RuralTransportation.org
FAQ's about Rural Transportation


Q: What is the rural consultation process?
A: A formal and documented process - separate and discrete from the public involvement process - for states to involve rural local officials in the development and implementation of statewide transportation plans and project investment decisions.

Q: What is a non-metropolitan local official?
A: Under new federal transportation regulations, a non-metropolitan local official is defined as an elected or appointed official of general-purpose local government.

Q: What are the new Federal Highway and Transit Administration rules on rural consultation?
A: In January 2003, the Federal Highway and Federal Transit Administrations issued new rules outlining the requirements for state consultation with non-metropolitan local officials. The new rules implement the congressional intent of TEA-21, and provide specific guidance for the development and implementation of the state consultation process:

  • Each state must have developed and implemented a documented process for local official input into statewide transportation plans and investment programs by February 2004.
  • The consultation process must be "separate and discrete" from state processes to obtain input from the general public, giving more weight to local officials in recognition of the significant transportation responsibilities of rural local officials and governments, including ownership of roads, bridges, and transit systems.
  • The rule redefines "non-metropolitan local official" to include elected and appointed officials.
  • The rule requires states to confer with local officials before taking actions, consider the officials' views and periodically inform them about actions taken.
  • Within two years of implementation and at least every five years afterwards, states are required to seek feedback from local officials regarding the process. States are also directed to seek comments and input from state associations of counties, municipal officials, regional development organizations, and other non-metropolitan officials.
  • States that choose not to follow recommendations provided by local officials during the comment period are required to make the reasons for their decisions public.

    Q: Where can I find a copy of the federal rules on state transportation consultation with non-metropolitan local officials?
    A: www.ruraltransportation.org/fhwa.pdf.

    Q: How can local officials get involved in transportation planning?
    A: Become familiar with the state's rural consultation plan.

  • Contact your state DOT for a copy of the rural consultation process.
  • Contact your regional planning and development organization to find out how you can be involved.
  • Serve on your region's rural transportation advisory committee. Or, if your region lacks a regional or local planning process for areas outside of the metropolitan planning area, take the initiative to establish a process.

    Learn how states are managing the rural consultation process.

  • Visit www.ruraltransportation.org for examples and models.
  • Visit www.ruraltransportation.org to join the new interactive email listserve for rural transportation stakeholders.

    Share your ideas with the RPO, RDO and state.

  • Identify transportation needs in your area and provide input to the state on regional and local issues and priorities.
  • Attend public transportation meetings and share your ideas and concerns.
  • Engage local citizens and get them to attend planning meetings.
  • Work with your peers to prepare a unified transportation needs plan. Advocate area transportation issues to neighboring regions, area legislators and other interested parties.

    Q: What is a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)?
    A: An organization of primarily local elected officials that provides a forum for local decision-making on transportation issues impacting metropolitan areas with a population above 50,000. Each MPO has a policy board that is generally comprised of chief elected officials who represent different parts of the region served by the MPO. This board is often advised by a technical committee that consists of planning and engineering staff from jurisdictions within each region.

    Q: What is a Regional Development Organization (RDO)?
    A: Also known as area development districts, councils of governments, economic development districts, local development districts, planning and development districts and regional planning commissions - regional development organizations provide valuable administrative, professional and technical assistance to over 2,000 counties and 15,000 small cities and towns. They also administer and deliver numerous federal programs on a regional basis and depending on local needs. Programs include aging, community and economic development, housing, business development finance, transportation and emergency management. RDOs typically administer and/or serve as the RPO.

    Q: What is a Rural Planning Organization (RPO)?
    A: An organization of primarily rural local elected officials that provides a forum for local input on transportation issues impacting non-metropolitan communities with a population below 50,000. RPOs serve as a link between state DOTs, local elected officials and citizens in ensuring their involvement in the transportation planning and decision-making process. In the 23 states with RPOs, these entities are typically managed and coordinated by regional development organizations.

    Q: What is a Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)?
    A: The STIP is a staged, multi-year, statewide, intermodal program of transportation projects, funded or requiring action by the Federal Highway Administration or Federal Transit Administration. The STIP must be consistent with the statewide long-range transportation plan and its planning processes including policy plans. The STIP must cover a period of no less than three years.

    Q: What is a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)?
    A: The TIP is a three-year priority list of transportation projects to be implemented within a metropolitan area of the state. In addition to federally funded transportation projects, the TIP includes a listing of all other transportation projects that use state and/or local funding sources.

    Q: How do I interact with my peers?
    A: Through the new rural transportation email list serve and the upcoming national rural transportation planners conference to be held in Louisville, Kentucky September 2005.

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