Regional Planning Commission’s Stake in Missouri’s Roadway Safety

??What is an RPC?? Regional Planning Organizations RPCs, COGs, RPAs, RPOs Made possible through the Regional Planning and Community Development Act of 1966. The founding legislation was drafted to assist local units of government in addressing issues on a regional basis. Missouri has 19 RPCs

Missouri’s RPCs and MODOT 1991 the Intermodel Surface Transportation Equity Act (ISTEA) made it mandatory that all States have Regional Transportation Plans and regional Transportation Advisory Committees Required the a partnership between MoDOT and MACOG TEA-21 and SAFETEA-LU reinforced this partnership

Coming Together February thru April 1994 – Letters and resolutions received supporting joint transportation activities May 1994 – MHTC approves action that allows MoDOT to enter agreements with RPCs August 1994 – Final Agreements with RPCs

History of The Regional Transportation Plans MoDOT and MACOG (Missouri Assoc. of Council of Governments) realized they needed a consistent document that was dynamic, and justified as well as documented the recommendations for each region. MoDOT’s new planning document, called the Planning Framework offered a way for MoDOT and MACOG to collaborate on a Regional Transportation Plan.

Planning Framework The Goal To develop a process in which local officials and the general public could understand how decisions are made, participate in the process and be able to influence the decisions

Identifying Safety Issues RPCs gather needs from the public and locally elected officials for the RTP Surveys Calls from concerned citizens TAC meetings Safety issues in the Regions are a common need

TAC The RPC’s TACs then prioritize these needs They are sent on to MoDOT Put through weights and measurements High ranking needs work their way on to the STIP Other needs identified may be addressed with maintenance or safety funds

RPC’s and Blueprint Many RPCs have a representative on their regions Blueprint Committee Missouri’s Blueprint Committees are dedicated to the purpose of reducing Missouri’s roadway fatalities by 1,000 in 2008. RPCs help identify safety issues disperse information from the Blueprint to the local Communities Support legislation that increases roadway safety

Addressing Safety Issues Grants Enhancement program & CDBG Grants Helps provide sidewalks/walking trails to get kids off street Other types of support Highway 36