The Metropolitan Transportation Planning ... - Saginaw County

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The Metropolitan Transportation Planning Process: Key Issues Urban truck inspections/enforcement Information Management: Highway advisory radio Traffic information What requirements must the MPO adhere to? TEA-21 states that the transportation planning process should "...support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area (or state), especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency; increase the accessibility and mobility options available to people and for freight; and enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight." What funding is available for freight planning and project implementation? MPOs can use planning funds for freight planning, and can dedicate funds for specific project implementation. Funding of specific freight projects must meet federal eligibility requirements for funding. Projects that provide improved access to terminals or ports can be included in the federally funded transportation improvement program. In those cases where freight investment projects can directly bring about reductions in pollutant emissions, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds can also be used to support those projects. Additional sources of information: www.fhwa.dot.gov/freightplanning/index.htm is FHWA's guide to freight planning, providing guidelines, case studies, and a manual. www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_finance_report.htm is a guide to financing freight transportation improvement. www.planning.dot.gov/freight.asp is a link to information on freight planning at the TPCB website.
The Metropolitan Transportation Planning Process: Key Issues provided by the transportation system can influence land use distribution. What is the role of the MPO in land use and transportation? The role of the MPO varies according to state and locality. In some areas, MPOs are responsible for reviewing local land use decisions considered regionally significant. In others, land use decisions are solely the prerogative of local officials. Regardless of the MPO's role in decisionmaking, transportation planners must make every effort to consider the comprehensive land use plans of the region and local jurisdictions, and create a constructive dialogue with land use officials. In that way, each group is informed of actions that might affect the other. What are the requirements for considering land use in the transportation planning process? Federal planning regulations place considerable importance on the link between transportation planning and land use, though there are no federal laws mandating specific actions. According to the 1993 joint FHWA/FTA regulations for metropolitan and statewide planning, the metropolitan transportation planning process should consider "the likely effect of transportation policy decisions on land use and development and the consistency of transportation plans and programs with the provisions of all applicable short- and long-term land use and development plans...." The regulations also state that the plan itself should "reflect, to the extent that they exist, consideration of: the area's comprehensive long-range land use plan and metropolitan development objectives; national, state, and local housing goals and strategies; community development and employment plans and strategies...." How does land use relate to economic development? Activities meant to stimulate economic development can affect the transportation network and adjacent parcels of land in terms of zoning. It is important to consider the effects of development on the quality of life for residents (i.e., traffic noise, improved mobility, more jobs, etc.), the transportation network, and the regional economy as a whole. Much of this will require balancing projected benefits against projected externalities. Better planning tools are increasingly available to help MPOs understand the impact of economic development decisions on the transportation network and the natural environment. Examples of planning tools include the following: transportation models that include land use; technology such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to help illustrate how transportation facilities can affect specific parts of a region or community; and travel demand and emission models which help show how transportation can affect air quality. Policymakers should ask what effects proposed investments would have on economic development and on future transportation needs: ● ● ● ● How should an MPO use its available funding to balance and maximize economic growth with transportation priorities? Can the transportation system accommodate the increased growth that proposed development might bring? What is the trade-off between additional growth in an urban area and the cost of expanding? What modes of transportation are most cost-effective in meeting a region's transportation needs?
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The Metropolitan Transportation Planning ... - Saginaw County

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