Appendix C MPO Process The MPO Process Office of Transportation Planning 1 | Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot August 13, 2013 SW WP HH HH WP SW SW HH EB EB SW SW SW SW = Sheri Warrington, Manager MPO Activities, X-8837 HH = Heather Hannon, X-8878 ~ EB = Ethan Britland, X-8236 ~ WP = William Palmer, X-8070 2 | Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot August 13, 2013 3C Planning Process Continuing Comprehensive Intermodal Planning Cooperative Regional Planning Documents Regional Transportation Plan (RTP): 20 year plan which defines the goals and objectives Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP): annual document that sets out MPO Staff’s studies and tasks Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): 4 year document revised annually to reflect federally funded projects in a given region What is the TIP? Transportation Improvement Program Spans four years, endorsed annually (August) Conforms to projects and goals set out by RTP Federally mandated: all projects receiving federal funding must be in the TIP Includes highway and transit project listings State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): a combination of the TIPs from all the MPOs, must be approved by FHWA, FTA, DEP, and EPA What is the membership of the MPO? CEO/Secretary of Transportation (Chair) MassDOT Highway Division Administrator Regional Planning Agency Regional Transit Authority Local elected officials What is the responsibility of an MPO member? Take approval action on documents that: Set regional long-term transportation policies Prioritize and program specific transportation initiatives for funding How do we obtain the knowledge to make these decisions? RPA Staff to the MPO MPO Advisory Committee Highway Division Districts Prepare certification documents Develop data analysis Perform studies Facilitate public input and feedback Provide specialized and citizen input on specific issues Make recommendations to the MPO on specific strategies or projects Respond to transportation issues on the ground Provide detailed information regarding project development at all stages Responsible for ensuring implementation RTA Staff Speaks to ongoing transit issues and developments Responsible for ensuring implementation MassDOT – MPO Activities Oversee all aspects of the 3C Planning Process within each of the MPOs Act as liaisons between MassDOT and the MPOs Assist the MPO staff by providing guidance and support for tasks such as composing TIPs, UPWPs, and RTPs Participate in steering committees organized by MPO staff Assist in identifying projects to be considered for TIP programming Support MassDOT Divisions in achieving their respective goals and complying with specific standards TIP Development Process FHWA provides MassDOT with allocation of funds MassDOT develops regional targets as well as statewide program allocation in collaboration with feedback from MARPA MPO develops prioritized list of projects (TIP) with MPO staff, MassDOT Highway Division and OTP TIP released for 30-day public comment period MPO votes on TIP amendment: to endorse as is or revise in response to comments received All 13 MPOs are gathered together into STIP for FHWA/FTA/DEP/EPA submittal Roadway Project Development Project need Process determined PNF sent to MassDOT Highway for approval PIF submitted to PRC for approval, receives P-Info number Presented to MPO Projects typically ~25% design, detailed scope of work, projected cost estimate, design/construction schedule Contract finalized, project advertised, bid selected, construction Design, environmental review, ROW determination, public meetings Typically 30 days, fewer under certain circumstances MPO votes to release amendment for public review and comment MPO votes to endorse amendment, include project on TIP