The decision to develop a transportation master plan for a school or university is often is a gradual process determined by changes that might have seemed insignificant in the beginning, but have combined to create problems that no longer can be ignored. Many circumstances can bring to light the need for a transportation master plan. In some instances, uncoordinated development of a campus has resulted in a sprawling effect that makes it difficult or hazardous to move from one point to another. The need to add new space and the question of where to situate buildings can prompt administrators to take a fresh look at the entire campus layout. A serious traffic accident may compel a school to alter traffic patterns to create a safer environment. Most often, however, the determination to formulate a comprehensive transportation plan is prompted by circumstances that have been developing gradually, such as increasing traffic volume, growing congestion, inadequate parking and other quality-of-life issues. A transportation plan is an element of an overall master plan for a campus, and the two must be treated as functions of one another. A new transportation system can significantly alter the efficiency of a campus layout and the manner in which a campus will be used. A master plan, both for traffic and for an entire campus, is about providing direction for an institution. It is not intended to function as a blueprint, but as a living document flexible enough to accommodate changes resulting from new technology or the evolution of a school's educational mission.