Transportation improvement program

A transportation improvement program (TIP) is a United States federally mandated requirement ( (j)) for all metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). The TIP, also known as a short-range plan, lists all transportation projects in an MPO's metropolitan planning area that seek federal transportation funding within at least a four-year horizon.

The TIP is complementary to the long-range transportation plan (LRTP), or regional transportation plan (RTP), that plans on a twenty or thirty year horizon.

Development of the TIP
MPOs must consider the following when developing a TIP:
 * 1) The MPO should involve its member governments, the State, and local public transit operators.
 * 2) The TIP should contain transportation projects consistent with the RTP.
 * 3) Investment priorities from the RTP should be reflected in the TIP.
 * 4) The public should be given an opportunity to comment on the TIP and modifications made to the TIP.
 * 5) Reasonable funding estimates should accompany projects included in the TIP.
 * 6) The TIP must be approved not only by the MPO but also the Governor.

Relationship to Statewide Planning
The TIPs of various MPOs within a state feed directly into the state transportation improvement program (STIP). Also a federal requirement ( (g)), each STIP is approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in conjunction with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).