RPO Models: Arizona

The Arizona Department of Transportation has fostered a meaningful dialogue and partnership with local officials by funding and supporting the activities of the state’s four regional development organizations serving rural portions of the state. As entities governed by local elected officials, each regional development organization (known locally as regional councils of government or COGs) has a full-time rural transportation staff to prepare and implement a comprehensive transportation work program. Each region receives between $80,000 and $125,000 each year, along with a 20 percent local match, to carry out the work program.

With the active participation of elected and appointed local officials, each COG engages in intermodal planning, serves as a liaison between state and local officials, and coordinates the development and implementation of a five-year construction program for federal-aid eligible projects.

Each region collects and analyzes transportation data for state and local agencies, reviews Section 5311 rural transit applications for consistency with the regional plan, and coordinates the application and prioritization process for transportation enhancement projects and the Section 5310 rural transit program for the elderly and disabled. More recently, the regions have also begun assisting with the state's long-range transportation plan.

The rural COGs have joined with the four small MPOs in the state to host an annual professional development conference for elected officials, members of the technical committees and other rural transportation stakeholders. The annual event, along with periodic training workshops, helps enhance the technical understanding of local officials, provides a forum for peer networking and information sharing, and allows the rural regions of the state to speak with a more unified voice. In addition, the rural coalition raises enough funds through dues assessments and conference fees to support a full-time rural transportation liaison at the state capital.

For more information, see:

Council of Governments Transportation Work Program (PDF)

Non-Metropolitan Consultation in Arizona: The Human Elements in Transportation Planning (PDF)

Northern Arizona Council of Governments Web site

SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization Web site

Western Arizona Council of Governments Web site



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