Maryland Department of Transportation

Long-Range Planning 

2050 Maryland Transportation Plan (2050 MTP)

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is updating the 2050 Maryland Transportation (2050 MTP), Maryland’s long-range transportation plan, guiding the state’s transportation investments. The MTP was last updated in January 2019, and in order to meet both federal and state requirements must be updated by January of 2024.

The update of the plan includes a review and assessment of existing MDOT modal plans, metropolitan planning organization plans, peer state plans, federal priorities, Maryland state priorities, and public input from the recent MDOT surveys on transportation priorities. The draft vision, guiding principles, and goals will be modified and adapted through the plan process through useful feedback from our stakeholders, Maryland’s residents and visitors. We thank everyone who continues to take time to provide input.

MDOT Draft Vision Graphic

What is the Maryland Transportation Plan and why is it important?

Every five years, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) develops a 20-year mission for transportation in the state known as the Maryland Transportation Plan (MTP). The MTP outlines the State’s overarching transportation priorities and creates a larger context for transportation decision-making. The plan embodies MDOT’s mission:

MDOT Mission

MDOT’s mission serves as the foundation for the 2050 MTP. The proposed vision will be realized through the guiding principles, goals, objectives, performance measures, and strategies.

Draft Proposed Vision:

Provide a multimodal transportation system that facilitates the safe, convenient, affordable, and efficient movement of people, goods, and services using innovative, equitable, and sustainable practices.

  • The guiding principles serve as overarching, cross cutting ideas that MDOT strives for through each of the goals.
  • The goals are broad statements for MDOT to work toward for the future.
  • The objectives are actionable items that align the guiding principles with each goal.
  • The performance measures will be developed through the Attainment Report Advisory Committee in order to help MDOT track the agency’s progress in achieving the long-term goals.
  • The strategies are policies, processes, projects, and programs that MDOT and its Transportation Business Units (TBUs) will implement over time to help make progress toward the goals.

Draft Proposed Guiding Principles:

  • Equity - Integrate equity considerations in all aspects of transportation planning, programming, and operational processes.
  • Resilience - Improve the transportation system’s ability to provide reliable service throughout natural weather events and man-made threats.
  • Preservation - Preserve the condition of the existing transportation system assets to provide safe and efficient movement.
  • Innovation - Explore new ideas and technologies to transform the transportation system.
  • Customer Focus - Maintain an emphasis on improving the experience of the community we serve.

Draft Proposed Goals:

  • Safety and Security - Protect the safety and security of Maryland transportation system users.
  • System Quality - Deliver a reliable, high-quality transportation system that meets the needs of our system users.
  • Environmental Protection - Minimize environmental impacts when delivering transportation projects.
  • Management - Manage MDOT efficiently and responsibly to deliver the greatest impact for our transportation investments.

An Advisory Committee is convened each time the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) develops a new long-range transportation plan to advise the department on the selection of appropriate performance measures and targets. Info about the 2040 MTP Attainment Report Advisory Committee can be found here. A new 2050 MTP Attainment Report Advisory Committee is under development.

These are the elements of the strategic framework for the 2050 MTP. Public outreach and feedback will be sought this summer on the draft 2050 MTP. To learn more about the state’s long-range transportation plan and upcoming milestone dates, please continue to visit this site.

You are also welcome to share your comments by email at: MDOTMTP@mdot.maryland.gov.

Additional Resources