Over the last few weeks several of us have been talking about a potential consolidated purchase by the state DOTs of the next round of Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPP). Below is an excerpt from summary that David Clawson of AASHTO prepared from the Standing Committee on Planning meeting where the CTPP proposal was discussed. Attached is a copy of the propasal which, while similar to the the 1990 and 2000 in terms data products, goes much further in regard to technical assistance, research and training. By way of note: David will be retiring form AASHTO and his last day is December 15, 2006. I for one will miss David as he has been not only a supported in all this CTPP business but has helped carry the water within AASHTO for atleast the last two cycles, 1990 and 2000. I am sure many of us will miss David. -------------------------- Summary of October 28, 2006 SCOP meeting held in Portland, Oregon The AASHTO Standing Committee on Planning met on October 28, 2006 in Portland, Oregon in conjunction with the AASHTO Annual Meeting. Susan Mortel, of Michigan DOT and SCOP vice chair presided Jonette Kreideweis, Minnesota DOT, presented a report of the SCOP Data Task Force, which she chairs. She first discussed a proposal for a Consolidated Purchase by the States of the Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPP) – copy attached. Under this proposal, the 50 State DOTs and the District of Columbia would make a consolidated purchase of the CTPP through AASHTO as was done for the 1990 Census and 2000 Census. Jonette distributed a copy of the proposal, which was also sent to SCOPT prior to the Portland meeting. The proposal indicated the cost to each state and the District of Columbia. SCOP members discussed this proposal, with meeting participants expressing support for the proposal and raising some questions about AASHTO’s timing and flexibility in collecting these funds. Dave Clawson of AASHTO indicated that AASHTO’s preference would be to receive the funds in one or two payments, but that AASHTO would work with States on a case by case basis to meet the State issues in making these payments. SCOP approved the proposal for a new CTPP, which was also distributed to the AASHTO Executive Committee. Dave Clawson indicated that following this meeting, AASHTO would be sending financial commitment letters for this project to each of the CEOs, with copies to their SCOP members. 11/15/06 ---- Ed Christopher Resource Center Planning Team Federal Highway Administration 19900 Governors Drive Olympia Fields, Illinois 60461 708-283-3534 (V) 708-574-8131 (cell) 708-283-3501 (F)