A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is, by federal law, designated by the governor of each state for every urban area with at least 50,000 residents. MPOs develop solutions to regional transportation problems and address other important issues such as land use, air quality, energy, economic development, commerce, and quality of life.

Each MPO develops a long-range regional transportation plan to guide transportation decision making and activities. The MPO also develops a short-range program of projects, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), to be implemented with federal transportation funds. For each project, the MPO's responsibility is to engage many stakeholders, including the general public, in the planning process. By creating a vision for the region in the long-range plan and by identifying projects and investments that help achieve that vision, the MPO ensures that scarce federal transportation funds are wisely invested.

The New York State Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (NYSAMPO) is a coalition of the fourteen MPOs in New York State that work together toward common goals, coordinate with New York State, and identify best practices in the transportation plannning process.

The Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) provides CDTC with critical federal policy advocacy, technical assistance, training, and access to a collaborative network of MPOs for peer-exchange and knowledge building.

Want to learn more about MPOs and the federal transportation planning process? Watch below.