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Subjects › Transportation › National, Statewide and Regional Transportation Planning
Updated 01/2011

National, Statewide and Regional Transportation Planning

Contents

National Transportation Planning Policy

Since federal funds are disbursed to states and to regional transportation planning organizations, this section provides background information on national transportation planning policy.

The federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) required states to develop a coordinated, comprehensive, and financially-constrained long-range transportation strategy that placed a strong emphasis on coordination between local, regional, and state agencies. It mandated better integration of transportation and land use decision-making processes. It also elevated the importance of maximizing system efficiency and demand management rather than an exclusive reliance on building new capacity. The original act expired in 1997 and was reauthorized via the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA21) in 1998. In August 2005, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which extends the TEA-21 funding, was signed by President Bush. TEA-21 authorizes the federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and transit for the 5-year period from 2005-2009.

Statewide Transportation Planning

Transportation planning in Washington State falls under the aegis of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), which prepares the state's transportation plan. Federal legislation, the Surface Transportation Act (TEA-21) and its subsequent reauthorization acts (SAFETEA-LU), requires each state to prepare a transportation plan and program providing for development, management, and operation of systems and facilities considering all modes of transportation. The plan must be based on at least a 20-year forecast period and may include a financial plan. Regular updates to the plan are required.

Based on state law, WSDOT must prepare a "comprehensive and balanced statewide transportation plan" every two years based on legislative policies and applicable state and federal laws (RCW 47.01.071). The Statewide Transportation Planning Act, adopted in 1993, establishes a statewide vision for transportation and sets the stage for a balanced transportation system that offers transportation choices (car, transit, rail, bicycle, and walking). The state transportation policy plan must establish a vision and goals for the transportation system consistent with the state's growth management goals; identify significant transportation policy issues; and recommend statewide transportation policies to the Legislature (RCW 47.06.030).

The Washington Transportation Plan (WTP) is a blueprint for transportation programs and investments, and incorporates federal transportation requirements. Regular updates are required by state and federal law. The plan covers all modes of transportation: roadways, ferries, public transportation, aviation, freight rail, passenger rail, marine ports and navigation, bicycles, and pedestrians.

The Washington State Growth Management Act requires that future transportation planning and system development support the broader, long-range goals for community development. The State has established Regional Transportation Planning Organizations that facilitate improved integration of transportation and comprehensive planning, and facilitate coordination among state and local planning efforts.

The WSDOT's Transportation Planning Office coordinates among jurisdictions to assure that transportation facilities and services operate as a total system.

State Transportation Plans

State Transportation Planning Guidance

Regional Transportation Planning

What is a Regional Transportation Planning Organization?

In 1991 the state Growth Management Act enabled counties to form regional transportation planning organizations (RTPO) (Ch. 47.80 RCW). Regional councils of government typically serve as the regional transportation planning organizations (RTPO) or metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for regions of the state. In urbanized areas, the RTPO is the same as the MPO designated for federal planning purposes (RCW 47.80.020). They serve as pass-through agencies for the disbursement of federal highway and other federal transportation funds (including transportation enhancements). State transportation funds are also distributed through the RPTOs. Formation of an MPO is not mandatory, but no federal transportation funds may be spent in the area without an MPO.

RTPOs must (1) encompass at least one complete county; (2) have a population of at least 100,000 or contain a minimum of three counties; and (3) have as members all counties within the region, and at least 60 percent of the cities and towns within the region, representing a minimum of 75 percent of the cities' and towns' population.

All RTPOs are required to prepare regional and/or metropolitan transportation plans (MTP). The MTP is developed through a coordinated process between local jurisdictions and agencies in order to develop regional solutions to transportation needs. The regional transportation plans also provide a framework for the development of transportation policies included in land use and transportation and other elements of growth management comprehensive plans.

Regional Transportation Planning Organizations and Metropolitan Planning Organizations 

Washington State Department of Transportation information on RTPOs and MPOs:

Regional Transportation Plans

The following regional plans were prepared by the regional transportation planning organizations:  

Washington State Transportation Contacts and Resources