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Transportation Planning

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Along with its role to program and allocate transportation funds and advise the Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency and the Legislature to formulate and evaluate state transportation policies; the Commission has statutory responsibilities in the following transportation planning-related activities:

Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Guidelines

Regional Transportation Plans (RTPs) are prepared by regional agencies to identify a 20-year vision for transportation priorities and investments. Federal and state requirements for the development of RTPs have been in law since the 1970’s, with additional requirements added over the years.

California Government Code Section 14522 requires the Commission to adopt guidelines for the development of RTPs. The RTP Guidelines were first adopted by the Commission in 1978. Since then, the guidelines have been updated as needed.

Commission staff is working in collaboration with Caltrans to update the RTP Guidelines for MPOs and RTPAs. A second public draft of the 2024 RTP Guidelines for MPOs and a first public draft of the 2024 RTP Guidelines for RTPAs are available below. Public comments will be accepted on the drafts through November 6, 2023. Stakeholders may reach out via email to RTPGuidelines@dot.ca.gov to provide feedback or schedule time to meet with staff.

On January 18, 2017, the Commission adopted the 2017 Regional Transportation Plan Guidelines for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and Regional Transportation Planning Agencies (RTPAs). 

Additional background information regarding the RTP Guidelines development process is available on Caltrans Regional Transportation Plan Liaison Branch web page.

California Transportation Plan (CTP) Guidelines

SB 486 (DeSaulnier, 2014) authorized and encouraged the Commission, in cooperation with Caltrans, to prepare guidelines for the development of the CTP. The Commission, in collaboration with Caltrans, established a format, strategy, and time line for the development of CTP Guidelines to clearly outline the federal and state requirements for the plan and to inform preparation of the next CTP. The CTP Guidelines were developed through a transparent public process with input from, and in direct consultation with, staff from Caltrans, the Air Resources Board, and other state and federal agencies as well as a broad coalition of stakeholders including: regional and local governments, the private sector and business community, and social equity and environmental advocates.

The primary purpose of the CTP Guidelines is to provide high-level direction to Caltrans on the development of the next CTP. The CTP Guidelines were developed to identify the federal and state requirements necessary for the preparation of a statewide long-range transportation plan, including Governor’s Executive Orders and other state policies impacting transportation. The CTP Guidelines were initially adopted in 2017 and updated in 2023.

Contact Information

Laura Pennebaker 
Deputy Director Transportation Planning
California Transportation Commission 
Email: laura.pennebaker@catc.ca.gov 
Phone: (916) 837-8164