ATMS PLANNING: LINKING UP WITH THE MPO AND SECTION 134 PROCESS

The Intermodal Surface Tranpsportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 marks a major change in not only funding levels for transportation projects of all types but also in the way business is typically done by State and local governments. Additional provisions for metropolitan and Statewide planning must now involve both State and local governments in the development of long and short range improvement plans. There is also the requirement that State DOTs cooperate and consult with local government, including Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), on project selection and implementation. There are a variety of issues and practices which must be addressed when discussing the link between the transportation planning process and IVHS in general and more specifically for this paper, Section 134 (metropolitan planning) and ATMS.