Appendix C
MPO Process
The MPO Process
Office of Transportation Planning
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| 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
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| 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