What are MPOs?
A metropolitan planning organization (MPO) is a transportation policy-making body made up of representatives from local government and transportation entities in metropolitan planning areas. MPOs were created to ensure that existing and future expenditures for transportation projects and programs were based on a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive planning process.
Core functions of MPOs are to:
- Establish a fair and impartial setting for effective regional decision making.
- Identify and evaluate transportation improvement options to achieve regional transportation goals related to mobility and access for people and goods, efficient system performance and preservation, and desired quality of life.
- Develop long-range plans and short-range programs to achieve regional transportation goals.
- Involve the public in the functions listed above.