Scenario Planning Program

What is Scenario Planning?

Scenario planning is an approach that can help transportation professionals prepare for the future. Scenario planning provides a framework for developing a shared vision for the future by analyzing various factors (such as transportation, health, economic, environmental, and land use issues) that affect regions or communities. Scenario planning, which can be conducted at the statewide level, for metropolitan regions, or at the neighborhood scale, tests various future alternatives that meet state, community, or regional needs. A defining characteristic of successful public sector scenario planning is that it actively involves the public, business community, and elected officials on a broad scale, educating them about interactions between multiple trends and trade-offs, and incorporating their values and feedback into future plans.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) see scenario planning as an enhancement of, not a replacement for, the traditional transportation planning process. The approach enables communities and transportation agencies to better prepare for the future and make more effective decisions in the present.

FHWA maintains a website that provides detailed information on scenario planning resources, tools, and techniques, and also highlights innovative examples from around the country. The website is available at:
www.fhwa.dot.gov/Planning/scenplan/index.htm

Transportation, Land Use, and Climate Change Scenario Planning Project - FHWA is currently seeking to partner with a MPO on this project and is requesting letters of interest, due May 30, 2013. The solicitation is available here. The project will inform transportation and land use decision-making in a selected study area by using scenario planning to analyze strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change impacts.

1. advance climate analysis in scenario planning;
2. develop a transferrable process;
3. build partnerships; and
4. impact decision-making.

Is Scenario Planning Training or Technical Assistance Available?

FHWA and FTA are updating USDOT's approach to providing scenario planning assistance to state Departments of Transportation (DOTs), metropolitan/regional planning organizations (M/RPOs), and other transportation decision-makers. We encourage you to monitor this website for forthcoming opportunities to apply for federal resources to support your agency's scenario planning efforts.

Who Can Apply for Scenario Planning Training?

The Transportation Planning Capacity Building Scenario Planning Program encourages many different types of agencies to learn more about scenario planning through customized webinars and on-site workshops, including:

• Councils of Government (COGs)
• Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)
• Other transportation decisionmakers
• Regional Planning Organizations (RPOs)
• State Departments of Transportation (DOTs)
• Transit Agencies
• Tribal Governments

If your agency does not appear in the list above, call 617-494-2310 or email a TPCB Scenario Planning Program Manager (contacts listed below) to determine if your agency is eligible to apply.

Contact Information

For more information on the TPCB Scenario Planning Program or to learn more about scenario planning training opportunities, contact:

• Fred Bowers of FHWA at Frederick.Bowers@dot.gov (202-366-2374)
• Rae Keasler of FHWA at Rae.Keasler@dot.gov (202-366-0329)
• Jeff Price of FTA at Jeff.Price@dot.gov (202-366-0843)
• Alisa Fine of USDOT Volpe Center at Alisa.Fine@dot.gov (617-494-2310)