About
In the latter half of the 20th Century, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) were established and structured to accomplish the prevailing planning tasks of that period. Since then, federal legislation, regulations, and technological innovations have increased the complexity of MPO activities and tasks. As a result, MPO leaders across the country struggle to maximize the planning capacity and efficiency of their organizations. The purpose of this research report is to help those MPO leaders to evaluate their staffing and organizational structures in light of their current and anticipated responsibilities, budget, and policy environment by summarizing the structures of MPOs across the country.
An MPO is an organization created to carry out the transportation planning process within a metropolitan area. The MPO is the Policy Board, designated by the Governor, that carries out a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive (3C’s) performance-based multimodal transportation planning process, including the development of long- and short-range plans such as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This process is done in cooperation with the State and public transportation providers and under the guidance of a robust public participation plan (PPP). Federal legislation passed in 1962 requires that any Urbanized Area (UZA) with a population greater than 50,000 shall establish an MPO. “Urban” is defined by development density within or outside municipal limits, meaning that unincorporated areas surrounding municipalities can also be defined as part of an urbanized area. MPOs are responsible for ensuring that federal-aid transportation projects in metropolitan areas result from a continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative transportation planning process. The purpose of an MPO is to ensure that federal transportation funds are being used to meet local needs and address local priorities as identified by the Policy Board of the MPO, which is comprised of locally elected and appointed officials from member government organizations.
The purpose of the MPO is to ensure local control over Federal transportation infrastructure investments. With a focus on transportation planning, and community engagement, MVP for Transportation aims to enhance the quality of life for residents, promote economic vitality, and ensure the efficient movement of people and goods throughout the region through collaboratively planning for transportation infrastructure.
