Each year, MPOs are required to prepare a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), in cooperation with member agencies, to describe all metropolitan transportation and transportation-related air quality planning activities anticipated within the region during the year.

Since the UPWP essentially serves as the budget for SJTPO, it describes the planning activities to be performed with funds provided to MPOs by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The UPWP is an integrated document that includes the work of member agencies, consultants, and the work done directly by SJTPO Central Staff.