Advanced OR and AI Methods in Transportation A TRANSPORTATION PLAN STRATEGY FOR TURKEY Murat AKAD 1 , Murat ERGUN 2 , Hakan GULER 3 , Yasar VITOSOGLU 4 Abstract: The main aim of this paper is to evaluation of a transportation plan strategy for Turkey. For this reason, the objectives, principles and policies are explained at the beginning of the paper. Then, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the transportation plan strategy are clarified using SWOT analysis. At the end of the study, the general evaluation for transportation plan strategy is made. 1. Introduction In 2003, the Ministry of Transport in Turkey demanded a transportation master plan study for Turkey [1]. A group of scientists from different universities, and from different disciplines contributed in an extensive study led by the Transportation Division of the Technical University of Istanbul. This study, which sought to establish a transportation master plan strategy, lasted approximately one year. It was planned to serve as a base for a transportation master plan that will be made in the near future. 2. The objectives, principles and policies The objectives, principles and policies for transportation in general in Turkey are determined within the scope of technical and economical rules of the transportation system, taking the general problems into consideration. 1 Istanbul Technical University, Civil Eng. Faculty, 34469 Maslak Đstanbul Turkey, muratakad@ins.itu.edu.tr 2 Istanbul Technical University, Civil Engineering Faculty, 34469 Maslak Đstanbul Turkey, mergun@ins.itu.edu.tr 3 Istanbul Technical University, Civil Engineering Faculty, 34469 Maslak Đstanbul Turkey, hguler@itu.edu.tr 4 Istanbul Technical University, Civil Engineering Faculty, 34469 Maslak Đstanbul Turkey, vitasoglu@itu.edu.tr