The goal of a Corridor System Management Plan (CSMP) is to define how a travel corridor is performing, understand why it is performing that way, and recommend system management strategies to address problems within the context of a long-range planning vision. Guided by the system management pyramid, a CSMP seeks to incorporate operational analysis into more traditional transportation planning processes at the corridor level. This is accomplished by conducting comprehensive performance assessments, analysis, and evaluations leading to recommending system management strategies for the corridor.

Each CSMP is developed in concert with, and in consideration of, State, local and regional goals, including, but not limited to, local and regional mobility, transportation system connectivity, regional blueprint planning, context-sensitive transportation solutions, and encouraging the use of alternative transportation modes.