Evolution and Devolution

Evolution and Devolution PDF

Author: Ted D. Zoller

Publisher:

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 40

ISBN-13:

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The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) dramatically changed the metropolitan planning process by presenting new opportunities and responsibilities to the institutions in charge of metropolitan planning. The legislation fundamentally altered intergovernmental relationships at the federal, state, and local levels by devolving unprecedented decisionmaking authority for project selection and funding allocation to state and local governments. Seemingly, one of the prime benefactors of this change was the metropolitan planning organization (MPO), the institution created to perform federally required transportation planning for metropolitan areas. Yet, a decrease in MPOs' planning responsibilities in the decade prior to the passage of ISTEA left MPOs somewhat unprepared for the new roles and responsibilities given them by the legislation. Indeed, ISTEA's new technical and political mandates created onerous burdens for MPOs, and the devolution of power blurred many of the established lines of responsibility in transportation planning. As a result, ISTEA's effect on MPOs has had implications for all actors involved in the planning process and has engendered questions concerning the institutional competence of MPOs, as well as their planning authority vis-a-vis other planning institutions. In this study, the authors investigated the genesis and evolution of MPOs. They reviewed the changes in MPOs over time, including the statutory mandates and funding changes that have affected both their planning capabilities and priority setting. Special attention was paid to the changes created by ISTEA and the institution's ability to deal with the requirements of intermodalism. The report provides recommendations to help facilitate MPOs' adjustment to the intermodal transportation planning process mandated by ISTEA and suggests areas of future research to help planning agencies prepare for the mandates of "NEXTEA."

Institutional Barriers to Intermodal Transportation Policies and Planning in Metropolitan Areas

Institutional Barriers to Intermodal Transportation Policies and Planning in Metropolitan Areas PDF

Author: Crain & Associates

Publisher: Transportation Research Board

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 9780309057196

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This report documents and presents the results of a study of institutional barriers to intermodal transportation policies and planning. Stakeholder interviews, a literature review and a national survey of 421 transit agencies, MPOs, and state DOTs were utilized to identify 13 organizational, interjurisdictional, and resource barriers to intermodal planning. Findings of the study suggest that building community support, adequate funding, education, and leadership commitment are the primary driving forces that can improve intermodal planning practices. Structure, procedure, and leadership provide the decision-making context for intermodal planning, that is, they enable (or restrict) the regional or local decision-making process. Ten context-shaping recommendations are offered. Action planning sessions held in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Austin, Texas; and Queens, New York indicated that a number of attributes can enhance the local intermodal planning process.

Response of Small Urbanized Area MPOs to ISTEA

Response of Small Urbanized Area MPOs to ISTEA PDF

Author: Montie G. Wade

Publisher: Transportation Research Board

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 48

ISBN-13: 9780309061087

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This synthesis will be of interest to officials and staff of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) representing regional communities of less than 200,000 population. It will also be of interest to state and local highway and transit agencies, administrators, and elected officials. Other officials, such as state legislators and officials in environmental agencies who interact with the MPOs will also have an interest in this synthesis. It presents information on changes that MPOs in smaller urbanized areas have made in response to the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). The adjustments in policy and practice in developing transportation plans and programs for the agency and the new requirements necessitated by ISTEA are described. With the advent of ISTEA, many of these small MPOs initiated changes in their role within the region and in the transportation planning process applied to carry out this role. Based on a limited sample of small MPOs, the types of changes in policy, procedure, staffing, intergovernmental relations, resource allocation, and training are discussed in this report of the Transportation Research Board. The issues associated with the changes are also highlighted. The techniques (models) that have been applied are described.

Multimodal Aspects of Statewide Transportation Planning

Multimodal Aspects of Statewide Transportation Planning PDF

Author: Henry L. Peyrebrune

Publisher: Transportation Research Board

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 68

ISBN-13: 9780309068697

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This synthesis report will be of interest to department of transportation ( DOT) administrators, planning supervisors, managers, and staffs, as well as to planning consultants that work with them. It provides information for practitioners interested in the results of attempts to apply multimodal considerations at the statewide level and identifies key research findings. It covers post-ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991) processes and projects and both passenger and freight activities. The report examines the application of three multimodal aspects: alternatives, modal mix, and integration into three statewide planning functions, which include state planning, corridor studies, and financing, budgeting, and programming. The emphasis is on implementation. This report of the Transportation Research Board documents processes and research currently under development, using three approaches: a literature review, results of a survey of state DOTs, and five case studies. It cites the following states with exemplary practices in multimodal/intermodal transportation based on a 1998 report by the policy research project at the University of Texas on Multimodal/ Intermodal Transportation: Florida, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Enhanced Planning Review of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area

Enhanced Planning Review of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area PDF

Author: John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)

Publisher:

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 56

ISBN-13:

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FTA and FHWA have initiated a series of joint Enhanced Planning Reviews (EPRs) to assess the impact of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) on the planning processes conducted by the transportation agencies serving metropolitan areas. The EPRs also are intended to determine the effects of planning on transportation investment processes. The EPR for the Washington, DC metropolitan area included federal site visits on December 12 and 13, 1994 and February 14 and 15, 1995. At the conclusion of the visit the federal team presented preliminary observations and recommendations to the local agencies taking part in the review. This final report describes the EPR in detail and provides summary conclusions as well as a complete set of observations and recommendations.

Intermodal Technical Assistance Activities for Transportation Planners

Intermodal Technical Assistance Activities for Transportation Planners PDF

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13:

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This document identifies intermodal technical assistance activities originating within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) which should be of use to metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and State and local planners in fulfilling their responsibilities under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA). The areas of intermodal technical assistance activity are: air quality analysis; citizen/industry participation; congestion management; economic analysis; environmental and social impact analysis; geographic information systems; intermodal facilities planning; intermodal freight transportation; intermodal systems -- planning and management; metropolitan and statewide planning activities; resource centers; transportation statistics; travel demand forecasting; and travel demand management.

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