RPO Models: Indiana

The Indiana Department of Transportation launched the Small Urban and Rural Transportation Planning Program in 2001 with five regional development organizations (known locally as regional planning commissions) and four metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). Starting in 2005, the program was expanded to 11 regional and small urban planning partners, including seven RPOs, two RPOs that also serve as MPOs and two MPOs.

The planning activities of the groups are aimed at supporting the state’s headquarters and district office staff with public outreach, technical assistance to local officials and the collection of transportation-related data. The program is reviewed and modified each year and each organization is evaluated and renewed based on its performance.

Typically, the state provides each planning partner with $40,000 and requires a 20 percent local match. In FY2006, the state restructured the program to make it more accountable and focused on a traffic count program and implementation of the state’s Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS).

According to Lisa Gehlhausen, Executive Director of the Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission, “The project has been instrumental in improving our use of GIS technology. It has taken awhile to build the staff capacity and organizational support to accomplish what we have thus far, but it has helped us, and in turn it has helped our local communities.”

The Indiana 15 RPC has expanded its transportation program to create maps that outline improvements to streets in various communities. In addition, the group is engaged in discussions with the state and county highway engineers about collecting more accurate data on traffic volumes at rail crossings. The issue of railway crossings is an issue of growing concern in the region.

For more information, see:

RPCs Engage in Rural Planning

Region 3A Report on Small Urban and Rural Needs (PDF)



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