If a community plans one way to grow its land (commercial, residential, preservation), what will be the effects on the transportation system?  What if they choose something different?  What if they choose to invest in just major roadway capacity projects versus system efficiency and transit projects? 

Scenario planning is an analytical tool that can help transportation professionals prepare for what lies ahead. Scenario planning provides a framework for developing a shared vision for the future by analyzing various forces (e.g., health, transportation, economic, environmental, land use, etc.) that affect growth. Scenario planning, when done for a metropolitan area, tests various future alternatives that meet state or community needs.   Scenario planning can be used in a range of situations, from a small section of a city all the way to a statewide analysis.