Mid-term Needs and Priorities
Transportation needs for the next 10 years are called “mid-term needs.” VTrans identifies and prioritizes these needs, then addresses them through projects, policies, and programs.
Projects that help address these needs may become eligible for state funding under the SMART SCALE program. They may also receive priority consideration in VDOT’s Revenue Sharing program.
Locations that rank as “Priority 1 or 2” (top priorities) in VTrans become eligible for study funding under the Project Pipeline program. For more details, see our technical guide.
Mid-term Resources
Webmap
This webmap shows the latest transportation needs and priority locations.Policy Guide
The policy guide lists how the transportation needs are identified.Technical Guide
The technical guide outlines the data sources and steps for executing the established policy.
VTrans Travel Markets
VTrans identifies mid-term needs and priority locations for these three travel markets:
- Corridors of Statewide Significance (CoSS)
- Regional Networks (RN)
- Urban Development Areas (UDAs)
This is done in-line with Virginia State Code § 33.2-353. Each travel market is associated with unique characteristics, system users, and travel patterns.
In addition to the three markets, VTrans evaluates all public roadways and identifies safety needs.
Number
12
Definition
An integrated, multimodal network of transportation facilities that connects major centers of activity within and through the Commonwealth, and promotes the movement of people and goods essential to the economic prosperity of the state. These corridors include highways, rail lines, seaports, and airport facilities.
Purpose
Inter-regional (travel between regions) and interstate travel.
Established
December 17, 2009 - 11 CoSS established as part of VTrans2035
May 18, 2011 - 12th corridor added
Characteristics
- Multimodal - must involve multiple modes of travel or must be an extended freight corridor.
- Connectivity - must connect regions, states, and/or major activity centers.
- High volume - must involve a high volume of travel.
- Function - must provide a unique statewide function and/or address statewide goals.
Number
15
Definition
Based on designated Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) within the Commonwealth. If an MPO boundary includes only a portion of a county, the entire county will be included in the needs area.
Purpose
Intra-regional travel (travel within a region)
Established
December 9, 2015
Characteristics
- At least 50,000 people across the space of at least two jurisdictions
- Per 2017 American Community Survey (ACS) Five-year Estimate, 87% of Virginia’s population is in the 15 RNs.
Number
230, including pending areas (as of November 2019)
Definition
Designated growth areas based on local initiatives pursuant to § 15.2-2223.1
Purpose
To the extent possible, to direct federal, state and local transportation, housing, water and sewer facility, economic development, and other public infrastructure funding or efficient transportation infrastructure.
Established
Ongoing, per local government designation in Comprehensive Plan.
UDA Factsheet
(LINK) Industrial and Economic Development Areas (IEDAs)
Number
535 (as of November 2019)
Definition
Locally-identified industrial and economic development sites pursuant to § 2.2-2238 and consistent with Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)’s Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP).
Purpose
To the extent possible, direct federal, state and local transportation, housing, water and sewer facilities, economic development, and other public infrastructure funding for efficient transportation infrastructure.
Established
Ongoing
Definition
Safety analysis for the entire roadway network in the Commonwealth.
Purpose
Improve roadway safety per Board’s Goals.
Established
2015
Characteristics
Risk and evidence-based safety assessment.
How Are Transportation Needs Identified?
VTrans identifies mid-term needs to advance the CTB's goals and objectives over the next 10 years. For each goal, VTrans uses one or more performance measures to convey a transportation system’s performance or condition. Stakeholders are consulted before any policy changes to identify and prioritize needs.
Please refer to the Mid-term Technical Guide for more details.
How Are Transportation Needs Prioritized?
After needs are identified, locations with more urgent needs are set to be evaluated first.
The policy outlines the following steps:
The first step is creating guidelines for grouping needs by category.
This is done by location:
Statewide Prioritization: Needs¹ within the Corridors of Statewide Significance (CoSS) and Safety Travel Markets².
Construction District Prioritization: Needs¹ within the Corridors of Statewide Significance (CoSS), Regional Networks (RN), Safety, and UDA (IEDA Access) Travel Markets².
Notes
- Needs categories vary by Travel Market and include a wide range of multimodal needs such as congestion, transit access, pedestrian access, etc.
- There are four Travel Markets, each with a unique set of characteristics. Please refer to the VTrans Travel Markets page for a more detailed description.
Establish priorities within each category.
This step uses two criteria:
Criteria 1: Severity of the Need
Criteria 2: Magnitude (Number of users, vehicles, etc. affected)
Take the categories from Step 2 and assign numerical weights to them. Combine them to set Statewide and Construction District Priority Locations.
Adjust for influencing factors. These influencing factors help set priority:
- Co-located transportation infrastructure repair, rehabilitation, or replacement needs.
- Exposure to the projected sea-level rise, storm surge, and historical riverine/inland flooding
- Co-located Economically Distressed Communities.
Last updated: August 31, 2026
