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MPO 101

MPO 101. Arkansas Transportation Planning Conference May 18, 2011 FHWA – Jim Thorne. Objectives. Describe the functions of a Metropolitan Planning Organization Understand the roles of a policy board member Review the transportation planning process

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MPO 101

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  1. MPO 101 Arkansas Transportation Planning Conference May 18, 2011 FHWA – Jim Thorne

  2. Objectives • Describe the functions of a Metropolitan Planning Organization • Understand the roles of a policy board member • Review the transportation planning process • Discuss development and approval of the major planning products

  3. What is a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)? “The policy board of an organization created and designated to carry out the metropolitan transportation planning process.” Source: 23 CFR Part 450.104

  4. What is transportation planning? Transportation planningprovides the information, tools, and public involvement needed for improving transportation system performance Transportation planning is a continuous process that requires monitoring of the system’s performance and condition

  5. AMetropolitan Planning Organization… • Has the authority of Federal law • Is a representative group of local stakeholders • Leads the transportation planning process for the metropolitan area • Is the region’s policymaking organization responsible for prioritizing transportation initiatives • Carries out the metro transportation planning process in cooperation with the State DOT(s) and transit operators

  6. All “urbanized areas” are required to have an MPO or be part of an MPO

  7. MPOs within Arkansas

  8. What do MPOs Do? • Carry out the metropolitan transportation planning process in cooperation with the State DOT(s) and transit operators • Determine responsibilities in concert with the State DOT(s) and transit operators • Cooperatively develop, update, and approve: • Unified Planning Work Program • Transportation Plan • Transportation Improvement Program • Have a proactive Public Participation Process

  9. The Three C’s A Comprehensive, Cooperative, and Continuing process is required for initiatives to be eligible for Federal transportation funding

  10. MPO Composition • Policy Board • Local Elected and Appointed Officials • Major Modes of Transportation • State Officials • Citizens • Tribal Governments • MPO Staff • Technical Committee (Sub-committees as needed) • Citizens Committee

  11. Example MPO Structure

  12. Who sits on the MPO? • The MPO Policy Body is identified in the documents that designate the MPO • Membership is determined by agreement among the Governor(s) and units of general purpose local government that represent 75% of the metropolitan area population • Membership is inclusive. (Outside entities can be members of the MPO Policy Board)

  13. Typical Policy Board Members • Required in TMAs/encouraged everywhere: • Local elected officials • Transportation operators • Appropriate State officials • Other possible members: • Representatives from private and not-for-profit sectors • General public

  14. Role of the Board • Develop a regional vision • Establish regional policy • Adopt UPWP, Transportation Plan, and TIP • Adopt Conformity Determinations for Plan and TIP (in AQ non-attainment and maintenance areas) • Ensure that the decisions reflect the concerns of residents of the region

  15. In making decisions, the Board should consider... • Public comments and community values • Long-term vision for the region • Effect on system operations • Impacts on the environment and the economy • Comparison with alternative options • Cost effectiveness and short- and long-term availability of funding • Federal, State, and local regulations and plans.

  16. Role of the Technical Advisory Committee • Oversee work efforts outlined in the annual UPWP • Review/coordinate UPWP efforts by MPO staff and partners • Provide analysis and recommendations to Board

  17. Role of the Staff • Provide information & technical support to Board Members • Prepare documents • Foster interagency coordination • Facilitate input and feedback from the public • Manage the planning process

  18. The MPO must work with others • Actively seek the participation of all relevant agencies • Actively seek input from the general public • Cooperate with the State and public transit providers and coordinate with other transportation providers

  19. Working Beyond Jurisdictions • MPO is the forum for discussion • Place to air issues • Find solutions that benefit all jurisdictions/regions • MPOs working with adjoining regions • Consistency of projects • Multi-regional projects

  20. The People in the Process The Public Regional Agencies States Local Government Tribal Governments User/ Special Interest Groups Federal Government Private Sector Legal System

  21. Key Decisions and Products

  22. Reflect The “3C” planning process The eight SAFETEA-LU planning factors Develop A Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Public Participation process/plan (PPP) Financial Planning Produce and maintain A Long-Range Transportation Plan Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Basic requirements

  23. Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Metropolitan Transportation Plan Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Public Participation Plan Annual List of Obligated Projects Air Quality Conformity Analysis & Finding Congestion Management Process(in TMAs) What are the Metropolitan Planning Products Required by Law and Regulation?

  24. Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) • Lists the metropolitan area’s 1-2 year program of planning studies • Identifies sources of funding, schedules and responsible agencies • Coordinates the planning undertaken by all participants in the regional process • Describes all Federally-funded studies • Lays out MPOs Strategic Plan

  25. Transportation planning and programming Planning: • Developing a vision • Creating policies and strategies to support the vision • Long-term horizon • Programming: • Prioritizing proposed initiatives • Matching initiatives with available funds • Short-term horizon The public must be involved in both

  26. The Transportation Plan To be eligible for Federal funds, a project must be consistent with the approved transportation plan

  27. SAFETEA-LU Planning Factors The MPO is required to consider: • Economic vitality of the region • Safety of the transportation system • Security of the transportation system • Accessibility and mobility options • Environmental protection, energy conservation, and quality of life • Integration and connectivity of the system • Efficient system management and operations • System preservation

  28. The Transportation Plan… • Documents conclusions and decisions of the planning process • Includes long term and short term policies, strategies, and actions • Covers capital improvements and operations • Addresses movement of people and goods • Contains an environmental discussion • Is financially constrained by reasonably available resources

  29. Requirements for the Transportation Plan… • At least a 20-year horizon at time of adoption • An update every 5 years – 4 years for non-attainment and maintenance areas • Multi-modal coverage • Fiscal constraint – Year of Expenditure (YOE) • Early and continuous public involvement • Consideration of the 8 Planning Factors • Conformity with air quality requirements

  30. System Operations Implementation of Strategies Other Sources for Project Ideas Short- (3-5 year) Range Program Economic Development Alternative Improvement Strategies Goals and Objectives Performance Measures Evaluation Vision Long- Range Plan Mobility and Accessibility Environmental Quality Policies Operations strategies Infrastructure projects Studies Regulations Education and awareness Enforcement Financing strategies Partnerships Collaborative undertakings Analysis Methods Data Collaboration with stakeholders and the public Transportation Planning Process

  31. The transportation system is more than roadways

  32. Programming is identifying top priority projects for funding The total cost of worthy projects always exceeds available funding – hence the need to set priorities The TIP and STIP are products of the programming process What is Programming and Why Do We Do It?

  33. Is a means of allocating limited transportation funds to projects and programs Is a list of transportation projects to be implemented within the short-term (no less than 4 years) Includes nearly all surface transportation projects proposed for federal funding Includes all regionally significant projects – regardless of funding source in non-attainment and maintenance areas Identifies funding for each project by programmatic source Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

  34. Covers at least 4 years Is updated at least every 4 years Is consistent with approved Transportation Plan Can be amended during its life span (subject to approval by Governor and inclusion in STIP) Conforms to air quality requirements Is financially constrained by year (YOE) Is approved by MPO and Governor Becomes part of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Requirements for the TIP…

  35. The MPO planning process METRO LRTP TIP METRO INITIATIVES SELECTED, FUNDED, IMPLEMENTED

  36. The Statewide planning process FHWA/FTA REVIEW AND APPROVAL STATE LRTP RELEASE OF FEDERAL FUNDS STIP $ METRO LRTP STATE INITIATIVES SELECTED, FUNDED, & IMPLEMENTED TIP METRO INITIATIVES SELECTED, FUNDED, & IMPLEMENTED $

  37. MPOs must prepare a public participation plan Plan must be developed in consultation with interested parties Federal Requirements for Public Participation • Adequate notice • Early and continuing involvement • Opportunity to comment • Explicit consideration and response to input

  38. Provide timely information about transportation issues and processes Seek public review and comment Respond to public comments Provide access to key decisions Continuing involvement of the public in developing plans and TIPs Objectives of Public Involvement

  39. Air Quality Conformity? • Link between air quality planning and transportation planning • Analytical process to ensure that transportation plans, programs, and projects meet the SIP’s emissions budgets for mobile sources • Pass/fail test on meeting the SIP’s emissions budgets

  40. Submit by 90 calendar days after end of the program year Developed cooperatively by the MPO, State and transit operators Published and available for review in accordance with PPP for the TIP Annual List of Obligated Projects

  41. Document Summary: Metro and Statewide

  42. Effective planning pays off • Modal connectivity to provide access, mobility, and ease in travel for all citizens • Quality communities • Environmental protection • Regional economic development • Safer, more secure transportation systems • Equitable and efficient use of scarce financial resources

  43. Where you can get more information • The Transportation Planning Capacity Building Program –www.planning.dot.gov • FHWA Division Office – • Gary DalPorto - Gary.DalPorto@dot.gov 501-324-6441 • Amy Heflin Amy.Heflin@dot.gov 501-324-6435 • David Blakeney David.Blakeney@dot.gov 501-324-6438 • Valera McDaniel Valera.McDaniel@dot.gov 501-324-5326

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