Building equitable and safe transportation (best) initiative: reimagining project prioritization in central ohio

The Federal Highway Administration awarded Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission $1.4 million on March 19, 2026, under the Prioritization Process Pilot Program (CFDA 20.262) to develop the Building Equitable and Safe Transportation (BEST) Initiative, which establishes data-driven project prioritization frameworks for regional transportation planning in central Ohio.

The BEST Initiative reimagines project prioritization by creating a publicly accessible, transparent process for ranking and selecting projects for inclusion in short-range and long-range transportation plans. The prioritization framework integrates existing transportation program components and supports projects that improve safety, climate change and sustainability, equity, and economic strength, aligned with DOT's strategic goals.

Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, a metropolitan planning organization headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, serves an 11-county region including Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Knox, Licking, Logan, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, and Union Counties. The award runs through March 31, 2028, with place of performance in Ohio.