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Rural Consultation Practices
Regional Approach Drives Iowa
Rural Transportation Consultation Process

Regional transportation planning became the focal point in Iowa when the Intermodal Surface Transportation Equity Act (ISTEA) became law in 1991. As a starting point for forming a new state/regional transportation planning partnership, the Iowa Transportation Commission designated 16 regional transit-planning regions as the initial basis for organization.

Local officials representing the cities and counties were provided the opportunity to indicate their preference to remain in their current transit-planning region, join with another region, or partner with other counties to form a new regional planning affiliation (RPA).

Currently, there are 18 regional planning affiliations covering the state from border to border. The metropolitan planning organizations were not included in the regions, but all planning agencies are encouraged to cooperate in planning efforts and coordinate programming.

Each RPA established a transportation planning process aimed at the adoption of a Regional Transportation Plan. This plan includes both long-term and short-term strategies and actions that lead to the development of an integrated, intermodal transportation system.

Each RPA has established a technical advisory committee and a policy board for guiding the planning and programming process for the region. The technical committee is made up of professional staff, including engineers and planners, from member towns and counties.

The policy board includes local elected officials from throughout the region. These officials are responsible for approving all plans and projects developed by the technical committee. The policy board approves the long-range transportation plan and projects included in the annual elements of the transportation improvement program. Representatives of the state attend all technical and policy meetings to help coordinate planning and programming efforts.

The regional plan includes such details as an inventory of all transportation facilities and services, including:

• use and condition of those facilities and services;
• a 20-year forecast of the facilities and services needs;
• an estimate of the long-term and short-term funding needs and an establishment of goals, strategies and priorities for accomplishing those needs.
• the plan is reviewed and updated at least every five years.

Dave Horan, Executive Director of the Northwest Iowa Planning and Development Commission, states that "Iowa has created a planning process that gives more control and money to the local level and advocates for regional cooperation and control." Horan also explains that "TEA-21 and the work NADO has done in promoting a regional approach to transportation planning has given the Iowa planning process more validity and strength."

The partnership between the state and the regions has been beneficial for Iowa. A new appreciation of the infrastructure dilemmas facing each government is apparent. The coordination of efforts has been key to the development of the planning and programming process in Iowa.

For further information, contact David Horan, Executive Director of Northwest PDC, at (712) 262-7255 or email dave.horan@iwd.state.ia.us.


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