facilitated by Kathy Stein-Hudson of Howard/Stein-Hudson, Inc. The Committee developed a TCRP Mission Statement and established program goals. Discussion included the transit research environment, stakeholders, TCRP strengths and weaknesses, TCRP procedures, and research priorities. The key elements of a strategic plan were completed; TCRP staff was directed to do more work in the area of research priorities, program evaluation, and program procedures. The TOPS Committee revisited the strategic plan in June 1994, and the final strategic plan was presented to the TOPS Committee in June 1995. The strategic plan is included in the TCRP Reference Book, a compilation of important program documents.

The TOPS Committee reviews program issues periodically, including the strategic plan. Changes in direction or emphasis will be documented as changes to the Strategic Plan section of the TCRP Reference Book.

Status: The TCRP Strategic Plan has been used since June 1995 (1) in problem statement solicitation and (2) by the screening panels in recommending research topics to the TOPS Committee.