Chapter 1 | Introduction
A Brief Introduction to Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Georgia has been growing rapidly. In 2010, Georgia had 9.7 million people. By 2015, that number had grown to 10.2 million, and the State is on pace to grow to 13.4 million by 2040. That’s over 31% more people in 25 years!
More people mean more housing, more trips to work and school, and more trucks and trains keeping our store shelves stocked and sending things we make out to customers. But, how do we do that in a way that is environmentally friendly, and everyone has a chance to participate in the decision process?
The solution is, to form an organization where elected officials, public agencies, and the people work together to plan for future traffic needs. This organization is called a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
MPOs are the forum where city and county governments, the State, and Federal agencies coordinate on regional transportation projects. This includes developing new transportation projects, serving as the forum for public participation, coordinating on environmental review, air quality and performing financial analysis. The Macon Area Transportation Study (MATS) is the MPO for Macon metropolitan area, covering all Macon-Bibb County, southwest Jones County, and a small portion of Monroe County. Figure 1-1 provides a map of the MATS MPO area, and Figure 1-2 shows all the MPOs across Georgia, as of 2012.
Figure 1-1: Overview of the MATS MPO Region
Figure 1-2: Distribution of MPOs Across Georgia
MPOs aren’t unique to Georgia; there are over 400 MPOs nationwide. MPOs were created in response to the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1962. As a result of this act, all Urbanized Areas with populations exceeding 50,000 persons were required to maintain a “continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive” transportation planning process involving all the local, State and Federal government partners. Over time, this mandate has grown to include monitoring and mitigation of impacts from transportation projects (e.g., maintaining clean air and water, protection of endangered species, environmental justice, etc.). A detailed discussion on MPO roles and activities can be found in The Transportation Planning Process Briefing Book, published by U.S. Federal Highway Administration.
How Did the MATS MPO Get Started?
MATS was originally founded on February 21, 1964, by designation of the Governor and adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between The City of Macon, the County of Bibb, the Municipality of Payne City, the Georgia State Highway Department (now the Georgia Department of Transportation) and the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission. The roles and responsibilities of MATS are covered by the MOU.
Over the years, MATS has expanded geographically to include portions of Jones County and Monroe County as a result of the region’s growth. Additionally, other agency partners such as the Middle Georgia Regional Commission and the Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority have also been added.
From time to time, the documents authorizing MATS need to be updated to reflect new circumstances. For example, the most recent changes to MATS happened in June 2015 and November 2015, when Payne City was removed from the MOU, and Macon-Bibb Industrial Authority replaced Payne City on the MATS Policy Committee (described below). This was done to account for the dissolution of Payne City by the Georgia Legislature, after the Macon-Bibb government consolidation in 2014.
What Does the MATS MPO Do?
Federal regulations call for an MPO to carry out a process for the metropolitan planning area that provides for consideration and implementation of projects, strategies, and services that will:
- Support the economic vitality of the United States, the States, non-metropolitan areas and metropolitan areas, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency;
- Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users;
- Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users;
- Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight;
- Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;
- Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes throughout the State for people and freight;
- Promote efficient system management and operation; and
- Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system
As part of this process, MATS staff (with input from Georgia DOT, U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Macon Transit Authority, and U.S. Federal Transit Administration) develops the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). Figure 1-3 below provides a visual overview of the relationship between these documents.
Figure 1-3: Relationship Between LRTP, TIP and UPWP Planning Documents
The Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) are, respectively, long and short term lists of specific transportation projects for the MATS planning area. The LRTP is designed to forecast demand for transportation services at least 20 years into the future, taking into account anticipated population growth, housing needs and employment goals for the region. The LRTP serves as the official list of federally funded transportation projects and priorities, throughout the MPO region. The number and priority of projects on that list can be altered, based on the procedures laid out in the MATS Public Participation Plan.
At the State level, all LRTP project lists throughout Georgia feed into the Long Range Statewide Transportation Program (LRSTP). As the name suggests, the LRSTP is a statewide plan that addresses projected travel demand for at least 20 years, taking into account State policies and strategies for promoting efficient development, protection of natural resources, and employment.
In contrast to the 20-year time horizon, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) covers a period of 4 fiscal years. Any project that is listed in the TIP receiving federal funding must already be listed in the LRTP. If a brand new project is to be added to the TIP, it must simultaneously be added to the LRTP.
The main difference between the TIP and the LRTP is that where the LRTP is a list of all projects, TIP projects are active and at various stages of execution (i.e., Preliminary Engineering, Right Of Way acquisition, or Under Construction). The federally required update period for the TIP is every 4 years, although States and MPOs can have policies to update more frequently if they see fit.
Finally, the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is the list of federally funded studies and ongoing activities, plus any supplementary planning projects identified by Georgia DOT and the MATS board members. This set of planning projects is revised each fiscal year. Among the usual tasks supported in the UPWP, MATS develops demographic data, land use information, and analyses necessary for the development and monitoring of the Long-Range Transportation Plan and the Transportation Improvement Program.
The UPWP, TIP, and LRTP are all public documents, available to the public on the MATS website (https://www.mats2040.org), at the public library, the Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning Commission, the Middle Georgia Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Transportation local office.
How is MATS Funded?
MATS is funded through local, State and Federal funding sources. At the Federal level, MATS is supported by annual grants from the Federal Highway Administration (through the “PL Grant” program) and the Federal Transit Administration (through the “5303 Grant” program).[2] These funds are authorized by the U.S. Congress, administered locally through Georgia Dept. of Transportation (Georgia DOT), and constitute 80% of the MATS budget. The remaining 20% is made up through State and local matching funds. In the case of 5303 Grant funds, there is an additional requirement that the 20% local match be split evenly between the State and local government (i.e., 10% each).
As with any type of federal funding, MATS is required to report on its activities supported by the funds on a regular basis. Each quarter, MATS submits grant activity reports to the Georgia DOT. Figure 1-3 describes the relationships between Federal funding, MPO activities, and reporting requirements.
[1] MATS fiscal year (FY) runs from July 1 of the previous year through June 30 of the current year. For example, FY 2017 runs from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. FY 2018 will begin July 1, 2017.
[2] “PL Grant” and “5303 Grant” are shorthand for the federal processes that guide how MATS is funded. “PL” indicates that the funding is tied to the Public Law process, meaning the funding is part of Congress passing a new federal transportation bill or re-authorizing an existing law. “5303” is a reference to U.S. Code Title 49, Sub. III Sec. 5303, which covers planning for public transportation systems as they relate to national policy goals.
Figure 1-4: MATS Funding and Reporting Relationships With Federal and State Agencies
Who Runs MATS?
Since inception, MATS has been composed of three committees; the Policy Committee (PC), the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC), and the Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC). The full MATS bylaws (and amendments) for all committees can be found on line at the main MATS website (www.mats2040.org).
All MATS meetings are open to the public. Meeting notifications are posted on the MATS website, as well as at the Macon-Bibb Government Center, and the Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission Office. Meetings are held quarterly, in the following sequence:
- CAC – Second Wednesday of the month immediately before a Policy Committee (PC) meeting;
- TCC – Third Wednesday of the month immediately before a Policy Committee (PC) meeting;
- PC – First Wednesday of the month in which the quarterly meeting is called
In addition to regularly scheduled meetings, specially called meetings may take place, at the discretion of the PC chair or the Director of the MPO. In the event of a special call meeting, notice will be posted on this website, as well as the Macon-Bibb Government Center and the Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission Office.
The staff of the Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission provides the technical support and planning expertise for MATS and its committees.
Policy Committee (PC) – The purpose of the PC is to “carry out a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive multimodal transportation planning process that includes the development of the Long Range Transportation Plan and the Transportation Improvement Program which serve to develop a safe and efficient surface transportation system for all modes of travel.” The PC is the board that formally adopts the LRTP, TIP and any other documents or positions that officially lay out MATS policies or directs staff activities.
The voting membership of the PC is comprised of the following:
-
Elected Officials
- Macon-Bibb County – Mayor, plus 3 commissioners
- Jones County – Commission Chair
- Monroe County – Commission Chair
-
Government Agency Representatives
- Chairman, Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority
- Chairman, Middle Georgia Regional Commission
- Chairman, Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission
- Chairman, Macon-Bibb County Water Authority
- Commissioner, Georgia Department of Transportation
- Chairman, Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC)
- Chairman, Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority
In addition to the voting members, the following participants are non-voting members:
- Eighth District Representative, Georgia State Transportation Board
- Second District Representative, Georgia State Transportation Board
- Executive Director, Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission
- Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration
- Chairman, Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority
- County Manager, Macon-Bibb County
- Macon-Bibb County Engineer
- Executive Director, Middle Ga. Regional Commission
- Local State Representative, State of Georgia
Regular meetings of the MATS Policy Committee are held quarterly. Meetings will be held on the first (1st) Wednesday of the month in which they are called. The usual meeting time and place for this meeting is:
Bibb County Engineering Annex Board Room
760 Third St.
Macon, GA 31201
9:30 a.m.
Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) – As the name suggests, this committee was created as the primary forum for citizen engagement, to gauge community values and public attitudes in the planning process. The membership of the CAC is currently set at 20 members:
- one from each of the 9 Macon-Bibb County Commission districts
- one member from Jones County
- one member from Monroe County
- one member from American Association of Retired Persons
- one member from Macon Housing Authority
- one member from Bibb County Board of Education
- one member from The League of Women Voters
-
one member each from the following interest areas
- Pedestrian/bike user
- Transit user
- Environmental interest group
- Disabled population
- Disabled transportation user
One special consideration of the CAC is that the chair of this committee also has a voting seat on the MATS Policy Committee (PC: described above), and a non-voting seat on the Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC: described below).
The regular meetings of the MATS CAC is the second (2nd) Wednesday of the month in which it is called. This is one week immediately preceding a normal Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) meeting. The usual meeting time and place for this meeting is:
Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission Office
682 Cherry St., Suite 1000
Macon, GA 31201
6:00 p.m.
Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) – This committee is comprised of agency staff from the MATS member jurisdictions, “to assist the MATS Policy Committee with collecting information, performing technical reviews, formulating recommendations, setting priorities, drafting MPO documents, maintaining MPO processes, and other matters as directed by the MATS Policy Committee.” The voting membership of the TCC is comprised of the following:
- Project Director, Macon Area Transportation Study
- Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission – Planning Director
- Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission – Transportation Planner
- Jones County Zoning Enforcement Officer
- Monroe County Zoning Enforcement Officer
- Macon-Bibb County Traffic Engineer
- Macon-Bibb County Sheriff’s Department
- Macon-Bibb County Engineer
- Macon-Bibb County Attorney
- Manager of Middle GA Regional Airport
- Macon-Bibb County Director of Facilities Management
- Macon-Bibb County Director of Economic and Community Development
- Transportation Planner, Georgia DOT Planning Office
- Transportation Planner, Georgia DOT Intermodal Office
- Pre-Construction Engineer, Thomaston District Office, Georgia DOT
- Planning Director, Middle Georgia Regional Commission
- Executive Director, Middle Georgia Regional Commission
- Director, Macon-Bibb Co. Water Authority
- Executive Director, Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority
- Director, Macon Transit Authority
- Executive Director, Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority
- Representative, Transportation Committee, Chamber of Commerce
- Executive Director, Macon-Bibb Co. Business Development Dept.
- Chief, Macon-Bibb Co. Fire Department
In addition to the voting members, the following participants are non-voting members:
- Intermodal Planning Engineer, Federal Highway Administration
- Area Engineer, Georgia DOT
- Chairman, Citizens Advisory Committee
- Urban Designer, Georgia DOT
- Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration
The regular meetings of the MATS TCC is the third (3rd) Wednesday of the month in which it is called. This is two weeks immediately preceding a normal Policy Committee meeting. The usual meeting time and place for this meeting shall be:
Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commission Office
682 Cherry St., Suite 1000
Macon, GA 31201
10:00 a.m.
Significant Changes Since the Original 2040 LRTP Adoption
The most significant change since the adoption of the original MATS 2040 LRTP is the improvement in our air quality status as determined by U.S. EPA and Georgia Environmental Protection Division (Georgia EPD).
The original MATS 2040 LRTP was adopted on November 20, 2013. At that time, the MATS area was already designated under the U.S. EPA 1997 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) as a “non-attainment” area, and subsequently a “maintenance” area, for ground-level ozone and fine particular matter (PM 2.5). On April 6, 2015 the 1997 NAAQS for ozone was revoked and replaced with the new 2008 standard, and on October 24, 2016, the 1997 NAAQS for PM 2.5 was replaced with the 2012 NAAQS standards. Due to the progress MATS, GDOT and Georgia EPD had made under the State Implementation Plan (SIP), the MATS area met the newer (more stringent) 2008 and 2012 NAAQS standards for ozone and PM 2.5, respectively. U.S. EPA Division 4 office notified MATS staff via e-mail on October 24, 2016, that the 1997 NAAQS PM 2.5 rule was no longer in effect, and that demonstration for transportation conformity was no longer binding.
As a result of this change, MATS staff anticipates that amending and reprioritizing projects in the 2040 LRTP update will be significantly easier and that the next LRTP can take place on a 5-year cycle.
Organization of This Document
The remaining sections of this document are organized as follows:
Chapter 2 describes the updated goals and objectives for the 2040 LRTP, in relation to the new federal emphasis on performance measures. This section provides an overview of relevant federal legislation and anticipated metrics that will be used to evaluate specific types of projects.
Chapter 3 describes the population and land use forecasts used to identify and prioritize transportation projects throughout the region. This section includes identification of zones where future population and job growth are anticipated.
Chapter 4 describes the public participation processes employed and observations collected as part of this LRTP Update process.
Chapter 5 describes the operations and management strategies employed throughout the MATS area, to make the most efficient and safe use of existing road infrastructure.
Chapter 6 describes lists the prioritized Road and Bridge projects identified in this 2040 LRTP update. This includes estimates of project costs and anticipated revenue sources, and demonstration of fiscal balancing
Chapter 7 describes the Transit projects identified in this 2040 LRTP update. This includes estimates of project costs and anticipated revenue sources, and demonstration of fiscal balancing.
Chapter 8 provides a detailed fiscal plan for the projects identified in Chapter 6 and 7.
At this time, the Road and Bridge projects account has an identified surplus of $97,773,648.86. The Transit projects account has an identified surplus of $14,316,635.57
Chapter 9 describes the Safety assessment of the MATS travels network in this 2040 LRTP update. This includes discussions of forthcoming safety performance measures.
Chapter 10 describes the bicycle and pedestrian projects identified in this 2040 LRTP update.
Chapter 11 describes the freight improvement and aviation projects identified in this 2040 LRTP update.
Chapter 12 describes the Planning Considerations applicable to this 2040 LRTP update for minority and disabled communities. This includes identification of populations which have been marginalized historically (e.g., Environmental Justice population groups, Limited English Proficiency) and discussion of all relevant civil rights legislation and Executive Orders bearing on protections for these groups.
[1] https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=PEP_2015_PEPANNRES&src=pt
[2] Based on population projections provided by Georgia Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (GA-OPB), 2015 data release. GA_OPB estimates can be obtained at: https://opb.georgia.gov/sites/opb.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/2015%20updated%20Population%20Projection%20Request.pdf
[3]https://www.planning.dot.gov/mpo.asp
[4]https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/census_issues/urbanized_areas_and_mpo_tma/faq/page01.cfm