The Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration are considering reforms that would enact a sweeping reform of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs).
Alexander Bond updates the ongoing process at the FHWA/FTA to update a rule regarding the consolidation of metropolitan planning organizations.
The proposed rule, titled the "Metropolitan Planning Organization Coordination and Planning Area Reform" rule, was first announced in June. The rule "would essentially force over 140 MPOs to consolidate with nearby MPOs that serve the same Census-defined urban area," according to Bond.
Initial public comments sparked enough interest to cause the FHWA and FTA to extend the comment period, during which the federal agencies are seeking feedback on three specific areas of concern: "(a) under what circumstances would multiple MPOs be allowed to serve a single urban area; (b) the impact of requiring one set of plan documents; and (c) the forecasted cost of the proposed rule."
According to Bond, the new round of public comments signals a "softer line" on MPO reform. The Eno Transportation Weekly has been tracking the proposed rulemaking since the summer, with previous guest columns by Barry Seymour, executive director of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and Steve Heminger, executive director of the San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
FULL STORY: MPO Planning Area Rule Reopens for Comments, Signaling a Softer Line on MPO Consolidation from USDOT
8 Winners Selected for the 2015 Transportation Planning Excellence Awards
The federal government surveyed the country to recognize the best (multi-modal) transportation planning projects.
USDOT Repeals Emissions Monitoring Rule
A Biden-era regulation required states to report and plan to reduce transportation-related emissions.
How Would Project 2025 Affect America’s Transportation System?
Long story short, it would — and not in a good way.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
LA Transit Ridership Plummets Amidst ICE Raids
LA Metro’s bus and rail lines are seeing up to 15 percent lower ridership in the wake of violent immigration arrests.
A New Texas Neighborhood is Powered by Geothermal Energy
The 7,500-home development claims to be Austin’s ‘first zero energy planned community.’
Data: In Rural America, Mobile Homes are Heat Traps
Extreme heat is often viewed as an urban problem, but rural communities face their own unique risks.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)