Evolving Role of Metropolitan Planning Organizations in Transportation Planning for Megaregions

Abstract

Transportation policy makers and planners are increasingly recognizing that the United States, to remain globally competitive, must address the significant transportation needs of megaregions, the large networks of metropolitan centers and their surrounding areas connected through cultural, environmental, and economic characteristics as well as major infrastructure. In response to transportation challenges that extend beyond the formal boundaries covered by current transportation planning processes, local, regional, and state transportation agencies are developing collaborative processes to plan for megaregions. This process involves flexible adaptation of the roles and responsibilities identified in federal requirements for transportation planning. This paper presents the results of research funded by the Federal Highway Administration on how metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are working with partners to address transportation issues in seven megaregions. The research used case studies to identify successful technical and institutional approaches, innovations, and challenges for policy makers and peer agencies. The project team developed a framework for evaluating the MPO approach to megaregion planning and refined the framework on the basis of applications to the case studies. The case studies demonstrate a pattern of evolution, suggesting that MPOs engage in a series of activities that may eventually support a transportation system on a megaregion scale. The study considers how MPOs participate and lead in key aspects of planning for megaregions as the MPOs work within and adapt the federal planning framework to conduct technical analysis, forge partnerships, develop studies, and support new projects.

Accessibility planning in American metropolitan areas: Are we there yet?

“…MPOs are mandated to produce RTPs that lay out strategies and actions that guide transportation system development over a 20-to 30-year planning horizon as a condition of receiving federal funds (Goetz et al, 2002). MPOs also must prepare a financially constrained Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) that prioritises all capital and non-capital surface transportation projects and enumerates the total costs and funding sources for all projects over a four-year period (Peckett and Lyons, 2012).…”

“…Though MPO policy boards are comprised of local elected officials, representatives of state departments of transportation, and local public-transportation agencies (Peckett and Lyons, 2012), few MPOs have direct authority over land-use decisions. This situation casts MPOs in the roles of policy shops focused on regional goals, facilitators of a regional vision (Nelles, 2014), and regional brokers distributing federal and state funding (Innes and Gruber, 2005).…”

The Geography and Equity of Crowdsourced Public Participation for Active Transportation Planning

“…Structures of governance and involvement at the scale of a megaregion are nascent or non-existent (3)(4)(5)(6)(7). One study does report that metropolitan planning organizations, which are regional transportation entities required in US urban areas, may offer the flexibility to help address megaregion problems, but ''without formal funding or structures, MPOs [Metropolitan Planning Organizations] have limited time and staff to apply to megaregion planning and tend to limit participation to projects or studies with direct and immediate benefits such as interregional rail plans or data access'' (8). The scales involved with translating a robust approach including customized outreach, stimulating public interest, and then targeting community groups, could increase the cost and time of public participation over large areas (9).…”

Megaregion Projections 2015 to 2045 with Transportation Policy Implications

“…Ostensibly, MPOs are not charged with addressing megaregion issues. But many undertake activities that are at the megaregion scale through formal and informal agreements with other MPOs, state departments of transportation, and federal agencies (16). MPO planning and the megaregion scale occur when stakeholders recognize numerous issues and needs that can be addressed only by initiatives at that scale.…”

“…MPO planning and the megaregion scale occur when stakeholders recognize numerous issues and needs that can be addressed only by initiatives at that scale. As Peckett and Lyons observe, "For megaregion planning processes to be successful over the long term, the initiatives need support from political leaders and from interdisciplinary stakeholders and technical staff across the megaregion" (16). Still, as the authors point out, "Without formal funding or structures, MPOs have limited time and staff to apply to megaregion planning and tend to limit participation to projects or studies with direct and immediate benefits such as interregional rail plans or data access" (16).…”