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Rural Consultation Practices
Maine’s Sensible Transportation Planning

In 1992, the citizens of Maine passed a voter referendum intended to increase opportunities for meaningful public input and broaden the regional component of the state's transportation planning.

The governing guidelines, known as the Sensible Transportation Policy Act (STPA) charged the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) with developing and coordinating a "public participation process providing for early and effective public involvement in local and regional transportation planning."

To comply with the new requirements MDOT created seven Regional Transportation Advisory Committees (RTACs). RTACs are the centerpiece of the public participation process. Each RTAC is comprised of representatives from local governments, the business community, environmental and land use groups, advocates of alternative modes and the general public. Staffed by state transportation officials and regional development organization employees, RTACs are assigned with bringing well-reasoned public advice to the MDOT on a wide range of issues.

RTAC Role:

The RTACs are intended to serve as a focal point for integrating and balancing regional transportation policies in full consideration of local, municipal and state needs. The diverse range of transportation perspectives inherent in the RTAC structure and membership makes it a valuable source of advice on a wide variety of transportation matters.

RTACs are responsible for advising the department on the following:

• Transportation issues and goals
• Regional transportation needs and efficiencies
• Transportation improvement priorities
• Multimodal system options
• Social, environmental and economic issues and goals
• Land use issues and goals

RDO Role:

In Maine, the six regional development organizations (RDOs) provide local governments with valuable assistance in areas such as strategic planning, shoreline zoning, and the administration of small business loan programs. Given their strong connection to local governments, the RDOs are well positioned to bring local and regional transportation interests to the table during RTAC discussions.

Through an annual $25,000 grant, the RDOs conduct studies on the economic impact of proposals for municipalities, coordinate land use issues and represent municipal and regional transportation interests on a project level at the RTAC meetings. There is at least one RDO under contract in each of MDOT's regions.

Elery Keene, Executive Director of Kennebec Valley Council of Governments found that "there is a conscious effort by MDOT to evaluate and evolve the process so that rural areas continue to have a role." The future of rural transportation planning in Maine looks positive. Keene envisions the RDOs role as becoming more policy oriented and he praised John Melrose, MDOT's Transportation Commissioner, for his continued support of the process.

For further information on the Maine Rural Transportation Planning Process contact Chris Huck, Transportation Planner with the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, at (207) 453-4258.


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