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.

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
City of Montgomery website:  http://montgomeryal.gov/index.aspx?page=205 
MPO website: http://www.montgomerympo.org