Congestion Management Process

The Congestion Management Process (CMP) is a systematic process in Transportation Management Areas (TMAs) that provides for safe and effective integrated management and operation of the multimodal transportation system. The process is based on a cooperatively developed metropolitan-wide strategy of new and existing transportation facilities.

Congestion is the level at which transportation performance is no longer acceptable due to traffic interference resulting in decreased speeds and increased travel times. As the region continues to experience dynamic population and job growth, congestion remains a primary focus of the TPB.

Major Components of the CMP

The CMP requires a systematic approach. The TPB's CMP is part of the regional transportation plan and includes the following:

• Methods to monitor and evaluate system performance
• Objectives and performance measures
• Data collection and analysis
• Identification and evaluation of anticipated performance and expected benefits of Congestion Management strategies, including demand management, traffic operational improvements, public transportation improvements, ITS technologies, and additional system capacity, (where necessary)
• Assessment of the effectiveness of previously implemented strategies

Proposed single-occupant vehicle (SOV) capacity-increasing projects must show that congestion management strategies have been considered. In addition, the regional transportation plan will consider the results of the CMP.