Unit 1 THE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS AND THE ROLE OF THE MPO LCTCC Educational Program

What is the Transportation Planning Process?  Federal law requires metropolitan areas to carry out a “Continuing, Comprehensive and Cooperative” (3C) planning process.  The process results in plans and programs that consider all modes and supports community development and social goals.  The goal is achievement of an intermodal transportation system that promotes efficient, economic movement of people and goods.  The process should involve all users of the system. LCTCC Educational Program

Steps in the Transportation Planning Process 1.MONITOR existing conditions; 2.FORECAST population and employment growth; identify projected land uses and major growth corridors; 3. IDENTIFY current and projected transportation problems and strategies to address them; 4. DEVELOP a LRTP of at least 20 years and short-range program of capital improvements and operational strategies—the TIP to move people and goods; 5. ESTIMATE the impacts of recommended transportation improvements on the environment and safety, health and quality of life; 6. DEVELOP a financial element to the plan with sufficient revenues to cover the costs of implementing all programs and projects; and 7. INVOLVE the public early and throughout the planning process. LCTCC Educational Program

Regional Vision and GoalsAlternate Improvement StrategiesEvaluate and Prioritize StrategiesDevelop a Long Range Transportation PlanDevelop a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)Project DevelopmentSystems Operation (Implementation)Monitor System Performance Critical Factors and Inputs Fiscal Constraint Public Participation Data Economic Factors Safety Air Quality Non- Discrimination Environmental Issues Feedback

What is an MPO?  A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a transportation policy- making body made up of representatives of local government and transportation agencies with responsibility in metropolitan planning. Federal law requires the formation of an MPO in any urbanized area with a population over 50,000.  MPOs ensure that spending on transportation projects and programs is based on the 3C planning process. Federal funding for transportation projects and programs is channeled through the MPO and the MPO’s approved LRTP.  Lancaster County’s MPO was created in 1965 through an agreement between PennDOT, the City of Lancaster and Lancaster County. It is called the Lancaster County Transportation Coordinating Committee (LCTCC). LCTCC Educational Program

1. Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) Composed of 19 members that represent a wide range of transportation interests. Advises the MPO on all transportation matters and meets throughout the year. 2. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Reports to the TTAC on bicycle and pedestrian issues. Works to implement the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan. 3. Transportation Citizens Advisory Committee (TCAC) Consists of members of the public and provides input to the TTAC. Will be eliminated under the MPO Committee reorganization. Special Task Forces may be established to work on specific issues The Smart Growth Transportation Task Force is an example. Committees of LCTCC LCTCC has 3 permanent committees to carry out its functions

Other Responsibilities Air Quality Non-Attainment Status Lancaster County has been designated an air quality nonattainment area for particulates and for ozone ( hour standard). The LCTCC must demonstrate through modeling that future transportation projects will not prevent the area from attaining its air quality goals. Requirement for a Congestion Management Process Areas with populations greater than 200,000 are designated Transportation Management Areas (TMAs) and must adopt a Congestion Management Process (CMP) that identifies actions and strategies to reduce congestion and increase mobility. As part of this process, staff collect annual traffic data which is provided to PennDOT. Lancaster County is subject to this requirement. LCTCC Educational Program

LCTCC and LCPC: Two Organizations That Work Together A COMPARISON LCTCC Educational Program

LCTCCLCPC The main role of the LCTCC is to conduct a “3C” transportation planning process. Its two most visible activities to the public are conducting road corridor studies and prioritizing regionally significant transportation projects that will receive federal, state and local funding. The main function of the LCPC is to guide growth and development in Lancaster County so that it occurs in an orderly, reasonable manner. This is accomplished by developing and implementing a Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan and participating in development of municipal plans. As the County’s designated MPO, LCTCC has specific transportation planning responsibilities that are mandated under federal transportation law and that have been described in earlier parts of this power point. LCPC has the responsibilities set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC). LCPC is the only entity concerned with countywide planning. LCPC acts in an advisory capacity to municipalities on a broad range of planning issues. COMMON RESPONSIBILITIES Both LCTCC and LCPC work on implementing the goals and objectives of the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan. LCPC is responsible for developing and implementing the Comprehensive Plan while LCTCC is responsible for developing and implementing the Long Range Transportation Plan, a functional element of the Comprehensive Plan.