What is an MPO?

MPOs are entities designated by law with the lead responsibility for the development of the area's transportation plans and to coordinated the transportation planning process. All urban areas over 50,000 in population are required to have an MPO if the agencies spend federal money on transportation improvements.

MPO Functions:

Evaluation of transportation alternatives

Develop a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)

            Describes planning activities/key policy actions for current year
            Required by the U.S. Department of Transportation
            Prepared every fiscal year
            Click here for the Centre County UPWP

Maintain a Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)

            Describes transportation strategies and policies
            Minimum 20 year planning horizon
            Updated every four years
            Air Quality Conformity Analysis required
            Fiscally constrained
            Opportunities for public involvement
            Click here for the Centre County LRTP

Develop a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

            Intermodal program outlining transportation funding over 4-year period
            Includes schedules, funding, sources, and lead agencies
            Updated every two years
            Air Quality Conformity Analysis required
            Opportunities for public involvement
            Click here for the Centre County TIP

Involve the public