RE: [CTPP] Adjusted Urbanized Area

Hello Viplava. Here in Montana we had some of the same questions you have. In particular, we had trouble reconciling new Census definitions (Federal Register/Vol.67, No. 51 - March 15, 2002) with what currently exists in USC Titles 23 and 49 relating to urban areas. My understanding is that FHWA is looking into this and will provide further guidance on establishing urban boundaries and the "smoothing" criteria states can use relating to census blocks and urban clusters. With respect to establishing urbanized boundaries, FHWA HQ has asked that we follow the same federal-aid policy guidelines used for the 1990 census. These guidelines (Chapter 4 - Urban area Boundaries) can be found at the link attached below. You will note that the urbanized boundaries under these guidelines CAN encompass fringe areas having residential, commercial, industrial, transportation terminals, and national defense significance if they lie within a reasonable distance (no qualifications on what this distance can be). One of the goals for Census 200 was to bring the urban area criteria back to a single set of rules and eliminate any subjectivity in delineating the new UA and UC census boundaries. I don't know if this is the same goal FHWA has in designating urban and urbanized boundaries - especially if we use the 1990 criteria. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov//////legsregs/directives/fapg/g406300.htm -----Original Message----- From: Putta, Viplava [mailto:vputta@incog.org] Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2002 1:53 PM To: ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net Subject: [CTPP] Adjusted Urbanized Area "The Federal Highway Administration approves adjusted urbanized-area boundaries that include the census-defined Urbanized Area plus transportation centers, shopping centers, major places of employment, satellite communities and other major trip generators near the edge of the Urbanized Area, including development expected to be in place shortly." Our state (Oklahoma) is conducting this exercise currently with all towns in Oklahoma. I am trying to find out more about this practice. Can someone point me to the federal register/the directive related to this? - Is the sole purpose here is to get the HPMS representation right or should we know more about the usage in apportionment. - What are the limits of such 'smoothening' the urbanized area by the above definition? - Is this intended for all towns/cities (both in and outside of the TMA?) - When the DOT 'smoothen' the boundary I assume they should include block group if they decide to go out and any other parameters one should be aware of? Thanks. Viplav Putta INCOG