Briefing for MPO Officials Planning 101 HRTPO June 16, 2010 FHWA
Objectives of this Workshop • Describe the functions of an empowered Metropolitan Planning Organization • Understand the roles of an effective policy board member • Identify the major planning partners • Review the transportation planning process • Discuss development and approval of the major planning products
MPO Basics
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
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 Legislation that has influenced MPOs 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
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
Example MPO Structure
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)
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
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
What Do Board Members Need from Staff ? • Reliable and timely information in an understandable format • Information includes options and analysis of their consequences – Costs – Policy – Benefits – Environmental consequences
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
Formal Agreements • MPO, State and public transportation operators cooperatively determine their mutual responsibilities in carrying out the metropolitan planning process – Information sharing – Financial projections – Annual list of obligated projects – Air Quality Conformity demonstration » 23 CFR 450.314
The MPO as the Forum
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
The People in the Process Regional Agencies Local States Government The User/ Tribal Special Interest Governments Public Groups Federal Private Government Sector Legal System
Key Decisions and Products
What are the Metropolitan Planning Products Required by Law and Regulation? • 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)
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
The Transportation Plan To be eligible for Federal funds, a project must be consistent with the approved transportation plan
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
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
What is Programming and Why Do We Do It? • 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
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) • 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
Requirements for the TIP… • 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)
Characteristics of a Successful Programming Process • Early consensus on planning goals • Effective communication among technical and policy leaders • Continuous public involvement • Qualitative as well as quantitative criteria
Federal Requirements for Public Participation • MPOs must prepare a public participation plan • Plan must be developed in consultation with interested parties Adequate notice Early and continuing involvement Opportunity to comment Explicit consideration and response to input
Objectives of Public Involvement • 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
Annual List of Obligated Projects • 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
Document Summary: Metro and Statewide
Federal Aid Fundamentals
Federal Transportation Funding • Federal Aid is provided to the state in several ways and categories: – Core Programs – Other allocated funding, i.e.. LTAP – “Earmarked funding” such as High Priority Projects – Emergency Relief
Amount of funding is based on formulas • Each state is different (some differences include:) – Vehicle miles traveled on the Interstate – Lane miles of federal-aid highways – Contributions to the Highway Trust Fund • Final dollar amounts are subject to Congressional obligation limitation • Revenue Adjusted Budget Authority
Future Funding is subject to change • SAFETEA-LU has expired • Administration & Congressional priorities may change • Future motor fuel revenues may vary
Major Policy and Planning Issues
Why do Financial Planning? • Ensure realistic plans and programs • Identify funding shortfalls and establish strategies to overcome shortfalls • Meet Federal requirements
Fiscal Constraints and the Transportation Plan • Include a financial plan demonstrating consistency with available and projected revenues • Identify proposed new revenue sources and strategies to ensure their availability • Revenue sources and expenditures need to balance out
Fiscal Constraint and the TIP • Be financially constrained by year • Demonstrate which projects can be implemented with current revenue sources • Identify strategies for ensuring the availability of new funding sources • In non-attainment/maintenance areas, only projects with available or committed funding can appear in first 2 years of TIP
Recommend
More recommend
