Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Why update a Transportation System Plan?

A TSP provides a comprehensive, multimodal picture of how the existing and future transportation system meets the needs of its users. While the State Transportation Planning Rule (TPR) requires most Oregon jurisdictions to adopt a TSP, there are many other good reasons to employ this critical long-range planning tool.

Plot a clear course for your community

People waiting at bus stop in front of business
Show how your transportation goals meet the goals and needs of planned land uses
Bicyclist and roller skater approaching car at intersection
Determine where planned transportation improvements should be located and what right-of-way needs to be protected
Two cars crashing
Provide rationale for making prudent transportation investments and land use decisions
Three new buses
Identify and advocate for projects, programs, and services the community can fund (financially constrained plan) and would like to fund (financially unconstrained plan), within the planning horizon

Work toward shared goals

A TSP tells others how transportation policies and investments support broader community and regional goals. Being able to see where these goals overlap with those of other agencies creates valuable opportunities for collaboration.

Venn diagram showing overlapping goals for a local TSP and other local agency plans, including a Parks Plan, a Safety Plan and a Transit Plan.  

Attract and secure funds

Not only does a TSP provide a necessary linkage to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program to secure funding, it also provides the policy foundation and documentation of needs to support transportation funding decisions and requests.

TSP encompassing moneybags representing funding sources including Oregon STIP, Grants, Proposed Fees, and Tax Initiatives  

Getting results

Read how TSP updates have helped communities fund system investments, coordinate with other jurisdictions and agencies, and deliver projects.

The Wilsonville TSP Update, funded through the Oregon Transportation and Growth Management (TGM) program, helped the City of Wilsonville pursue funding for projects on the state system.

As part of its TGM-funded TSP update, the City of Ashland examined a road diet on North Main Street (OR 99) that would reduce the number of lanes from four to three, providing room for bicycle lanes. Because North Main Street is an alternative route to I-5,ODOT's Motor Carrier Transportation Division was consulted on the proposal. After extensive consultations between the city and state and a major public involvement effort, the city proceeded with a 1-year pilot project to restripe North Main Street. After the 1-year pilot period, the Ashland City Council voted to make the road diet permanent. It should be noted that a road diet on an ODOT facility would most likely be a component of a corridor refinement plan that would be incorporated into a TSP, since a more detailed analysis and public engagement are typically needed for this type of project.

For more information on plan implementation,​ see the excerpt from TGM Tangibles Volume II.

The City of Newberg was awarded an Oregon TGM grant to prepare a pedestrian and bicycle plan, with an emphasis on identifying a critical core network of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant infrastructure.  Rather than wait until funding is secured to construct improvements along an entire corridor, the plan identifies spot improvements that could strategically and affordably remove barriers along a route more quickly and for a fraction of the cost. This plan resulted in an amendment to the city's TSP that updated bicycle and pedestrian elements to include the critical routes and improvements.​

For more information on plan implementation, see the excerpt from TGM Tangibles Volume II.

  We want to hear from you! Submit TSP Guidelines Feedback
Close Close