The Transportation Planning Process and Metropolitan Planning Organization

An overview of transportation planning and the role of the Metropolitan Planning Organization

"Transportation planning is a cooperative process designed to foster involvement by all users of the system, such as the business community, community groups, environmental organizations, the traveling public, freight operators, and the general public, through a proactive public participation process conducted by the MPO, state DOT, and transit operators." -- Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transportation Administration

It is important to identify and incorporate stakeholders during the early and middle stages during the planning process. The FHWA and FTA stress the fact that during the planning process those that have historically been underrepresented and underserved should be taken into special consideration. 

The MPO was created through Federal legislation in the early 1970s to make sure that existing and future transportation programs and projects follow an all encompassing and efficient process. While there are no explicit requirements for the structure of MPOs, they can be comprised of a director, an executive board, and both technical and citizen advisory committees. The 5 functions of the MPO are:

• Establish and manage fair and impartial setting for effective regional decision making in the metro area.
• Identify and evaluate alternative transportation improvement options.
• Prepare a long-range transportation plan (MTP) that covers at least 20 years and update it periodically. The plan should foster (1) mobility and access for people and good, (2) efficient system performance and preservation, and (3) quality of life.
• Develop a short-term transportation improvement program (TIP).
• Involve the public.

In addition to these tasks the MPO must also conform and comply with the state's air quality plan or the State Implementation Plan (SIP). Moreover, MPOs also have responsibilities under state law.

Maryland has 6 MPOs. The one for the Baltimore area is the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB). The MPOs of Maryland are responsible for organizing the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP), which is a detailed listing of the capital projects proposed for the next six-year period.

The Transportation Planning Process Illustrated