MPO 100 Presented by Erica Tait

What is an MPO?  MPO stands for Metropolitan Planning Organization  Mandated by the federal government for urbanized areas with a population greater than 50,000  Tasked with transportation decision-making; leads the transportation planning process for the defined metropolitan area

MPO Structure  An MPO is required to have a decision making “policy body”  Most are composed of:  A Policy or Executive Committee  Technical Advisory Committee  A Director and Staff

Jonesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization(MPO)  Currently has three committees: Transportation Policy Committee Technical Advisory Committee Citizen Advisory Committee  Currently has two staff members: Erica Tait, Director Derrick Harris, Assistant MPO Planner

What is transportation planning?  Transportation planning provides the detailed information and resources for maintaining and improving transportation system performance (i.e. maintaining highway structure, building roads, creating lanes, etc.)  An Ongoing Process that involves population and employment growth forecasts, projected land uses, future travel demands and traffic forecasting, as well as revenue planning

The Planning Process What does it include?  Annual Plan (Unified Planning Work Program)  Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)- Covers 4-year period; updated every 4 years  Long Range Transportation Plan (MTP) Covers 20 year period; updated every 5 years Who does it involve?  Elected Officials  Highway Department/Department of Transportation  MPO Staff  The Public  What is the outcome?  Greater connectivity between various modes of transportation  Enhanced quality of life and economic development  Environmental protection  Safer and more secure transportation systems

Legislation  The current transportation authorization legislation is referred to as the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. This legislation was enacted in December  The previous legislation was MAP-21: Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (enacted in 2012).

Your Role in the MPO Please help us to serve our community better by:  Staying Involved…  Staying Connected…  Sharing Your Thoughts and Experiences… Visit our webpage Facebook Organization /# Twitter

Questions or Comments?

Thank you! Jonesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) 300 S Church St. P.O. Box 1845 Jonesboro, AR Telephone: (870) Web: