The objective of this synthesis was to document current state departments of transportation practices related to coordinating planning and programming requirements with metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), as well as any common challenges with fulfilling regulatory requirements. Federal transportation legislation requires formalized coordination between state departments of transportation (DOTs) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in transportation planning and programming processes. DOTs have varying practices in implementing the 3C planning process (continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative) with their MPO partners. 

This synthesis gathered information through a literature review, a survey of DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs. Five case examples provide additional information on practices for state DOT and MPO coordination in planning and programming.

Jeff Kramer and Tia Boyd of the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida collected and synthesized the information and wrote the report. The members of the topic panel are acknowledged on page iv. This synthesis is an immediately useful document that records practices that were acceptable within the limitations of the knowledge available at the time of its preparation.

The synthesis report can be found at https://doi.org/10.17226/27781.