Advancing Transportation Systems Management and Operations Through Scenario Planning

The intent of this primer is to inform planners, operators, and other transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) partners on the potential use of scenario planning to advance TSMO. It builds upon the long standing scenario planning guidance that continues to be advanced by the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA’s) Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty. The primer includes an explanation of the “why” behind the use of scenario planning in transportation and presents hypothetical examples to prompt thinking about the “when” and the “how” scenario planning might be used for TSMO. This includes discussions about how to apply scenario planning at multiple geographic scales and in support of several TSMO-focused planning activities, such as developing work zone management or statewide freight mobility plans. While this primer does not provide detailed guidance on how to conduct scenario planning for a specific TSMO effort, it does offer a deeper understanding of scenario planning opportunities and a framework that readers can adapt to their specific needs and use as a guiding tool as they embark upon scenario planning to enhance their TSMO planning and programming decisions.