The planning research digest contains a library of research summaries indexed in an intuitive, user-friendly manner. You have a few options for finding planning resources in the library:
- Use text search in the header of every page,
- Use the library search filters,
- Browse through the icon-based visual snapshots of each resource.
It’s also possible to use a combination of all three methods to find what you are looking for. A tutorial video on this page provides an overview. Each method is also described in detail below and in our PDF user guide.
Text-Based Search
There is a search box for text-based search in the header of every page. Just enter the search terms you’re interested in and the site will load relevant resources. Please note that there are some limitations to the text search capabilities. For example, the search term ‘bicycle’ returns a much larger set of results than its near-synonym, ‘bike.’ In addition, both the library and icon browser pages include text-based search fields that you can use in combination with the search filter controls to narrow down your results.
Search Filters
Every research summary in the site is indexed according to its research theme, transportation mode, applicable organization type, planning scope, community type, detailed planning subject, and resource type.
Both the library and icon browser pages include search filters that you can use to refine and focus the search results along these dimensions.
Icon Browser
The Icon Browser page presents a visual snapshot of each resource built from icons corresponding to its research theme, transportation mode, applicable organization type, and resource type (or format).
The key to the icons on the website homepage describes each potential value in more detail.
The icon browser page contains the same search filters as the library to enable both faceted and text-based search.
You can submit a resource by completing the resource submission form. There, you can provide a link and detailed description of the resource. If the resource is not available online or accessible via a link, you can simply add a note and provide the resource directly to us at: submissions@planningdigest.com. A tutorial video on this page provides more information on this process.
You can stay up-to-date with the latest additions to the planning research digest by joining our monthly email newsletter using the form in the footer of each page. The newsletter summarizes the new resources added to the site over the past month. We promise never to spam you and will limit our updates to one per month!
This section contains a full list of the tags and search filters that are used in the Planning Research Digest, with definitions where applicable.
| Research Themes | Definition |
| Advancing New Technologies | The development and use of new technologies in transportation systems |
| Environment and Health | Examining the public health and environmental impacts of transportation |
| Financial Strategies | Financial strategies and techniques for transportation planning |
| Freight and Logistics | Studying the movement of goods or commodities |
| Innovative Data Analysis | Data analysis techniques for transportation planning |
| Performance-Based Planning | Examining the use of performance-based planning methods and their outcomes |
| Planning for Pedestrians, Bikes, and Transit | Planning practices for pedestrians, bikes and transit |
| Public Involvement | Exploring methods of public involvement in transportation planning processes |
| Scenario Planning | Examining the use of scenario planning methods and their outcomes |
| Traffic Operations | The maintenance and advancement of traffic operation systems |
| Transportation Asset Management | Processes of upgrading, maintaining, and expanding transportation assets throughout their life-cycles |
| Travel Demand Modeling | Modeling travel demand |
|
Transportation Modes |
Definition |
|
Freight |
The movement of goods or commodities |
|
Personal |
The movement of people |
|
Automobile |
Transportation by automobile |
|
Bicycle |
Transportation by bicycle |
|
Motorcycle |
Transportation by motorcycle |
|
Pedestrian |
Transportation on foot |
|
Transit |
Passenger transportation services |
|
Organization Type |
Definition |
|
Association |
Membership organizations |
|
City |
A large urban area |
|
Council of Governments |
Regional governing bodies |
|
County |
Administrative subdivision of a state |
|
Department of Transportation |
Governmental agency focused on transportation |
|
Metropolitan/Regional Planning Organization |
A federally funded transportation policy-making organization, comprised of local government representatives and transportation authorities
|
|
Planning Commission |
A local government board that regulates the creation and enforcement of local zoning designations |
|
Transit Agency |
A public agency that operates and maintains passenger transportation services |
|
Resource Type |
Definition |
|
Book |
|
|
Conference Proceedings |
Documentation from a conference, symposium, or similar event |
|
Research Article |
Article from an academic or professional journal, e.g. |
|
Research Report |
Report published by a governmental body or other organization (e.g. FHWA, NAS, etc.) |
|
Synthesis Report |
|
|
Tool or Application |
A digital program or other online tool |
|
Website/Audio/Video |
Digital audio and/or video content |
|
Working Paper |
|
|
Community Type |
|
Planning Scope |
|
City |
|
International |
|
· Large City |
|
Regional or Metro Area |
|
· Medium City |
|
· Border Community |
|
· Small City |
|
State Level |
|
Suburb |
|
· Multi-State |
|
Rural |
|
· Single State |
|
Planning Subject (Detailed) |
|
Planning Subject (Detailed) |
|
Evaluation and Assessment |
|
· Mixed-Use Development |
|
· Analysis |
|
· Redevelopment |
|
· Deficiencies |
|
· Sustainable Development |
|
· Evaluation |
|
· Transit-Oriented Development |
|
· Needs Assessment |
|
· Improvements |
|
· Performance Management |
|
· Modernization |
|
· Ratings |
|
· No Build |
|
· Technology Assessment |
|
· Programming |
|
Facility or Land Use |
|
· Resource Allocation |
|
· Land Use Planning |
|
· Scheduling |
|
· City Planning |
|
Planning Methods |
|
· Master Planning |
|
· Decision Making |
|
· Regional Planning |
|
· Forecasting |
|
· Transportation Planning |
|
· Long-Range Planning |
|
· Airport Planning |
|
· Network Analysis |
|
· Highway Planning |
|
· Short-Range Planning |
|
· Sustainable Transportation |
|
· Sketch Planning |
|
· Transportation System Management |
|
· Strategic Planning |
|
Plan Implementation |
|
· Systems Planning |
|
· Beautification |
|
|
|
· Development |
|
|
|
· Joint Development |
|
|
This website was developed through NCHRP Project 08-36/139: Planning Research Digests. It was created with input and support from TRB Committee ADA 30 on Transportation Planning for Small- and Medium-Sized Communities. Upon the conclusion of the research effort site will be maintained on an ongoing basis by ADA 30 and AASHTO, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. For administrative questions, please contact the site administrators at contact@planningdigest.com.
The ADA30 Tools of the Trade Conference website has information on the Committee. The site includes a mission statement which reads, in part: Transportation Research Board Committee (ADA30) on Planning in Small and Medium sized Communities comprises a diverse group of around 30 professionals interested in improving transportation planning in communities across the United States . The committee organizes the “Tools of the Trade” Conference at varying locations every other year.
ADA30 was created on February 1, 1975 with the original title of “Transportation Planning Needs and Requirements: Small and Medium Size Urban Areas.” The original objective of our committee, which remains relevant today, was to provide support for planning, development, and multimodal transportation facilities in small and medium-sized communities across the United States.
The committee meets at the annual Transportation Research Board meeting each January. Since 1984, the committee also meets during the summer of each year in order to complete all the work we need to do. Core responsibilities of the committee are to collect, review, and publish journal publications as well as sponsors presentation sessions/ workshops at the TRB annual meeting. The committee often submits ideas for, sponsors, and serves on panels for NCHRP projects.