Highways

Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTP) Overview

Kristen Z, Transportation Planner

[<5 Minute Read]

What is an LRTP?

State Departments of Transportations (DOTs) have been producing Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTPs) for decades.  They are a long-standing requirement of federal transportation legislation. The legislation requires that these plans address several planning factors – economic vitality, safety, security, accessibility, mobility, environment, system preservation, system integration and connectivity, system resiliency and reliability, and travel and tourism.  Most LRTPs are policy-based plans, as there is no federal requirement for DOTs to list individual projects in LRTPs.

The LRTP planning process is intended for each DOT to step back from its day to day duties and evaluate the users and the needs of the multimodal transportation system in its state. The needs include the state’s highways, transit services, rail operations, local systems and bicycle / pedestrian systems.  First, data is gathered and analyzed and then needs are defined.  Next, public input is solicited and priorities are determined. The resulting plan is intended to guide investments by the DOT. 

Why is an LRTP Developed?

LRTPs are developed for several reasons.  First of all, they are required.  For several decades now, federal transportation legislation has required State DOTs to develop LRTPs.  They are also used to guide overall investment in the state highway system and the various state and federal transportation funding programs the State DOT administers.  They provide an opportunity for States to define their priorities and goals, which can include system safety, system preservation, economic development or financial stewardship.

Who Participates in the LRTP Process?

When an LRTP is developed, the State DOT engages many stakeholders including local governments, the general public and other regulatory agencies, including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  DOTs engage many different types of stakeholders including system users, affected public agencies, representatives of public transit employees, public ports, freight shippers, private providers of transportation, representatives of users of public transit, people with disabilities and users of the bicycle / pedestrian system.  

Who Benefits from the LRTP?

LRTPs have several beneficiaries.  The LRTP documents the policies, goals and vision for the statewide multimodal transportation system. The documentation is provided to taxpayers, regulators, the press, partners, stakeholders and other interested parties.  The LRTPs also benefit DOTs by providing justification for how the DOT makes its investment choices and other resource allocation decisions.

Example of an LRTP

The recently adopted Long Range Transportation Plan for California is an example of an LRTP.  The California Transportation Plan (CTP) provides a common framework for guiding transportation decisions and investments by all levels of the government and the private sector.  It defines the vision for transportation across the state of California: “California’s safe, resilient and universally accessible transportation system supports vibrant communities, advances racial and economic justice, and improves public and environmental health.”  California’s CTP defines objectives and a path forward for how to accomplish the vision – including specific action items.

Check out California’s CTP for yourself at, https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/transportation-planning/documents/ctp-2050-v3-a11y.pdf

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Core DOT Planning Products – LRTPs and STIPs

Kristen Z, Transportation Planner

[<3 Minute Read]

State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) develop and maintain two core planning products – the Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTPs) and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIPs).

Statewide Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTPs) Overview

Federal regulations require DOTs to develop and maintain Statewide Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTPs).  LRTPs are policy-oriented plans that set long range goals for the state multi-modal transportation system. These plans incorporate safety, access and mobility.  LRTPs involve the state highway system of interstates, U.S. highways, state highways, and other transportation modes like air, bicycle, pedestrian, rail, and transit.  There are no federal requirements regarding frequency of updating LRTPs or for listing individual projects.  Since most LRTPs do not list projects, many states design and implement separate processes for identifying and prioritizing highway infrastructure projects.

Statewide Transportation Improvement Programs (STIPs) Overview

DOTs also develop and maintain Statewide Transportation Improvement Programs (STIPs).  STIPS provide a list of all projects occurring in the statewide transportation system and all projects associated with statewide transportation initiatives that will be implemented over the next four years.  Projects are listed as either individual projects (i.e. a modernization project to reconfigure an interchange on a highway) or as “bucket projects/programs” (i.e. ongoing transit operations funding program).  STIPs include projects funded with federal funding, state funding and local government funding. In fact, federal funding cannot be approved for any project unless it is specifically listed in the STIP.  STIPs typically are funded by billions of dollars and include hundreds of projects.  Many DOTs utilize EcoInteractive’s Project Tracker software, which contains an administrative portal for DOT staff to manage and track STIP projects at the update and amendment stages.

STIPs require extensive coordination with MPOs in the state because they must include the current Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) from each MPO in the state.  They also require extensive coordination with the division’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) office and the regional Federal Transit Administration (FTA) office because federal regulations require approval from these offices. EcoInteractive’s Project Tracker software helps with the flow the process with modules to seamlessly upload MPO TIPs and modules to receive federal review and approval. Additionally, DOTs provide regular opportunities for public input in the STIP and amend it regularly (EcoInteractive’s Project Tracker software includes a public facing portal to assist with public input).

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Core MPO Planning Products – MTPs and TIPs

Kristen Z, Transportation Planner

[<3 Minute Read]

All Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are required to produce and maintain two planning products – the Metropolitan Transportation Plans (MTPs) and the Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs). 

Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) Overview

MTPs are long range, visionary plans that define the long-term goals (i.e. 20 years+) and desired outcomes (including the strategies and projects required) for the region’s multi-modal transportation system. The multi-modal transportation system includes highways, arterial streets (a high-capacity urban road that sits below freeways / motorways on the road hierarchy in terms of traffic flow and speed), transit systems, railroad systems, bicycle and pedestrian systems.

MTP Planning Process

First, data on the existing system is compiled, evaluated, and reported.  Next, the needs of the system are identified and prioritized.  Finally, input is collected from stakeholders and the general public, financial projections are made, and all information is synthesized into goals, policies and a project list.  

The project list often contains a diverse mix of projects and strategies including capital highway infrastructure projects, public outreach initiatives, transit buses and services, plans and studies, capital construction on arterial streets, bicycle and pedestrian projects and initiatives.  Depending on the size of the region, MTPs’ projects can cost millions or even billions of dollars.  MTPs are approved by the local MPO, and they serve as the official plan for the transportation system in each metropolitan area. Many MPOs utilize EcoInteractive’s Project Tracker software to track their MTPs, which can be customized with a public facing portal to view the MTP projects and an administrative portal to manage the MTP Amendments.

Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP) Overview

Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP) consist of all projects from the MTP that will be implemented over the next four years.  Federal regulations require projects listed in the TIP to be consistent with the MTP.  TIPs include projects funded by many different federal, state and local funding sources.  In fact, federal regulations require projects to be listed in the TIP before federal funding can be secured for TIP projects.

At the TIP level, specific funding sources and sponsoring agencies (i.e. local governments, state governments, transit authorities, etc.) are committed to individual projects.   Once the TIP has been approved, engineering design begins on capital construction projects and procurement processes are initiated for the non-capital projects.  Many MPOs utilize EcoInteractive’s Project Tracker software to manage their TIPs. The Project Tracker software includes an administrative portal for MPO staff to manage TIP projects at the update and amendment stages and a public facing portal.

Public and Federal Impact of MTP and TIP Process

MPOs provide regular opportunities for public and stakeholders to provide input and comments on the MTP and the TIP and amend them regularly.  Federal regulations require that MTPs be updated at least once every four years in regions that have been designated by the EPA as “non-attainment” for federal air quality standards and at least once every five years in all other regions.  Federal regulations require TIPs to be updated at least once every four years.

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Introduction to State Departments of Transportation (DOTs)

Kristen Z, Transportation Planner

[<3 Minute Read]

What are State Departments of Transportation (DOTs)?

Each state in the country has a Department of Transportation (DOT) as part of its executive branch.  DOTs were established shortly after the federal-level Department of Transportation was established in 1967. One of the first responsibilities of the state-level DOTs was to partner with the federal DOT in constructing and planning the U.S. Interstate system.  Over time, most state DOTs diversified and added other forms of transportation to their original highway focus.

What Function do State DOTs Serve?

Most state DOTs participate in some level with current forms of transportation planning including roads, bicycle/pedestrian, rail, water and air transportation. They also participate in studying emerging forms of transportation like electric and autonomous vehicles.  State DOTs own and operate the state highway network, including U.S. Interstates, U.S. Highways and State Highways.  They administer state and federal transportation funding programs, and participate in planning, designing, and constructing the state transportation network.  As a cabinet agency in the executive branch of state governments, State DOTs rely on policy and funding direction set by State Legislatures. 

What Issues do State DOTs Tackle?

State DOTs are currently facing several emerging issues, including expanding from an exclusive focus on mobility and highways for gas and diesel-powered vehicles to include additional modes of transportation and additional vehicle fuels and technologies.  In addition, state DOTs are facing aging infrastructure and an aging workforce retiring with institutional knowledge.

What Role Do DOTs Play in Transportation Decision Making at the Metropolitan Level?

State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) play a significant role in transportation decision making at the metropolitan level.  DOTs often initiate and fund some of the largest projects in metropolitan regions – especially projects involving the state highway system.  In order to prioritize projects, DOTs develop long-range and short-range plans covering transportation across the entire state. 

Who Coordinates with DOTs?

Within each metropolitan region, DOTs often coordinate with local governments and/or regional planning organizations called Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to prioritize transportation projects and transportation services within the metropolitan region.  State DOTs often have their own systems for prioritizing projects for design and for construction and weigh engineering, economic development, and other local support factors while prioritizing.  DOTs must consider the needs of the entire state system while evaluating candidate projects in metropolitan areas and balance the needs of the metropolitan areas with the needs of rural areas and interstate traffic.   

Finally, DOTs also often have pass-through programs where they share/award a portion of their State and/or Federal funding to projects serving specific modes of transportation (e.g., rail, air, bike/pedestrian, transit) or to specific areas of the state (e.g, bridges in rural areas or school safety projects).  Each state must comply with federal funding program eligibility rules but also retain discretion on decision making in terms of specific projects and funding sources.

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Introduction to Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)

Kristen Z, Transportation Planner

[<3 Minute Read]

What are Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)?

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are organizations that plan the transportation system in individual metropolitan areas in the United States.  They develop strategic priorities for the transportation system, write short-term and long-term transportation plans and make decisions on how to best allocate federal, state and local tax dollars across the metro transportation system. Recognizing the economic importance of metropolitan areas to the nation’s economy, MPOs were first put in place by federal legislation in the late 1970s to address transportation issues and needs that cross jurisdictional boundaries of local governments.

What Function Do MPOs Serve?

MPOs strive to make improvements in safety, modernize the transportation system, make transportation accessible to more people, contribute to larger societal goals and strategically expand the local transportation system.  MPOs plan, program and fund a variety of projects including reconstructing highway interchanges and arterial corridors, replacing public transit buses and building new bike/pedestrian facilities.  Currently, typical issues that MPOs are handling include preparing for a new federal infrastructure bill, developing and carrying out performance-based planning and balancing traditional needs, including balancing highway preservation with building bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

What Type Of Staff Work At MPOs?

While they are often also staffed by professional transportation planners, administrative staff and managers, MPOs are typically composed of their Boards of Directors, which are composed of elected officials from area local governments, the State Department of Transportation and other owners/operators of public transportation networks or services.

Where Are MPOs Located?

Typically, MPOs are housed in larger Councils of Governments (COGs) or Regional Council (RC) organizations. MPOs are located in all major metropolitan areas in the United States. They are required to exist in metropolitan regions larger than 50,000 people in population and have existed for over 40 years. Since their existence, the focus of MPOs has varied depending on the needs and interests of the region.

Who Works Within MPOs?

Since MPOs plan for transportation systems that are composed of individual networks owned and operated by individual cities, counties, states and other governmental entities, there is a significant amount of coordination with local governments and engagement with stakeholders and the general public.

What Role Do MPOs Play in Transportation Decision Making at the Metropolitan Level?

MPOs play a significant role in transportation planning and decision making at the metropolitan area level.  Their long-range plans, called Metropolitan Transportation Plans (MTP), serve as the official source for transportation investment in metropolitan areas.  Federal legislation allocates a portion of the larger federal transportation funding programs to large MPOs (MPOs that serve regions populated by over 200,000 people), providing these MPOs with the responsibility to decide which projects will receive the federal funding.  Since MPOs receive federal funding for operations, MPOs often conduct studies and data collection efforts that address priority focus areas such as technology, safety, congestion or walkability.

As part of their plans, MPOs often include projects planned for the regional transportation system that are funded by local governments. Additionally, State DOTs are required to include their capital projects in MPOs’ plans, which are subject to approval by the MPO Board.  MPOs serve as the exclusive hub for coordinating transportation decision-making, prioritizing and planning the metropolitan transportation system and producing productive working relationships among local governments, the State DOT, and any other public owner/operator of a transportation system or service, such as a public transit provider.

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