User travel time is the most used MOE for more traditional capacity-related transportation improvements as well as TSMO projects. User travel time savings refers to the change in the sum of all person hours of travel (PHT) resulting from the implementation of a TSMO project. However, this MOE is a measure of the average, recurring travel time. Many TSMO projects target reducing travel times impacted by nonrecurring factors, such as incidents or construction activity. Because of this, using only this measurement may result in underestimating the benefits of a TSMO project.

Travel time can include time spent inside and/or outside of a vehicle, depending on the mode choice the analysis considers, such as a transit or active transportation alternative. Different monetary values of travel time can also be assigned, depending upon the nature of travel in question. For example, on-the-clock freight vehicle travel time can be assigned a higher monetary value than passenger car leisure travel time.