The Prioritization and Regional Investment Strategy Model (PRISM) is an initiative led by the Old Colony Planning Council to establish a structured, data-driven framework for prioritizing and advancing regional infrastructure investments. From October 2025 through March 2028, the PRISM initiative follows a structured, three-phase schedule designed to ensure systematic planning, implementation, and evaluation. PRISM’s core objective is to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability in how transportation and capital improvement projects are identified, evaluated, and implemented across the Old Colony region.
Together, these steps establish the foundation for a long-term regional investment model that aligns local goals with state and national infrastructure priorities. A project kick off meeting was held in January 2026.
The meeting discussion focused on alignment of the scope, roles, decision-making, data readiness, risks, and schedule before technical work begins. Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) facilitated the meeting and provided a presentation that highlighted the overall project theme of “Building trust, clarity, and usability into regional decision-making.” Since the kick off meeting, GPI has developed a Draft Communications Plan and has facilitated a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Systems Coordination Meeting.
TOTAL PROJECT COST
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With a total project cost of $1,990,620, this program represents a significant opportunity to modernize how transportation investments are planned, ranked, and communicated—ensuring that public funds are directed toward projects that meet regional needs and long-term objectives.
PRIORITY OBJECTIVES
SAFETY
We prioritize reducing the number and severity of crashes through the Old Colony Safety Management System (OCSMS) and adoption of federal Safety Performance Management Measures (PM1). By tracking key metrics—such as fatalities, serious injuries, and non-motorized crashes—we set data-driven safety targets and implement effective strategies in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies. Emphasizing pedestrian and bicycle safety, along with education initiatives like Safe Routes to School, helps create a safer transportation network for all users.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
We promote a sustainable future by assessing and addressing vulnerabilities in regional transportation infrastructure, conserving energy, and protecting the natural environment. Through collaboration with planning and sustainability partners, we advance strategies to lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce fossil fuel use, and build thriving, resilient communities that enhance quality of life for all.
EQUITY & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
We are committed to inclusive engagement that ensures all residents—especially underrepresented populations—have a voice in regional planning and decision-making. By aligning with the Old Colony Public Participation Plan, we set clear goals for equitable collaboration and transparent, community-driven outcomes.
RESILIENT ECONOMY: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
A resilient economy depends on strong infrastructure, access to jobs, and collaboration across sectors. By supporting business growth, family-wage employment, industry clusters, and small startups, while leveraging the region’s trade and transportation networks, we foster sustainable economic development and community prosperity.
PLANNING FACTORS
Economic Vitality
Safety: Motorized & Non-Motorized Users
Security: Motorized & Non-Motorized Users
Mobility of People & Freight
Protect & Enhance
Enhance Integration & Connectivity
Efficient System Management & Operation
Preservation of Transportation System
Economic Vitality
- A pavement management system is used to develop costs and recommend repair for operation, preservation, and maintenance through a performance-based planning process that prioritizes investments that meet regional performance targets for the State of Good Repair.
- Evaluation criteria from the TIP addresses economic development as well as environmental and air quality effects as it relates to major transportation projects.
- Further integrate regional performance targets for the State of Good Repair within the TIP and LRTP that will integrate competitiveness, productivity and efficiency.
Safety: Motorized & Non-Motorized Users
- OCPC has targeted a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads as well as increasing the safety for motorized and non-motorized users.
- OCPC has chosen to implement statewide performance safety measure targets set by MassDOT that will be furthered in our prioritization process.
Security: Motorized & Non-Motorized Users
- Examine and evaluate threats and disruptions to the transportation networks
- Tasks include:
- Conducting vulnerability analyses on regional transportation facilities and services
- Analyzing transportation networks for redundancies in moving large numbers of people by modeling people and vehicle flows.
- Analyzing transportation networks for emergency route planning and strategic gaps in network
- Addressing transit security including the age of the system, the types of structure comprising the system, and the vulnerabilities of those structures
Mobility of People & Freight
- The prioritization plan will aim to enhance the accessibility and mobility of both people and freight through several key strategies:
- Identification of High-Priority Projects– Focus resources and efforts on initiatives that have the greatest potential to improve accessibility and mobility. These projects may include expanding public transportation networks, improving roadway infrastructure, or implementing innovative technologies to optimize transportation systems.
- Enhance Multi-Modal Solutions– Investing in public transit, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure as well as roadways and freight corridors.
- Safety Improvements- Prioritizing safety-related projects, such as intersection improvements, pedestrian crossings, and traffic calming measures, creating a safer environment for all road users.
- Efficient Allocation of Resources- prioritization process will ensure resources are allocated effectively to projects that offer the greatest benefit in terms of accessibility and mobility. This will involve considering factors such as projected population growth, travel patterns, economic development goals, and environmental impacts.
Protect & Enhance
- Emphasizing sustainable transportation solutions that minimize environmental impacts.
- Investment in projects that reduce vehicle emissions, promote alternative modes of transportation such as walking, cycling, public transit, and support the development of energy efficient transportation technologies.
- Promote consistency between transportation improvements and state and local planning goals for growth, housing, and economic development.
- Aligning transportation investments with land use plans, zoning regulations, and economic development strategies to support sustainable growth patterns, and promote compact mixed-use development.
Enhance Integration & Connectivity
- Prioritize projects that enhance multimodal transportation options, such as expanding public transit networks, improving bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and optimizing roadways to accommodate different modes of transportation.
- Investing in projects that support intermodal connectivity and promoting policies that encourage collaboration between transit agencies, freight operators, and other stakeholders.
- OCPC will prioritize projects that enhance access to freight corridors such as expanding and upgrading roadways, bridges and interchanges to accommodate larger vehicles.
Efficient System Management & Operation
- Investments in technologies and systems that enhance traffic management such as intelligent transportation systems and traffic signal optimization.
- Prioritize the reduction of congression, improve traffic flow, and enhance safety on the roadways in the region.
- Proactive maintenance and preservation of transportation assets; this involves prioritizing projects addressing the maintenance needs of roads, bridges, transit systems and other infrastructure components.
Preservation of Transportation System
- Maintaining current assets of the transportation system to ensure their continued functionality, safety, and longevity. One of the key aspects of preservation is focusing on projects that maintain and repair existing roads, bridges and transit facilities, and other transportation infrastructure. Importantly, these actions are supported by the adoption of the National Highway System (NHS) Bridge and Pavement Conditions (PM2) Performance Measures and Targets.
- Resilience and Reliability
- Infrastructure Investment– Maintain critical transportation infrastructure and transit facilities by investing in resilient design and construction practices.
- Risk Assessment and Planning– Identify vulnerabilities within the transportation network and develop proactive strategies to mitigate risks and enhance reliability.
- Integration of Green Infrastructure- Incorporating green infrastructure solutions to manage stormwater runoff and reduce the environmental impacts of surface transportation.
- Travel and Tourism
- Improve Accessibility– Prioritizing investments that improve accessibility to tourist destinations and attractions.
- Enhancing Multi-Modal Options– Offering diverse transportation services that accommodates the needs of different types of travelers, including tourists who prefer to explore the region on foot, bike, or public transportation.
- Supporting Tourism- modernizing transportation hubs and improving access to key attractions to attract more visitors.
- Marketing and Promotion- Strategies for marketing and promoting the Old Colony region as a tourist destination, highlighting unique attractions, cultural heritage, and recreational opportunities.
- Resilience and Reliability
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
EVER WONDER HOW TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS ARE SELECTED?
The Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) is the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), responsible for helping decide which transportation projects receive federal funding across our region.
To make these decisions more transparent, consistent, and data-driven, OCPC is developing PRISM (Prioritization and Regional Investment Strategy Model). PRISM uses data, community priorities, and regional goals to help identify which projects should be funded first, so everyone can better understand how transportation decisions are made and where public dollars are invested.
Wondering if this affects you? If you live, work, attend school, visit, or travel anywhere within the Old Colony region, your feedback can help shape future transportation investments!
This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.
STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION:
Deputy Director & Transportation Program Manager
(774) 539-5126
