MTP Requirements

  1. Requirements. The metropolitan transportation planning process shall include the development of a metropolitan transportation plan, which is required under 23 CFR §450.322 to address at least a 20 year planning horizon and include both long range and short range strategies or actions that lead to the development of an integrated intermodal transportation system that facilitates the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. The metropolitan transportation plan is cooperatively developed by the MPO, the department (TxDOT), and operators of publicly owned transit services. TxDOT is also responsible for reviewing plans, and submitting new and revised plans to FHWA and FTA for their information.

  2. Development. Development of a metropolitan transportation plan shall be conducted in accordance with 23 CFR §450.322 and shall include all required elements of that section.

  3. Approval. Metropolitan transportation plans must be approved by the MPO policy committee. Prior to any approval, there must be adequate opportunity for public involvement in the development of the plan, in accordance with 23 CFR §450.322(i)(j) and §15.5(c) of this title (relating to the Metropolitan Planning Process).

  4. Submission of new and revised plans. The MTP shall be reviewed and updated at least every four years in non-attainment areas and at least every five years in attainment areas to confirm its validity and its consistency with current and forecasted transportation and land use conditions and trends and to extend the forecast period. Although metropolitan transportation plans do not need to be approved by the FHWA or the FTA, copies of any new/revised plans must be provided to TxDOT for further handling with each federal agency.

  5. Planning factors. The following eight planning areas are included in the SAFETEA-LU to guide metropolitan transportation planning.

    • Support economic vitality of metropolitan area especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency
    • Increase safety of transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users
    • Increase the ability of the transportation system to support homeland security and to safeguard the personal security of all motorized and non-motorized users
    • Increase accessibility and mobility of people and freight
    • Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, and improve quality of life and promote consistency between transportation improvements and state and local planned growth and economic development patterns
    • Enhance the integration and connectivity of transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight
    • Promote efficient system management and operation
    • Emphasize preservation of the existing transportation system

  6. Elements of the MTP. The total plan includes consideration of multimodal elements appropriate to that particular metropolitan area:

    • Streets and Highways
    • Public Transportation
    • Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
    • Air Passengers and Freight
    • Rail Passengers and Freight
    • Water Passengers and Freight

  7. Fundamentals of the Planning Process. Consideration of the following during the planning process may be appropriate:

    • Economic Factors Affecting Development
    • Population
    • Land Use
    • Traffic Engineering Features
    • Travel Patterns and Traffic Forecasts
    • Terminal and Transfer Facilities
    • Community Value Factors and Controls
    • lanning Factors
    • Management System Input
    • Air Quality Conformity Process
    • Recommended Transportation Plans
    • Financial Plans
    • Public Involvement

  8. Functions of the MTP According to §450.322, the MTP shall, at a minimum, include (these are summaries of the actual listed items – for complete language, please see the Federal Code http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/):

    • The projected transportation demand over the period of the plan
    • Existing and proposed transportation facilities that should function as an integrated metropolitan transportation system
    • Operational and management strategies to improve the performance of existing transportation facilities to relieve vehicular congestion and to maximize the safety and mobility of people and goods
    • Consideration of the results of the congestion management process in TMAs that meet the requirements of this subpart, including the identification of SOV projects that result from a congestion management process in TMAs that are nonattainment for ozone or carbon monoxide
    • Assessment of capital investment and other strategies to preserve the existing and projected future metropolitan transportation infrastructure and provide for multimodal capacity increases based on regional priorities and needs
    • Design concept and design scope descriptions of all existing and proposed transportation facilities in sufficient detail, regardless of funding source, in nonattainment and maintenance areas for conformity determinations under the EPA’s transportation conformity rule (40 CFR part 93)
    • A discussion of types of potential environmental mitigation activities and potential areas to carry out these activities, including activities that may have the greatest potential to restore and maintain the environmental functions affected by the MTP
    • Pedestrian walkway and bicycle transportation facilities in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 217(g)
    • Transportation and transit enhancement activities
    • A financial plan that demonstrates how the adopted transportation plan can be implemented

  9. Products of the MTP

    • Long Range Plans
    • Short Range Plans
    • Priorities
    • Programs of Work