[CTPP] RE: MPO's Areas with More Than One Urbanized Area

An MPO should serve the most logical definition of a regional travel market.. If that market includes more than 1 urbanized area, then the MPO should include those urbanized areas. Here in the Research Triangle region, we have two urbanized areas within 2 MSAs (Raleigh-Cary and Durham-Chapel Hill) with separate MPOs, but our most heavily traveled roadway link (I-40 at the Durham/Wake County line in the Research Triangle Park) is at the dividing line between our urbanized areas and MPOs. We make things work through good cooperation (single travel demand model, joint LRTP, single air quality conformity process, etc.) but it is not how one would design the process to be most effective and cost-efficient. John Hodges-Copple, Planning Director Triangle J Council of Governments PO Box 12276 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Street address: 4307 Emperor Blvd., Suite 110, Durham, NC 27703 919-558-9320 (direct) johnhc@tjcog.org<mailto:johnhc@tjcog.org> www.tjcog.dst.nc.us<http://www.tjcog.dst.nc.us/> E-mail correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Act and may be disclosed to third parties unless made confidential under applicable law. From: ctpp-news-bounces(a)chrispy.net [mailto:ctpp-news-bounces@chrispy.net] On Behalf Of Smith, Robert Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 5:59 PM To: ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net Subject: [CTPP] MPO's Areas with More Than One Urbanized Area CTTP List Serv: I was wondering if there are any MPO's out there that have more than one urbanized area in your area and if so how is this handled? I am also seeking opinions of other MPO professionals about the pro's and con's of having two in one MPO area, especially if they are not contiguous to each other based on the urban area criteria. Thanks, Robert Robert E. Smith Jr. Senior Transportation Planner, MPO Administrator Planning and Development Department Transportation Planning Division Head City of Montgomery/MPO Intermodal Transportation Facility 495 Molton Street Montgomery, AL 36104 Phone: (334) 241-2249 Fax: (334) 241-2326 Email: rsmith@montgomeryal.gov<mailto:rsmith@montgomeryal.gov> City of Montgomery website: http://montgomeryal.gov/index.aspx?page=205 MPO website: http://www.montgomerympo.org E-Mail correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Act and may be disclosed to third parties unless made confidential under applicable law.