Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Strategies for Addressing Federal Requirements

(PI: Susan Handy, CoPIs: Chandra Bhat and Mike Walton)

Although Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) have had an official role in regional transportation planning for decades, their importance has increased as the transportation-related problems in metropolitan areas have increased. The most effective MPOs leverage their powers and resources to address problems of congestion, air quality, safety, and environmental justice. Although there seems to be no magic formula for success, there is much to learn from the most successful MPOs with respect to the strategies they use to meet federal requirements and address transportation problems. The changes facing MPOs in Texas present both challenges and opportunities. The primary purpose of this project is to produce a guidebook that will help MPOs to meet the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities. “A Guide to Success for Texas MPOs” will provide a catalog of strategies, with an assessment of their applicability in different contexts, to help MPOs successfully address today’s transportation problems and those of the future.