RPO Models: Alabama

The West Alabama Regional Commission was selected in late 2004 by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to conduct a two-year planning and consultation pilot project for a seven-county region that includes both rural and metropolitan areas. ALDOT extended the rural planning organization (RPO) process statewide with the state’s other 11 regional development organizations (known locally as regional councils of government) in October 2006.

The West Alabama Regional Commission, which also serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Tuscaloosa urban area, was responsible for establishing and staffing the West Alabama RPO. The RPO consists of three primary committees: Policy Committee, Technical Coordinating Committee and the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee. The state provided $120,000 for the two-year effort and required a 20 percent local match.

The primary function of the RPO is to provide rural local officials and local citizens with increased dialogue and input with state policy officials and staff, in addition to offering a formal framework to develop, prioritize and pursue transportation and safety improvements within the region. One of the main products of the RPO planning effort is the development of an integrated transportation investment plan that addresses the multi-modal needs of the region. The group identifies and shares ideas for low-cost safety improvements with state district engineers, county engineers and other relevant partners. The RPO also develops a regional long-range transportation plan that sets goals and identifies specific project priorities for each county within the region.

For more information, see:

Alabama RPO Program (PDF)
Jill Hannah, West Alabama Regional Commission, Northport, Alabama

WARC Rural Transportation Planning Summary Document (PDF)



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