The intent of the Congestion Management Process is to protect the region’s investment in, and improve the effectiveness of, the existing and future transportation networks. This is achieved by using the Congestion Management Process to provide decision-makers with information about transportation system performance and alternative strategies to reduce congestion, and enhance the mobility of persons and goods. Recommendations on strategies considered most appropriate for congested locations in the Area will be developed during later tasks in the Study. 

A Congestion Management Process is a continuous cycle of transportation planning activities designed to provide decision-makers with better information about transportation system performance and the effectiveness of alternative strategies to deal with congestion. A Congestion Management Process may be considered as consisting of four main components:

1. Measurement and identification of congestion;
2. Matrix of congestion mitigation strategies;
3. Monitoring of effectiveness after implementation; 
4. An orderly evaluation process.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Act a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires that congestion relief be considered in the selection of transportation improvement projects, and that all urbanized areas with populations in excess of 200,000 (termed Transportation Management Areas [TMAs]) develop and implement a Congestion Management Process.

STUDY TASKS

Activities undertaken during the development of the Congestion Management Procress.   The study is broken down into four tasks, as follows:

1. Identify New Congested Corridors
2. Define Congestion Mitigation Strategies.
3. Development of Congestion Related Performance Measures Data Collection and Monitoring.
4. Summary of Findings and Recommendations.