Sumter Area Transportation Study

What is SUATS?

The Sumter Area Transportation Study (SUATS) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) responsible for transportation planning for the urbanized area of Sumter County, South Carolina.

The SUATS “study area” includes a 220 square mile portion of Sumter County, South Carolina.  This study area represents a 20-year growth projection of the urban area as defined by the U.S. Census.

The purpose of SUATS as MPO for the Sumter area is to establish and maintain a continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative transportation planning process.  This process promotes the development of a safe, effective, efficient and environmentally sensitive multi-modal transportation system for moving people and goods.

SUATS receives $5.0 million from the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) and SCDOT each year to allocate to priority transportation improvement projects, and is responsible for tracking federally assisted and regionally significant transportation projects in the Sumter area.

The MPO is made up of Planning Staff, a Policy Committee, and a Study Team. The Staff provides assistance and recommendations to the Policy Committee with SCDOT and FHWA support. The Policy Committee is a 16 member body composed of representatives from Sumter City Council, County Council, Legislation Delegation, Planning Commission, Economic Development Board, County Transportation Committee, Shaw AFB, Santee-Wateree RTA, and SCDOT Commission.