OKLAHOMA REGIONAL

TRANSPORTATION

PLANNINGIsaac Akem, Community Planner

U.S, Dept. of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

Oklahoma Division

Alex Damon, Community Development Specialist

South Western Oklahoma Development Authority

NADO

2014 National Rural Transportation Conference

Dec. 3, 2014

• Regional transportation planning is a collaborative

process designed to foster participation by all

interested parties, such as business community,

community groups, elected officials, and the

general public, through a proactive public

participation process. Emphasis by the Federal

Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal

transit administration (FTA) is placed on extending

public participation to include people who have

been traditionally underserved by the

transportation system and services in the region.

Regional Transportation Planning

Oklahoma’s Primary Industries

• Gas, Oil, & Wind (energy industry)

• Agriculture

Oklahoma Population

• State: 3,751, 351

– Minus 10 largest cities: 2,708,862

Rural populations are GROWING in mid-

sized communities: transportation

issues have been and will continue to

be a growing concern.

Data: US Census 2010

Population

Density

and

Changes

History & Structure

• Three RTPO “Pilots”

• Established by the Oklahoma Department Transportation (ODOT) in Collaboration with:

• Oklahoma Association of Regional Councils (OARC)

– Southwest Oklahoma Rural Transportation Planning Organization (SORTPO)

– Central Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CORTPO)

– Northern Oklahoma Rural Transportation Planning Organization (NORTPO)

RTPO Collaboration

• ODOT PLANNING DIVISION

• OARC

• COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

• LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

• FHWA-OK DIVISION

• STEERING COMMITTEE

• Technical Committee• Local Planners, Engineers

• Economic Development Officials

• Street Commissioners;

• Others

• Steering Committee• RTPO Staff, Consultant(s), ODOT;

• Coordinates for three RTPOs

Organization Structure

• Policy Board • Municipal and County Decision Makers

• Modal Representatives

– Federal SPR (Planning)

– Local Governments

– OARC

– Potential Funding Opportunities:– Federal & State Transit Funding

– Tribal Sources

– Fee for Service

Funding Sources

Planning Activities & Products

• Local Data Collection & Analysis

• Long-Range Transportation Plan

(LRTP)

• Planning Work Program (PWP)

• Public Participation Plan (PPP)

Rural Resource Centers

• Leadership in Rural Development

• Technical Assistance

– Transportation Planning

– Rural Government Capacity Building

– Resource for ODOT & Private Sector

– Grant Procurement, Administration

– Success Attracts Requests for

Assistance

CHALLENGES

Mindset: perceived “turf” issues”

Future Sustainability

Funding (Federal, State, Local)

Staffing and Training (turnover)

Federal Legislation

Capacity Constraints

“Light at the end of the tunnel”!

QUESTIONS???

RTPOS IN OKLAHOMA

– Website: www.sortpo.org

– Mailing address:

Alex Damon Isaac N Akem

SWODA FHWA-Oklahoma Division

420 Sooner Drive 5801 N. Robinson, Suite 300

Burns Flat, OK 73624 Oklahoma City, OK 73118

alex@swoda.org isaac.akem@dot.gov

All meeting facilities shall meet ADA regulations for accessibility.

Translator for non-English speaking or disability will be provided by contacting the host agency with 48 hour advance notice.

CONTACT INFORMATION