Introduction
“The Secretary shall-- (i) ensure that the metropolitan planning process in each
transportation management area is being carried out in accordance with
applicable provisions of Federal law; and (ii)... certify, not less often than
once every 3 years, that the requirements of this paragraph are met with
respect to the transportation management area.” 23 U.S.C. 134(i)(5)(A)
very urban area in the
According to the 2000 Census, the
2004 Certification Review
The primary purpose of the
Federal Certification Review is to ensure that the MPO process is
satisfactorily implementing the planning requirements of 23 U.S.C. 134 and 49
U.S.C. 5303. The recommendations that
result from the review hopefully will improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of the planning process. There are also
broader benefits to the review. The
Federal reviewers try to identify good or innovative practices to share with
other states and metropolitan planning organizations.
The
previous certification review and site visit of CDTC was conducted in
November 2000. Subsequent to that
review, the FHWA and FTA fully certified CDTC as meeting the federal
transportation planning requirements, with several examples of “best practice”
being cited, as well as several recommendations for consideration.[2]
The 2004 certification review
officially began in February 2004 with the joint FHWA/FTA letter to CDTC that
informed the MPO about the upcoming review. (Appendix A) and identified the
primary topics of the review. The review
dates were previously coordinated with Mr. John Poorman, CDTC Central Staff
director. The
Before the on-site visit, the FHWA and FTA conducted an internal desk audit of CDTC material, including the CDTC 2003 self-certification statement, Unified Planning Work Program, Transportation Improvement Program and New Visions transportation plan.
Site Visit
On
The on-site review occurred at the CDTC offices. The discussion was primarily with Mr. John Poorman (CDTC staff director) and individual members of the staff. All CDTC member agencies were welcome to attend; representatives from the Capital District Transportation Authority, NYSDOT Main Office, and NYSDOT Region One Office did participate as they thought appropriate.
Public Input
Each MPO has its
own method for conducting its public involvement process. We were very impressed with CDTC’s approach during the review and during attendance at
the regular CDTC public meetings.
Similar to the 2000
certification review, a public meeting was not specifically scheduled because
of the widespread local participation efforts and the lack of public
controversy about transportation issues in general, and the CDTC process in
particular. Three of the Federal review
team live in the Capital District and are well aware of the
transportation-planning climate of the Region.
Therefore, the Review Team/CDTC made a joint decision not to hold a
public input meeting unless the public requested it. The public was apprised of the review via the
CDTC mailing list, and the offer to hold a public meeting upon request was advanced. The opportunity for written comment was also
advertised.
The review team
received six comments, one of which did include a request for a public meeting[4]. The thrust of the request was that a meeting
would be beneficial in informing the public about what planning efforts were
underway in the Capital District.
Because the purpose of review’s public meeting is to get input as to the
adequacy of the CDTC process in fulfilling Federal planning regulations, rather
than an informational discussion of ongoing planning efforts, the federal team
decided not to hold a separate public meeting.
Partly in response to the request, however, we did recommend that CDTC consider
publishing a newsletter and revamping its website. The individual requesting the meeting was
sent a copy of this review and a letter of appreciation. All comments received were highly
complementary of CDTC.