What is an MPO Anyway? (and why should I care?) An Informational Session About the Metropolitan Planning Process for the MPO Policy Committee of the Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization Darrell L. Howard, AICP, PTP - Deputy Director of Planning Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham

What is an MPO? Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) An MPO is a transportation policy-making body made up of representatives from local government and transportation agencies having responsibilities and/or authority within a metropolitan planning area. Federal law requires the formation of a MPO for any urbanized area (UA) with a population of 50,000 (as defined by the U.S. Bureau of the Census)

What does an MPO do? The Metropolitan Transportation Planning Process MPOs were created to ensure that existing and future expenditures and transportation projects and programs were based on the 3-C planning process. 3-C Planning Process Continuing: Planning must be maintained as an ongoing activity and should address both short-term needs and the long-term vision for the region. Cooperative: The process must involve a wide variety of interested parties through a public-participation process. Comprehensive: The process must cover all transportation modes and be consistent with regional and local land-use and economic-development plans.

What does an MPO do? Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) MPOs carry out the Transportation Planning Process. This includes: Monitoring existing conditions Forecasting future population and employment growth Assessing projected land uses Identifying major growth corridors Identifying and understanding current and expected transportation needs and problems Developing both long-range plans and short-range programs Estimating impacts of transportation improvements to mobility, accessibility, connectivity, the environment, and air quality

What does an MPO do? Federal Planning Factors Federal regulations direct that the MPO’s planning activities should: Support economic vitality Increase safety Increase security Increase accessibility, mobility, and connectivity Protect and enhance the environment, including air quality Improve quality of life Promote energy efficiency and conservation Promote consistency with growth and economic development Enhance system integration and connectivity Promote efficient transportation system management and operations Emphasize system preservation Note1: Factors must considered during planning process. Note 2: Each factor is applied based on local circumstances.

What does an MPO do? Livability Principles Federal guidance encourages consideration of Livability Principles Provide more transportation choices. Develop safe, reliable, and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote public health. Promote equitable, affordable housing. Expand location- and energy-efficient housing choices for people of all ages, incomes, races, and ethnicities to increase mobility and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation. Enhance economic competitiveness. Improve economic competitiveness through reliable and timely access to employment centers, educational opportunities, services and other basic needs by workers, as well as expanded business access to markets.

Livability Principles Support existing communities. Target federal funding toward existing communities—through strategies like transit-oriented, mixed-use development and land recycling—to increase community revitalization and the efficiency of public works investments and safeguard rural landscapes. Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment. Align federal policies and funding to remove barriers to collaboration, leverage funding, and increase the accountability and effectiveness of all levels of government to plan for future growth, including making smart energy choices such as locally generated renewable energy. Value communities and neighborhoods. Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe, and walkable neighborhoods—rural, urban, or suburban.

What does an MPO do? Required Documents Federal law and regulations requires that MPOs develop the following: Core Products Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Metropolitan Transportation Plan i.e. Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Air Quality Conformity Determination (designated non-attainment/maintenance areas) Congestion Management Process (CMP) Performance Monitoring Plan Public Involvement Plan Annual Listing of Projects

What does a MPO do? MPO Responsibilities Federal law requires that MPOs develop and adopt: Core Responsibilities Establish a Setting - Establish and manage and fair and impartial setting for effective consultation and coordination in order to affect regional decision-making Metropolitan Transportation Plan - Prepare and maintain a Metropolitan Transportation Plan i.e. Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) aka Long-range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Transportation Improvement Program - Develop and maintain a Transportation Improvement Program (Short-range Plan) Transportation Planning Process - Identify and evaluate alternative transportation improvement options using data and planning methods Involve the public - Ensuring the full and fair participation of the general public and all other affected constituencies in the core functions listed above

What does a MPO do? MPO Responsibilities Other Responsibilities (of the Birmingham MPO) Air Quality Conformity Analysis and Determination (in designated non-attainment/maintenance areas) Congestion Management Process In areas of 200,000 or more in population Performance Measures/Performance Based Planning Plans, programs, and projects are required to be evaluated in order to determine how effective they are in helping to achieve regional goals Other Transportation Plans/Programs Regional Transit System Planning/Human Service Transportation Planning Active Transportation Planning Travel Demand Management Freight System Planning System Management and Operations Project Implementation Assistance

About the Birmingham MPO Structure Formal MPO Committees MPO Policy Committee MPO Advisory Committee (MAC) Citizens Committee (TCC) Technical Committee (TTC) Membership There are forty-five (45) voting members of the MPO Policy Committee Proportionately Weighted Representation 7 Districts Representing = 40 voting members total ALDOT Division Reps = 2 voting members 3 Public Transit Reps

About the Birmingham MPO Coordination with Other Programs Heart of Alabama Rural Planning Organization (HARPO) Rural Transportation Planning Transportation planning process similar to MPO but without no MPO powers or money Consultation only Coordinates activities with MPO Regional Economic Development Planning Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Water Resources Consultation Land Use/Land Development Consultation Mine Reclamation Concurrency Solid Waste Concurrency Community Planning Assistance

For More Information Website www.RPCGB.org/transportation Contacts Darrell L. Howard dhoward@rpcgb.org Cissy Edwards-Crowe cedwards@rpcgb.org