Strategic Planning and Management in State Departments of Transportation

This article examines current strategic planning and management practices in state transportation departments based on information solicited through a survey and follow up telephone interviews. Several of these departments have developed comprehensive strategic management processes that drive decisions as they move into the future, but remaining challenges include the need for increased selectivity concerning strategic goals and objectives, the relation of agency strategic plans to transportation system plans, building ownership for strategic agendas, and institutionalizing strategic planning processes in order to survive transitions in top level administrations.