Decision Lens adds approvals workflow for STIP and TIP management

Decision Lens has launched a new approvals workflow that lets transportation agencies build, fund, amend and defend STIP and TIP plans in one platform. The release also adds in-app mapping, configurable decision frameworks, and custom dashboards for MPOs and DOTs.

Why it matters: - Transportation agencies can now manage the full STIP and TIP lifecycle in one system instead of splitting amendments and sign-offs across spreadsheets, email threads and separate approval chains. - The new workflow is designed to reduce handoff friction, preserve auditability, and keep plan changes tied to the same platform used for prioritization and programming. - Decision Lens says the update gives agencies more control over their own planning process and reduces reliance on vendor tickets, consultants and outside tools.

What happened: - Decision Lens announced a new Approvals workflow on September 15, 2026. - The workflow brings STIP and TIP amendment handling into the same platform agencies already use to prioritize and program transportation investments. - The release also adds in-app mapping, user-configurable decision frameworks, and custom visualizations and dashboards. - The company says the capabilities are available now.

The details: - Proposed changes are queued before they are applied. - Named approvers review those changes inside the platform. - The system records a full audit trail showing who changed what and why. - Accepted changes are pushed to every connected plan. - Agencies can build a STIP or TIP, fund it, amend it and defend it in one environment. - Planners can work with programs on a map and define project boundaries with points, lines or polygons without leaving the platform. - Program owners can adjust criteria, weights and terminology themselves, with updates appearing immediately. - Leadership can build decision-ready maps, dashboards and custom visualizations inside the platform for board meetings. - Decision Lens says those views do not need to be rebuilt in PowerPoint or Excel. - The platform is designed for MPOs and DOTs. - Named transportation customers include TxDOT, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission and ArDOT. - A demo is available at transportation improvement plan demo. - Decision Lens describes itself as an AI-driven decision intelligence platform for government resource allocation and portfolio planning. - The company says it has operated since 2005 and serves defense, intelligence, federal civilian, state and local government customers.

Between the lines: - The update shifts Decision Lens from a planning tool into a more complete workflow system for transportation investment decisions. - Putting approvals, mapping and dashboards in the same environment can make it easier for agencies to defend decisions publicly and internally. - The emphasis on user control suggests Decision Lens is competing on flexibility as much as on analytics. - Dr. Alison Denton, SVP, State & Local, said agencies want to do more in one place and rely less on spreadsheets, consultants and vendor tickets. - Denton also said the new approvals capability means the agency owns the capability inside the platform.

What's next: - Transportation agencies can start using the new workflow now. - Decision Lens is positioning the platform for broader use in MPO and DOT planning, programming and funding allocation. - Agencies interested in the product can book a demo through the company’s transportation improvement plan page.

The bottom line: - Decision Lens is trying to close the gap between planning and approval, giving agencies one place to manage transportation investment decisions from start to finish.