Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)

Close-up of Caltrans logo on white passenger train

The ‘Three Pillars’ of Carbon Reduction, According to Caltrans

The California Department of Transportation released its draft carbon reduction strategy last month to apply for Carbon Reduction Program funds included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Road pricing plays a prominent role.

August 9, 2023 - CalTrans

Freeway Interchange Construction

Proposed Rule Would Require Emission Reductions From U.S. Highway System

A recently proposed rule, the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measure, would require state and regional planning powers to track and reduce emissions from the U.S. highway system.

September 7, 2022 - Transportation for America

Freeway Interchange

Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Explained and Evaluated

Knowing is half the battle, and most people have a lot to learn about metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and how they maintain the status quo of transportation planning and spending in the United States.

August 12, 2020 - DOTs and State Level Steez

Electric Cars

Electric Vehicles Alone Will Not Reduce Emissions to Meet California's Climate Goal

According to a new report by the California Air Resources Board, even if electric vehicle sales were to increase tenfold, it would not reduce emissions from transportation enough to meet a 2030 climate goal. A major reduction in driving is needed.

November 29, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Court Ruling Sides With Regional Officials Over Statewide Climate Goals

The California Supreme Court sided with the San Diego Association of Governments on July 13 in the first court case to decide how regional planning agencies must meet state-required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.

July 17, 2017 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Fort Lauderdale

Broward County, Florida to Select from Four Sales Tax Options on November Ballot

They could opt for a one percent, 30-year infrastructure tax, a .75 percent, 20-year transportation sales tax, approve both, or reject both. The two competing measures arise from differences between the county's 31 cities and county commissioners.

May 30, 2016 - Sun Sentinel

Florida Roads

Roads Come Before Transit for Broward, Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization

County commissioners had approved a one-cent sales tax measure to improve roads and transit throughout the county, but MPO members, dominated by city representatives, prefer an undefined infrastructure tax with a majority of funds returned to cities.

May 6, 2016 - Sun Sentinel

Regional Planning Merger One Step Closer to Reality in the Bay Area

The Bay Area is one of the few metro regions in the U.S. with a separate MPO and COG, but that could change after voting members of both the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments agreed to a merger study.

November 2, 2015 - Contra Costa Times

Long Range Transportation Plan Released for St. Louis Region

The Connected2045 plan lays out a 30-year vision for transportation projects in the St. Louis region, with attention paid to access, the environment, freight movement, alternative transportation, neighborhood preservation, and safety.

March 25, 2015 - nextSTL

Evaluating California's SB 375 Implementation So Far

Julie Pierce, city of Clayton councilmember, chair of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, and president of the Association of Bay Area Governments, evaluates the effects of SB 375, California's key land use law to address climate change .

March 7, 2015 - Western City

A New Era in California for Evaluating Transportation Emissions

An appellate court's rejection of SANDAG's $200 billion sustainable communities plan holds far-reaching implications for how regional planners evaluate greenhouse gas emissions from transportation to meet SB 375 requirements to the year 2050.

December 8, 2014 - San Diego Union-Tribune

San Diego's 'Visionary' Transportation Plan Tossed By Judge

The first regional plan passed under landmark SB 375 requiring MPOs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has failed a key test. Environmental plaintiffs sued because transit investments were in the future. They won, forcing SANDAG to redo their plan.

December 5, 2012 - LA. Streetsblog

California Set To Adopt Emissions Targets From VMT Reduction

The fruition of a lengthy state planning process required by SB 375 may come as early as Sept. 23 when the CA Air Resources Board may adopt targets for 18 metropolitan regions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing vehicle miles traveled.

September 22, 2010 - Capitol Weekly

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.