This research examines the development and application of a cooperative transportation planning process between the Navy and local adjoining communities in Tidewater Virginia. Navy participation in passenger transportation is investigated from the perspective of ongoing programs in environmental protection, land-use planning, and energy conservation. SRI recommends 5 principal steps to initiate a cooperative transportation process: understanding the Navy-Community Transportation problems; developing a cooperative planning process, preparation and implementation of a transportation action plan; and technical assistance during implementation. On the basis of this approach, the Tidewater case-in-point demonstration project reveals a number of the key elements that contribute to initiating a successful transportation process. These include: early involvement of both the key stakeholders in the community and the navy; formation of an ad hoc advisory committee for initiating the study and establishing overall objectives; development of a tool for action (the 5-year intermodal transportation action paln); and finally, official endorsement of the program by both the community and the Navy.