Fundamentals of Regional Transportation Planning Organizations in Washington State

National Rural Transportation Peer

Learning Conference

December 4, 2014

Cincinnati, Ohio

Fundamentals of Regional

Transportation Planning

Organizations in

Washington State

Judith S. LorenzoManager, Washington State DOT

Statewide Transportation Planning Office

Today’s Discussion• Fundamentals of Regional Transportation Planning

Organizations (RTPOs) in Washington

• Difference Between Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO)

and RTPOs

• RTPO Membership and Organizational Structure

• RTPO Duties and Functions

• Elements of Regional Transportation Plans and Regional

Transportation Improvement Programs

• Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Role

in RTPOs

• Administrative and Financial Aspects of RTPOs

• Collaborating with Metropolitan Planning Organizations

to Develop a Framework for MAP-21 Target Setting

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History of RTPOs

3

RTPOs Were Created in 1990• The 1990 Transportation

Policy Plan recommended

that the legislature create

RTPOs.

• RTPOs were created as

part 3 of the Growth

Management Act and the

statewide planning process

to address:– Transportation issues that

crossed jurisdictional boundaries

– Transportation and land use

relationships

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5

14 RTPOs

The Purpose of an RTPOWAC 468-86-020 (1)

RTPOs are a formal

mechanism for local

governments and the

state to coordinate

transportation planning

for regional

transportation facilities.

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RTPO Establishment CriteriaRCW 47.80.020

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Each RTPO…shall:

• Encompass at least one complete county

• Have a population of at least 100,000, or contain a

minimum of three counties; and

• Have as members all counties within the region, and

at least 60% of the cities and towns within the region

representing a minimum of 75% of the cities' and

towns' population.

In urbanized areas, the regional transportation planning

organization is the same as the metropolitan planning

organization designated for federal transportation

planning purposes.

RTPO Designation RequirementsWAC 468-86-050(1) Establishing the Organization

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• A regional transportation planning organization is a voluntary

association of local governments within the region.

• It shall be a formal organization formed through an interlocal

agreement that

• Establishes the organization;

• Defines duties and relationships; and

• Includes a transportation policy board.

• The establishment of a technical advisory committee (TAC) is

recommended.

• The RTPO must determine its own structure to ensure equitable

and acceptable representation by member governments.

• Regions are encouraged to seek native American tribal

involvement.

RTPO Designation ProceduresWAC 468-86-070

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Local governments desiring participation in the regional transportation

planning program must submit an RTPO designation package to

WSDOT in order for WSDOT to verify that the RTPO meets the

requirements of RCW 47.80.020.

This package shall contain the following items:

• A description of the region;

• A formal designation of the RTPO, in the form of a resolution

or other legal declaration;

• A list of all RTPO member local governments;

• A copy of the interlocal agreement that will govern RTPO

operations;

• A formal designation by the RTPO of the lead planning

agency; and

• A description of the RTPO’s transportation policy board.

RTPO Designation ProceduresWAC 468-86-070

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• WSDOT has the responsibility of verifying that RTPOs designated

by local governments meet the state requirements.

• The most recent annual OFM population data will be used to verify

population figures.

• WSDOT will review the RTPO designation package, make a finding

of verification, and concur with or deny the local designation.

• Once verified, the RTPO may proceed in carrying out its duties and

may receive regional transportation planning formula grants.

• If significant changes are made in the structure of the RTPO,

WSDOT may request that another designation package be

submitted for verification review.

Determining Region Planning

Boundaries WAC 468-86-040

Local governments should decide the geographic extent

and composition of their region.

The region should reflect common transportation concerns

and a willingness among the local governments to work

together in a cooperative planning process.

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The Difference Between MPOs

and RTPOs

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13

12 MPOs

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14 RTPOs

The Difference Between RTPOs and

MPOs in Washington State

• State legislation created RTPOs.

• Federal legislation created MPOs.

• An RTPO covers both urban and rural areas and

receives state funding in support of its planning

efforts.

• An MPO covers an urbanized area, defined as

the Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) and

receives federal funding in support of its planning

efforts.

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RTPOs in Washington are Maple Bars

RTPOs in MAP-21 are Donuts

MPOs in Washington are either Donut

Holes or Maple Bars

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Relationship to MPOs

• RTPOs should be

integrated with the

MPO program in

urban areas.

• The state RTPO

program requirements

are complementary to

both the federal MPO

and MAP-21 RTPO

programs.

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RTPO Membership and

Organizational Structure

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Lead Planning

Agency

RTPO Organizational Structure

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Policy Board

Technical

Advisory

Committee

Signatories to the

Interlocal Agreement,

with WSDOT, Transit

Agencies, Tribes,

Ports, and others.

Staff from the entities

on the Policy Board

and any additional

entities as desired

• Staff to the RTPO

• Determined by the Policy

Board

• Responsible to both

committees and for

delivering the RTPO work

plan (UPWP)

• Administrative planning

funds agent

Membership is documented in the Interlocal Agreement

Operational Procedures are defined in the Bylaws

RTPO Policy Board

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Membership must

include:

• Cities and towns

• Counties

• WSDOT

• Transit agencies

• Ports

• Private

employers

RTPOs are also

encouraged to include

tribes.

RTPO Policy Board, continuedRCW 47.80.040Each regional transportation planning organization shall create a transportation policy board.

Transportation policy boards shall provide policy advice to the regional transportation planning organization and shall allow representatives … within the region to participate in policy making.

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RTPO Policy Board, continuedRCW 47.80.040

Any members of the house of representatives or the

state senate whose districts are wholly or partly within

the boundaries of the regional transportation planning

organization are considered ex officio, nonvoting policy

board members of the regional transportation planning

organization.

This does not preclude legislators from becoming full-

time, voting board members.

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Executive BoardMore than 1 million population

RCW 47.80.060

In order to qualify for RTPO state planning funds, any RTPO

containing any county with a population in excess of one

million is required to provide voting membership on its

executive board to:

• the state transportation commission;

• the state department of transportation; the four largest

public port districts within the region as determined by

gross operating revenues; and

• any incorporated city within the region with a

population in excess of 80,000

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Executive Board, continuedMore than 1 million population

RCW 47.80.060

• At least 50% of the county

and city local elected

officials who serve on the

executive board are

required to also serve on

transit agency boards or

on a regional transit

authority.

• Currently, this only applies

the Puget Sound Regional

Council.

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RTPO Duties and Functions

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Functions of RTPOsRCW 47.80.023

• Prepare and periodically update a transportation

strategy for the region.

• Prepare a regional transportation plan as set

forth in RCW 47.80.030 that is consistent with

countywide planning policies.

• Review Regional Transportation Plans every

two years.

• Designate a lead planning agency to coordinate

preparation of the regional transportation plan

and carry out the other responsibilities of the

organization.

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Functions of RTPOs, continuedRCW 47.80.023

• Develop, in cooperation with the department of transportation,

operators of public transportation services and local governments

within the region, a six-year regional transportation improvement

program… which proposes regionally significant transportation

projects and programs and transportation demand

management measures. Where appropriate, certify that

countywide planning policies adopted under RCW 36.70A.210 and

the adopted regional transportation plan are consistent.

• Include specific opportunities and projects to advance special needs

coordinated transportation, as defined in RCW 47.06B.012, in the

coordinated transit-human services transportation plan, after

providing opportunity for public comment.

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Functions of RTPOs, continuedRCW 47.80.023

• Review level of service methodologies used by cities and counties…

• …Develop level of service standards or alternative

transportation performance measures.

• Submit to the agency council on coordinated transportation, as

provided in chapter 47.06B RCW, beginning on July 1, 2007, and

every four years thereafter, an updated plan that includes the

elements identified by the council…

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• In addition, while RTPOs are not allocated Surface Transportation

Program (STP) funds for programming. STP funds are allocated to all

MPOs and county lead agencies where and MPO does not exist.

• The only funds allocated to RTPOs at this time are Transportation

Alternatives Program (TAP) funds where they are responsible for

issuing a call for projects, prioritizing, and programming accordingly.

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Planning OpportunityCoordinated Human Services Transportation Plan

RTPOs have the opportunity to develop a Coordinated

Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP) which:

• Address Emergency Management transportation

needs for people who cannot transport themselves

• Provide new technologies to better deliver

transportation to people with special needs

• Provides transportation alternatives for people with

special needs crossing jurisdictional boundaries

The plans are required to be updated every four years.

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Elements of RTPs and RTIPs31

Regional Transportation PlanRCW 47.80.030

Each RTPO shall

develop, adopt, and

periodically update a

regional transportation

plan that:

• Is based on a least

cost planning

methodology that

identifies the most

cost-effective

facilities, services,

and programs;

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Regional Transportation Plan, continuedRCW 47.80.030

• Identifies and gives emphasis to those facilities, services, and programs that exhibit one or more characteristics:

• Crosses member county lines

• Is or will be used by a significant number of people who live or work outside the respective county

• Significant impacts are expected in more than one county

• Potentially adverse impacts can be better avoided or mitigated through adherence to regional policies

• Transportation issue remedy has regional significance

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Regional Transportation Plan, continuedRCW 47.80.030

• Provides for system continuity

• Establishes level of service standards for state highways and state ferry routes

• Includes a financial plan

• Assesses regional development patterns, capital investment and other measures

• Includes a proposed regional transportation approach

• Where appropriate, defines the relationship of high capacity transportation providers and other public transit providers regarding responsibility for and coordination between services and facilities

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Regional Transportation Plan, continuedRCW 47.80.030 (3)

All transportation projects, programs, and transportation demand management measures within the region that have an impact upon regional facilities or services must be consistent with the plan and with the adopted regional growth and transportation strategies.

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Regional Transportation

Improvement ProgramsWAC 468-86-160

Regional transportation improvement programs (TIPs) are developed at

least once every two years and shall:

• Be developed on a cooperative basis

• Consist of a list of regionally significant transportation projects

and programs

• Consist of regionally significant projects included in the local six-

year transit development plans and six-year comprehensive

transportation programs

• Include all proposed WSDOT projects in the region;

• Include only projects consistent with the regional transportation

plan;

• Include a financial section

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Plan Relationships

• Cities and counties develop comprehensive plans

• Counties develop countywide or multicounty planning policies

• Regional transportation plans are then developed to mesh with

local plans and countywide planning policies

• Each regional transportation plan is a guide for achieving

consistency among the local transportation plans in the region

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WSDOT’s Role in RTPOs

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WSDOT’s Role with RTPOs

AN ASSET MANAGER

• Serves as a voting member of the RTPO Executive or Policy Board and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

• Coordinates and consults on regional transportation planning activities and studies

• Assists in the integration of WSDOT plans with the Regional Transportation Plan

A FUDICARY AND PROGRAM OVERSIGHT AGENT

• Monitors and ensures compliance with state regulations

• Issues a finding of verification after review of the RTPO designation package, and concurs or denies the local designation or designation or re-designation of RTPOs

• Provides technical assistance and shares data

• Coordinates interagency planning activities

• Administers the RTPO reimbursable grant program

• Approves the RTPO Unified Planning Work Programs and Budgets

• Reviews and approves written requests for subcontracting, scopes of work for third party services, and the necessary agreements

• Monitors and ensures compliance with federal rules and regulations in cases where WSDOT provides federal planning funds, such as federal transit funding for the Human Services Transportation Plan

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WSDOT Serves as:

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Administrative and Financial

Aspects of RTPOs

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RTPO FinancingRCW 47.80.050• RTPOs receive

biennial state

appropriations through

WSDOT to carry out

their program.

• Funding is calculated

by a formula defined in

statute and is

distributed to the lead

agencies.

• This formula includes

a base amount for

each county within an

RTPO plus an amount

based on population.

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RTPO Financing, continuedRCW 47.80.050

• WSDOT can retain an

amount to be administered

as a discretionary grant

program for special regional

planning projects.

• This includes grants to allow

counties with significant

transportation interests in

common with an adjoining

county to participate in that

region’s planning efforts.

• WSDOT has done this on

two occasions.

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RTPOs are:

• Responsible for coordinating transportation planning within their

region.

• Required by law to develop long-range transportation plans

cooperatively with the state, transit operators, and locals, and are

encouraged to include tribes.

• Required by law to certify that the Comprehensive Plan

Transportation Element is consistent with the Regional

Transportation Plan.

• Required by law to develop a six-year transportation improvement

program.

The RTPO program is administered by WSDOT.

Where there is an MPO, the lead planning agency is the same agency

(except for Lewis Clark Valley MPO and Palouse RTPO)

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Summary

Collaborating with Metropolitan

Planning Organizations to

Develop a Framework for

MAP-21 Target Setting

Judith S. LorenzoManager, WSDOT

Statewide Transportation Planning Office

National Rural Transportation Peer

Learning Conference

December 4, 2014

Cincinnati, Ohio

46

Questions?

You Bet We Have Questions!

Are We Ready to Take Off?

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2013WSDOT Readiness Assessment:

Data Availability, Thresholds and

Performance Baselines

On-going Communication with

USDOT, AASHTO, SCOP, MPOs

2014Structured Coordination with

MPOs/RTPOs on all MAP-21

NPRMs

Quarterly Meetings with MPOs to

Establish a Framework to

Collaboratively Set Targets

2015More of the Same

Brainstorming with Core Staff

Who, What, When, and How?

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29 Federally

Recognized Tribes

When the Rules are Revealed

All Will be Easy Breezy Right?

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Summary

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