Advancing Regional Transportation Operations: A National Workshop, December 10–12, 2008, Washington, D.C.

Seventy-four leaders in transportation systems management and operations convened in Washington, D.C., December 10–12, 2008, to identify ways to advance regional transportation operations and improve regional transportation system performance. Participants came from a variety of organizations including metropolitan planning organizations, state transportation departments, state police, transit operators, local government, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and research and consulting agencies. The workshop was organized around three aspects of regional transportation operations: (a) answering the who, what, and how of regional operations, (b) making regional operations a reality, and (c) monitoring performance to gauge success. Through panel discussions, breakout groups, and conversation circles, workshop participants identified effective approaches for advancing regional transportation operations for each of these focus areas. Participants also discussed actions at the national level for advancing regional operations, including research, technical support, and legislative changes. This circular is a summary of the workshop as prepared by two workshop rapporteurs.