Metropolitan Transportation Plan
The 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) also commonly referred to as the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is a long-term planning document for MPOs. The MTP analyzes the current infrastructure with needs that are currently deficient, anticipates growth areas, and forecasts revenue that will likely be available for projects. This document outlines the analysis of the area, highlighting key issues/areas and possible solutions. Additionally, these solutions are then tied to expected funding sources, to ensure the project list remains both feasible and cost restrained. The MTP is a 25-year planning document but is updated every five years per federal regulations. The last MTP (2045) was adopted by the MPO’s Policy Board on September 30, 2020.
Transportation Improvement Program
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a required planning document the MPO must compile, adopt, and maintain. The TIP is essentially a short-range planning document that covers a period of four years. This document lists any project that will expend federal dollars on transportation-related projects. This includes but isn’t limited to, multi-use trails, sidewalks, new capacity projects, bridges, transit funding (both capital and operating), safety projects, and resurfacing (pavement preservation). Each project listed in the TIP is financially feasible and includes a plan of implementation toward construction/completion. The TIP follows an adoption timeline that mirrors the Arkansas Department of Transportation’s (ARDOT) Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) schedule. In each TIP, you will find verbiage related to federal/state statutes, as well as a list of projects, funding sources, amounts, and a year for when the project is likely to receive funding.
Unified Planning Work Program
The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is a budgetary document for the MPO, which lists all tasks and activities staff will perform throughout the fiscal year, including any associated expenses. The MPO is required by federal statute to develop and maintain a UPWP every year. The UPWP is typically updated beginning in February/March and is typically adopted in May. The UPWP utilizes a Fiscal Year (FY) beginning July 1st and ending June 30th. The most recent UPWPs can be found below.
Public Participation Plan
The Tri-Lakes Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is committed to ensuring all individuals are provided with an opportunity to actively participate in the planning process. The MPO pursues input throughout the transportation planning process through the use of social media, traditional media (newspaper), email blasts, and presentations. The MPO is required by federal regulations to document the ways in which staff will seek out public input. Therefore, the Public Participation Plan (PPP) is a document for the MPO that highlights all activities, methods, and strategies staff will use to garner feedback from the public. The most current PPP can be found below.