The plan identifies and analyzes transportation needs of the metropolitan region and creates a framework for project priorities.

They don't have political, electoral or jurisdictional power whatsoever, so citizens living in a metropolitan region do not elect representatives for them.

For a given metropolitan region, only intersections along freeways, arterials and some major roads are included.

In 2011 the metropolitan region had an estimated population of 3.74 million.

With state funding, the original campus expanded, and other campuses were thereafter established throughout the metropolitan region.