RPO Models: Utah

In Utah, the state is working with two regional development organizations (known locally as associations of government) to test the RPO model in two rural counties, Tooele and Wasatch. Under the pilot program, for example, the state provides $40,000 each year for the Mountainland Association of Governments (AOG) to act as the lead agency in coordinating the work program of the Wasatch County Rural Planning Organization.

The primary activities include coordinating the local and regional transportation needs among the municipalities, county, transit agencies, state and others in this growing region. The state does not currently have plans to bring the RPO process statewide, however there are tentative plans to add a third single county RPO pilot in the future.

The Wasatch County RPO provides a clear description of the group’s mission: "Rural transportation planning is the process of examining travel and transportation issues and needs in non-metropolitan areas. It includes a demographic analysis of the community, as well as an examination of travel patterns and trends."

For more information, see:

MAG Takes Lead in Coordinating Transportation Activities (PDF)

Wasatch County Rural Planning Organization Work Program (PDF)

Mountainland Association of Governments Transportation Planning Web site



Download Adobe Acrobat here to view PDF files.