Fundamentals of Regional Transportation Planning Organizations in Washington State
1. Fundamentals of Regional
Transportation Planning
National Rural Transportation Peer
Learning Conference
December 4, 2014
Cincinnati, Ohio
Organizations in
Washington State
Judith S. Lorenzo
Manager, Washington State DOT
Statewide Transportation Planning Office
2. 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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4. 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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6. The Purpose of an RTPO
WAC 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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7. RTPO Establishment Criteria
RCW 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.
8. RTPO Designation Requirements
WAC 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.
9. RTPO Designation Procedures
WAC 468-86-070
9
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.
10. RTPO Designation Procedures
WAC 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.
11. 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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15. 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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16. 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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17. 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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19. RTPO Organizational Structure
Membership is documented in the Interlocal Agreement
Operational Procedures are defined in the Bylaws
Lead Planning
Agency
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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
20. 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.
21. RTPO Policy Board, continued
RCW 47.80.040
Each 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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22. RTPO Policy Board, continued
RCW 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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23. Executive Board
More 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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24. Executive Board, continued
More 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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26. Functions of RTPOs
RCW 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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27. Functions of RTPOs, continued
RCW 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.
27
28. Functions of RTPOs, continued
RCW 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.
30. Planning Opportunity
Coordinated 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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32. Regional Transportation Plan
RCW 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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33. Regional Transportation Plan, continued
RCW 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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34. Regional Transportation Plan, continued
RCW 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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35. Regional Transportation Plan, continued
RCW 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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36. Regional Transportation
Improvement Programs
WAC 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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37. 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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39. 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:
42. RTPO Financing
RCW 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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43. RTPO Financing, continued
RCW 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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44. 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
45. Collaborating with Metropolitan
Planning Organizations to
Develop a Framework for
MAP-21 Target Setting
Judith S. Lorenzo
Manager, WSDOT
Statewide Transportation Planning Office
National Rural Transportation Peer
Learning Conference
December 4, 2014
Cincinnati, Ohio
47. Are We Ready to Take Off?
47
2013
WSDOT Readiness Assessment:
Data Availability, Thresholds and
Performance Baselines
On-going Communication with
USDOT, AASHTO, SCOP, MPOs
2014
Structured Coordination with
MPOs/RTPOs on all MAP-21
NPRMs
Quarterly Meetings with MPOs to
Establish a Framework to
Collaboratively Set Targets
2015
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