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Regulations and Guidelines

Federal Requirements

California Transportation Commission Guidelines

  • TAMP Guidelines

State Requirements

Federal Requirements

23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 515 (Transportation Asset Management Plan Final Rule) establishes the processes that the state's Department of Transportations must use to develop a Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP).

Each state is required to develop a risk-based TAMP for the National Highway System (NHS) to improve or preserve the condition of the assets and the performance of the system in accordance with Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) & 1106(a), codified as 23 U.S.C. 119 (e) and (t).

Under these requirements, states are required to address pavements and bridges in their asset management plans, but are encouraged to include all infrastructure within the transportation system right-of-way. To ensure consistency with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) specifications, the TAMP shall, at a minimum, include the following components:

  • A summary listing of the States assets
  • A description of the condition of the assets identified in section (a)
  • Objectives and measures for asset management
  • Performance gap identification
  • Life cycle cost and risk management analysis*

*With respect to life cycle cost planning, the Commission and Caltrans will assess the efficacy of the investment strategies outlined in the TAMP from a network perspective, and not a project-based perspective.

  • A financial plan and
  • Investment strategies.

For National Highway System (NHS) assets not owned by the state's Department of Transportation (DOT), federal regulations require that the state DOT work collaboratively and cooperatively with other NHS owner(s) to obtain the data needed for the plan.

23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 490 (Pavement and Bridge Final Rule) was established to implement MAP-21 and FAST Act performance management requirements.

Federal Deadline:

The initial TAMP must be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) no later than April 30, 2018.

Other Federal Links:

California Transportation Commission TAMP Guidelines

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) adopted TAMP Guidelines (revised June 29, 2017) to implement the provisions of SB 486 and SB 1, and expanded the State Highway System asset classes beyond the federal requirements.

State Requirements

Senate Bill (SB) 486, Section 6, Statutes of 2014, (changed California Government Code 14526) requires that Caltrans in consultation with the California Transportation Commission (CTC) prepare a robust asset management plan to guide the selection of projects in the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP).

  • CTC may define focus areas for analysis and evaluation related to our TAMP.
  • The CTC shall adopt targets and performance measures for the TAMP.
  • The TAMP is defined as a document assessing the health and condition of the state highway system.
  • Projects shall be limited to capital improvements relative to maintenance, safety and rehabilitation of state highways and bridges that do not add new traffic lanes to the system.
  • Define the information to be included in the SHOPP review process.

Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Senate Bill 1, Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017) (SB1), provides the first significant, stable, and on-going increase in state transportation funding in more than two decades. SB1 provides funding and created new programs. Specific to the implementation of the TAMP, the legislative intent of SB 1 includes but is not limited to the following:

  • Improving the condition of the state's road system will have a positive impact on the economy as it lowers the transportation costs of doing business, reduces congestion impacts for employees, and protects property values in the state.
  • Well-maintained roads benefit all users, not just drivers, roads are used for all modes of transport, whether motor vehicles, transit, bicycles, or pedestrians.
  • Well-maintained roads additionally provide significant health benefits and prevent injuries and death due to crashes caused by poorly maintained infrastructure.
  • Relative to this account, SB 1 states that 'it is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Transportation and local governments are held accountable for the efficient investment of public funds to maintain the public highways, streets, and roads, and are accountable to the people through performance goals that are tracked and reported.
  • SB 1 further states that it is the intent of the Legislature that Caltrans meet the following preliminary performance outcomes for additional state highway investments by the end of 2027, in accordance with applicable state and federal standards:
  • Not less than 98 percent of pavement on the state highway system in good or fair condition.
  • Not less than 90 percent level of service achieved for maintenance of potholes, spalls, and cracks.
  • Not less than 90 percent of culverts in good or fair condition.
  • Not less than 90 percent of the transportation management system units in good condition.
  • Fix not less than an additional 500 bridges.

Caltrans recommends targets and performance measures that reflect federal and state goals and objectives, where applicable, through a policy lens that prioritizes high-traffic routes and corridors and identifies opportunities to maximize state funds with matching funds. The TAMP will provide the framework to achieve California's performance targets.