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The 12-Year Program Process

From Planning to Projects

Intro car

Welcome to PA’s Transportation Program Infographic—From Planning to Projects! It depicts our official mid range planning tool—the 12-Year Program Process. Travel with me and few friends as we learn more about the Planning and Programming involved in the TYP.

What is the 12-Year Program?

The 12-Year Program (TYP) is a collaborative mid-range planning tool, required under Pennsylvania law, that consists of multimodal transportation improvements spanning a 12-year period. Multimodal means that the TYP includes all means of transportation, including highways, bridges, public transit, aviation, rail, freight, and active transportation such as bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The TYP is reviewed and updated every two years.

How to view the process

We're ready to go through the 12-Year Program (TYP) process step by step, so snap on your seat belt and enjoy the ride. After each stop use the 'Continue' button to move ahead. 

You can choose to go to a specific step at any time by selecting the ‘Go To’ button. This option parks the car and gives you control of your journey.

The 12-Year Program Process The 12-Year Program, or TYP, Process is similiar to traveling down a roadway with stops along the way. There are ten steps in the process that moves through transportation planning to construction projects.

The 12-Year Program Process: From Planning to Projects

1. Report State Transportation Commission

Cartoon woman standing with report cover

The State Transportation Commission (STC) releases a Transportation Performance Report that contains information about how PA’s transportation system performed over the most recent two-year period. The STC encourages the public to review this report before they seek public input and feedback on local and statewide transportation priorities.

2. Listen MPOs & RPOs

Cartoon person standing with a circle of public outreach activity asking 'Tell Us What You Think'. Activities include Website, Email blasts, Press Release, Social media, Online Survey and Online Public Meeting.

The STC, PennDOT, and Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations (MPOs/RPOs) request input from the public on transportation priorities and needs. The public input helps identify projects that reflect community and regional goals.

3. Share Information State Transportation Commission

Cartoon people standing and sitting near a desk and a computer with the monitoring displaying the State Transportation Commission website.

The STC and PennDOT share the information gathered with the MPOs and RPOs to help guide the update of each regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Pennsylvania’s MPOs and RPOs update their TIPs every two years during the 12-Year Program (TYP) update process.

4. Plan MPOs & RPOs

Cartoon person with sign that reads, 'Limited spending (money bag symbol) means planning & prioritizing.

MPOs and RPOs compare the transportation needs identified by local stakeholders and the public with expected funding and regional and statewide goals for infrastructure in assembling a draft TIP.

5. Submit TIPs MPOs & RPOs

Cartoon characters passing on a document labeled 'Draft TIP'.

Each MPO and RPO submits a draft TIP to PennDOT.

6. PennDOT Review PennDOT

A busy desk showing the review process, a speech buble with map, calendar, money icons, a pair of glasses, paper with graphs and a calculator.

PennDOT reviews the projects included on the individual draft TIPs to ensure that they meet statewide transportation priorities, fit within budget projections, and conform to air quality standards.

7. Endorse MPOs & RPOs

Cartoon character with map of Pennsylvania illustrating that TIPs are regional (based on Planning Partner) and the STIP is statewide.

Each MPO and RPO endorses their draft TIP after holding a 30-day public comment period. PennDOT incorporates the projects in the MPO and RPO TIPs in the draft Statewide Transportation  Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP makes up the first four years of the TYP.

8. Draft TYP PennDOT

Cartoon characters standing with a copy of the 2021 12-Year Program marked, 'Final Draft'

PennDOT prepares the draft TYP for the STC’s review and adoption.

9. Federal Review Federal

Cartoon character holding the logos of the FEderal Highway Administration/Federal Transit Administration and the US Environmental Projection Agency.

PennDOT submits the draft STIP to the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, and the US Environmental Protection Agency for review and approval.

10. Programmed Projects PennDOT

Cartoon characters in different stages of project completion: surveying, planning, and construction.

PennDOT advances the projects in the STIP for design and construction. With the completion of each project, the improved infrastructure helps to enhance the mobility and safety of Pennsylvania’s transportation system.

Thanks for joining us

We’ve finished our journey, but if you want to learn more about the public feedback that helps shape the 12-Year Program (TYP) and the STC, go to TalkPaTransportation.com/get-involved/transportation-survey or contact us with your comments or questions at
RA-PennDOTSTC@pa.gov.