Our Plans
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a four-year planning document that identifies which projects from the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) will be funded over the next four years. It serves as a fiscally constrained short-range capital improvement program for the transportation system within the greater Hot Springs area. The TIP undergoes updates at least every four years, with biennial updates being the norm. The TIP is developed in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and the local transit provider, Intracity Transit. The Tri-Lakes Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) TIP is an integral component of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Consequently, the projects, funding amounts, fiscal years, and other relevant details must align between the TIP and the STIP.
The long-term plan outlines the region’s investment and management strategies for achieving the plan’s goals and desired outcomes. It serves as the blueprint for determining the direction and priorities of the area over the next two decades.
The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) utilizes the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), also known as the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) to redirect the area’s efforts towards constructing a reliable, sustainable, and efficient transportation system for its residents. The MTP/LRTP provides the framework for securing local, state, and federal support for upcoming projects and fostering regional growth.
A Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) identifies planning activities that staff will undertake over that period (fiscal year), and the associated budget for the MPO’s upcoming fiscal year (July 1st – June 30th). The UPWP is prepared annually, typically being presented and discussed during the spring (March – May).