As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Southeast Michigan, SEMCOG coordinates transportation planning in the seven-county region which includes Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. SEMCOG is responsible for developing the long-range Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which serves as the guiding framework for developing and managing the regional multimodal transportation system. Projects identified in the RTP are implemented through the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which allocates federal funding to high-priority projects scheduled for construction within the first four years of the RTP. All TIP projects must support and advance the goals and policies adopted by the RTP.

aerial view of highway and bridge

Regional Plans and Programs

SEMCOG develops and implements transportation plans, programs, and data resources to support local governments and transportation agencies to improve the regional transportation system for safer, more efficient, and accessible travel.

Transportation and Mobility Planning Areas

Transportation Data, Maps, and Tools

Access data, interactive maps, and tools from SEMCOG to support planning, analysis, and decision-making across Southeast Michigan communities.

Transportation Funding & Committees

Transportation is vital to every aspect of our economy and personal lives. Highways, transit systems, railroads, and other modes of transportation serve to knit our region together and connect it with the nation and the world. Operating and maintaining a first-class transportation system is very expensive, so funding is always a critical priority. SEMCOG is in the forefront of many aspects of transportation funding, including financial forecasting, researching innovative ways to pay for needed improvements, and ensuring that adequate funding is available for proposed projects.

Transportation Funding

All SEMCOG policy decisions are made by local elected leaders, ensuring that regional policies reflect the interests of member communities. Members serve on one or both of SEMCOG’s policy-making bodies — the General Assembly and the Executive Committee. These bodies act on recommendations developed through SEMCOG’s various engagement methods, including standing committees and task forces described below. We engage regional stakeholders from local governments, the business community, and other special-interest and citizen groups.

SEMCOG Committees

local plans and studies

In addition to developing regional plans in areas such as transportation, the environment, and economic development, SEMCOG also assists on local planning initiatives. In cases where SEMCOG takes a more active role in project management, information is provided on the SEMCOG website.

Downtown Detroit Transportation Study

In the urban core of our region, managing the transportation needs of residents, commuters, businesses, and tourism events is key to regional success. With the rapid development occurring in Downtown Detroit, effective coordination and collaboration of planning among various public and private agencies are essential to maximizing efficiency.

SEMCOG partnered with the City of Detroit and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to study all aspects of transportation in Downtown Detroit including traffic, parking, transit, biking, and walking. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the existing transportation conditions and develop a holistic strategy to manage future transportation demands.

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