A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a policy-making organization made up of representatives from local government and transportation authorities. The Federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1973 required the formation of an MPO for any urbanized area with a population greater than 50,000.
MPO's were created in order to ensure that existing and future expenditures for transportation projects and programs were based on a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive (3-C) planning process.
This planning process includes an analysis of alternatives to meet projected future demands, and for providing a safe and efficient transportation system that meets mobility while not creating adverse impacts to the environment. Federal funding for transportation projects and programs are channeled through this planning process. Following are the core functions of an MPO.
Five Core
Functions: |
- Establish regional decision-making setting.
Establish and
manage a fair and impartial setting for effective regional
decision-making.
- Evaluate alternatives.
Evaluate
transportation alternatives, scaled to the size and complexity
of the region, to the nature of its transportation issues, and
to the realistically available options. (Included in the UPWP)
- Maintain a Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).
Develop
and update a long-range plan covering a 20-year horizon
that fosters: 1) mobility and access for people and goods; 2)
efficient system performance and preservation; and 3) quality of
life.
- Develop a Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP).
Develop a
program based on the long-range plan designed to serve the
area's goals, using spending, regulating, operating, management
and financial tools.
- Involve the
public. Involve the general public and all significantly affected
subgroups in the four essential functions listed above.
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