A TIP is a short-range plan that identifies all federally funded transportation-related projects programmed for state and local jurisdictions – such as the Illinois Department of Transportation, Greater Peoria Mass Transit District, local counties, and numerous local municipalities. The TIP is a fiscally constrained four-year program outlining the most immediate implementation priorities for the Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA). The MPA is the jurisdictional area of the MPO comprised of the urbanized area, as defined by the US Census Bureau, and the adjacent area likely to be urbanized in the next 20 years. 

The purpose of the publication is to coordinate the use of federal funds for transportation improvements with state and local jurisdictions and ensure projects are consistent with the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), responsive to local and regional needs, and reasonable. Tri-County develops the TIP annually in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and local jurisdictions within the MPA.