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Danville Area Transportation Study (DATS)

What is a Metropolitan Planning Organization and its Functions?

A metropolitan planning organization (MPO) is a transportation policy-making organization made up of representatives from local government and transportation authorities. The Federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1973 required the formation of a MPO for any urbanized area with a population greater than 50,000. MPO's were created in order to ensure that existing and future expenditures for transportation projects and programs were based on a comprehensive, cooperatiStimulus Projects for Transportation Improvementsve, and continuing (3-C) planning process. Federal funding for transportation projects and programs are channeled through this planning process.

There are five core functions of an MPO

Establish a setting

Establish and manage a fair and impartial setting for effective regional decision-making in the metropolitan area.

Evaluate alternative

Evaluate transportation alternatives, scaled to the size and complexity of the region, to the nature of it's transportation issues, and to the realistically available options.

Maintain a Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)

Develop and update a long-range transportation plan for the metropolitan area covering a planning horizon of at least twenty years that fosters (1) mobility and access for people and goods, (2) efficient system performance and preservation, and (3) quality of life.

Develop a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

Develop a program based on the long-range transportation plan designed to serve the area's goals, using spending, regulating, operating, management, and financial tools.

Involve the Public

Involve the general public and all the significantly affected sub-groups in the four essential functions listed above.