Regional Planning

Federal transportation legislation requires all urbanized areas of 50,000 or greater population to maintain a continuing, comprehensive and cooperative transportation planning process. The organization responsible for carrying out this transportation planning process is called a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Federal funding for transportation projects and programs are channeled through this planning process. Through the Long Range Planning Division, the Office of Community Transportation is responsible for the statewide coordination and oversight of the transportation planning process in Tennessee's eleven MPO areas. (see Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Coordination)

The oversight and coordination process includes:

• Interpretation of Federal Planning Requirements
• Providing technical support to the MPOs
• Reviewing and approving transportation planning documents (Long Range Transportation Plans, Transportation Improvement Plans, Unified Planning Work Programs, etc.)
• Administration of the Planning (PL) Funding Program
• Serving as liaison between the MPOs and Federal agencies 
• Participating in Interagency Consultation (IAC) meetings in non-attainment areas and reviewing conformity documents for compliance with FHWA and EPA regulations and submitting conformity documents to FHWA, FTA, and EPA
  

For more information, please contact Planning Manager Stacy Morrison by email at Stacy.Morrison@tn.gov