Metropolitan Planning Organizations: Findings and Recommendations for Improving Transportation Planning

With the enactment of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act in 1991, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) became more important institutions for planning and funding regional transportation systems. This study attempts to assess the success of MPOs in four fast-growing areas- Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Phoenix, and Seattle-in meeting regional transportation needs. The research identifies the criteria that distinguish more successful from less successful MPOs-effective leadership, staff competence and credibility, quality public involvement, development of a regional ethos, streamlined and efficient processes, cooperative relationships with the state DOT, land-use coordination, and accountability to members-and offers suggestions for improving transportation planning. Copyright 2002, Oxford University Press.