Page:MPO Regional Transit Advisory Committee · Lawrence-Douglas County 2012-2015-TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM-Revision-2.pdf/46

 =Appendix 4 Latest USDOT Regulations Concerning TIP Development and How the L-DC MPO TIP and MPO Process Are Addressing Those Regulations= In preparing this TIP the MPO staff reviewed the metropolitan planning regulations for MPO operations and TIP development carefully and thoroughly to ensure that every pertinent part of those regulations was met with the publication of this new 2012-2015 TIP. Federal regulations governing the development of this TIP and other MPO documents can be found at: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=92689e4714e84ce478902390edb2030a&rgn=div6&view=text&node=23:1.0.1.5.11.3&idno=23

The portion of these planning regulations dealing with TIP development and a brief explanation of how the MPO responded to those regulations in the development of this TIP document and how the MPO process addresses those federal regulations is included on the following pages.

=§ 450.324 Development and improvement program (TIP). content of the transportation =

(a) The MPO, in cooperation with the State(s) and any affected public transportation operator(s), shall develop a TIP for the metropolitan planning area. The TIP shall cover a period of no less than four years, be updated at least every four years, and be approved by the MPO and the Governor. However, if the TIP covers more than four years, the FHWA and the FTA will consider the projects in the additional years as informational. The TIP may be updated more frequently, but the cycle for updating the TIP must be compatible with the STIP development and approval process. The TIP expires when the FHWA/FTA approval of the STIP expires. Copies of any updated or revised TIPs must be provided to the FHWA and the FTA. In nonattainment and maintenance areas subject to transportation conformity requirements, the FHWA and the FTA, as well as the MPO, must make a conformity determination on any updated or amended TIP, in accordance with the Clean Air Act requirements and the EPA's transportation conformity regulations (40 CFR part 93).

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) produces a State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) that covers at least four years and is updated annually. The MPO produces a new TIP at least once every four years and has that TIP cover at least four years. That TIP as amended is part of the STIP by reference. KDOT, MPO and local transit provider staffs all work collaboratively on the development of the TIP. All updates and amendments to the TIP are sent to the FHWA-Kansas Division and FTA Region 7 Offices. The L-DC MPO Metropolitan Planning Area (i.e., Douglas County) is in attainment for air quality standards.

(b) The MPO shall provide all interested parties with a reasonable opportunity to comment on the proposed TIP as required by §450.316(a). In addition, in nonattainment area TMAs, the MPO shall provide at least one formal public meeting during the TIP development process, which should be addressed through the participation plan described in §450.316(a). In addition, the TIP shall be published or otherwise made readily available by the MPO for public review, including (to the maximum extent practicable) in electronically accessible formats and means, such as the World Wide Web, as described in §450.316(a).

The MPO produced a Public Participation Plan (PPP) in 2009 and follows it in providing opportunities to interested parties to comment on MPO products and processes. The MPO puts draft documents out for public reviews, provides draft documents for various planning groups (e.g., Planning Commission, Bicycle Advisory Committee, Public Transit Advisory Committee, County Commission, City Commission, and others) as requested

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