In 1962, Congress passed a bill requiring all urban areas containing more than 50,000 people to begin conducting "continuing, comprehensive, cooperative" transportation planning processes.  A detailed study of the region's transportation needs was conducted between 1965 and 1968 and a plan was developed.  It is this plan on which the Charleston Area Transportation Study (CHATS) is based.

In 1977, Governor James Edwards appointed the BCD Council of Governments to perform the planning and programming functions of CHATS, in cooperation with the State Department of Transportation (SCDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

CHATS currently serves 800 square miles comprised of the tri-county region's most urbanized areas.  Generally, the study area contains of all the land expected to be urbanized within the next 20 years.  It now consists of portions of all three counties in the BCD Region. Click here to download the CHATS Study Area map. This includes:

• Summerville & surrounding areas

• Goose Creek

• Hanahan

• Daniel Island

• North Charleston

• Charleston

• All land between Mt. Pleasant & Wadmalaw Island

The SCDOT oversees all road improvements for the remainder of the region.  CHATS is governed by a 47-member board representing governmental and transportation-related organizations from throughout its coverage area.  For a complete list of the organizations represented on the CHATS Policy Committee, click here.  To download the CHATS Brochure, BCDCOG Transportation Planning and you...click here.

What does CHATS do?

• Provides a forum in which local representatives can cooperatively decide the future of regional transportation issues.

• Chooses the specific road and intersection projects, transit facilities and services, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities that will be funded through the Federal ISTEA Program.

• Analyzes existing transportation needs and evaluates them using prescribed formulas.

• Establishes long-range goals for overall transportation development.

• Coordinates transportation improvements for modes other than automobiles, such as bicycle, transit and pedestrian facilities.

• Recruits public participation in the programming and planning process through advertisements, news releases and public hearings.

Citizens are encouraged to take part in the regional transportation planning process.  One of the most direct ways to do so is by participating in any of the CHATS Policy Committee's several standing advisory committees.

Public Information Concerning Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended

The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its transit services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination under Title VI, you may file a written complaint with the BCDCOG, 1362 McMillan Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405, or by phone at 843.529.0400, TTY 1-800-735-8583, or by e-mail on this website under Contact Us.