Certification Documents
Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) prepare three major documents as part of
the metropolitan transportation planning (3C) process:
- The Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) – The LRTP includes a discussion of an MPO´s transportation
policies and goals, an assessment of the current state of the region´s transportation system,
estimates of future needs and resources, and a description of a detailed program for preserving
and expanding the system over a period of 20 or more years. The Boston Region MPO produces its
LRTP every four years and adopted its current
Plan, Paths to a Sustainable Region, in September 2011.
- The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – The TIP implements the LRTP by allocating funding
for transportation system improvements over a four-year period. A project must be designated for funding
(programmed) in the TIP in order for it to receive federal funds. The Boston Region TIP lists all federally
funded transit projects and all state and federally funded highway and bridge projects. While an annual update
is not required by federal regulations, the Boston Region MPO updates its
TIP every year.
- The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) – The
UPWP is produced annually; it outlines the planning
projects, activities, funding sources, and budgets for one federal fiscal year.
The Boston Region MPO conducts an extensive public participation program to support the development of these documents,
which are required by the federal government in order for an MPO to be certified to be eligible to receive
federal transportation capital funds. The documents must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration
and Federal Transit Administration. The Boston Regions Plan and TIP are also reviewed by the federal Environmental Protection
Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection for air quality conformity.
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