A multi-modal approach to economic development in the metropolitan area transportation planning process

This white paper provides a review of research and current practices of integrating economic development goals in metropolitan area transportation planning. The information presented is intended to serve as a technical resource for transportation planners, clarifying essential economic development concepts and how peer practitioners can address these concepts in the metropolitan area transportation planning process. The first section summarizes research on essential economic development attributes and analytic methods drawn from a broad range of sources, including empirical and analytical research. This summary provides the context for the second section, which is a review of several best practice examples chosen to demonstrate how metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are successfully incorporating economic development goals in planning and decision-making.