Traffic congestion is an everyday fact of life, and it’s getting worse every day. A Congestion Management Process (CMP) – formerly known as a Congestion Management System (CMS) is a process for collecting data and identifying congested major transportation arterials and areas with intent of identifying and implementing appropriate congestion mitigation measures.

The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century of 1998 (TEA-21) required Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) in Transportation Management Areas (TMAs) to develop and implement a CMS in each state, and in each metropolitan area with a population of 200,000 or more. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users of 2005 (SAFETEA-LU) reaffirms the Federal requirements established in ISTEA and continued in TEA-21 for CMS. SAFETEA-LU retains the structure established by ISTEA, requiring that Congestion Management be part of the metropolitan transportation planning process for TMAs. Under SAFETEA-LU this is called a Congestion Management Process or CMP. The CMP is "a systematic process for managing congestion that provides information on transportation system performance and on alternative strategies to alleviate congestion and enhance the mobility of persons and goods to levels that meet state and local needs.”

The PSRC CMP is a component of the Destination 2030 transportation planning process and focuses on corridors with existing or anticipated congestion.

The intent of the CMP is to protect the region's investment in, and improve effectiveness of, the existing and future transportation networks. This is achieved by using the CMP to provide decision makers with information about transportation system performance and alternative strategies to reduce congestion, and enhance the mobility of persons and goods.

The CMP also represents a significant step toward interagency and inter-jurisdictional coordination in the implementation of CMP mitigation strategies and achieving air quality goals. The PSRC has the responsibility for developing and maintaining the CMP in cooperation with the WSDOT and local jurisdictions.

An updated work plan for the Congestion Management Process is currently being developed. When completed and approved, it will be available on this web site.