The Changing Dynamics of RPOs in North Carolina.RPO Evaluation Process - the North Carolina Experiment.

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Elina Zlotchenko

Transportation Planning Branch

North Carolina Department of Transportation

What is an RPO?

What areas do they cover?

Why were they established?

How are they structured?

What are their duties and responsibilities?

What does it mean to stakeholders?

What are Issues RPOs are facing in NC?

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NC RPOs

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Insert MPO/RPO/Div Figure here

NC MPO/RPO MAP

2000 - GS 136-210 through 213 directed NCDOT to study RPOs

2001 – Based on results of study, NCDOT began forming RPOs◦ Between 2001 and 2003, 20 RPOs were established

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Law Establishing RPOs

Contiguous areas of three to fifteen counties or a total population of the entire area represented of at least 50K.

◦ Metropolitan Planning Organizations areas shall not be included

◦ Not all municipalities in a proposed RPO must join the organization but the county must be a member in the RPO.

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Definition of RPO

The RPOs assist NCDOT and local governments in the transportation planning process through four core duties as defined by North Carolina General Statutes:

◦ Assist the Department in developing Comprehensive Transportation Plans (CTPs)

◦ Provide a forum for public participation in the transportation planning and project development processes

◦ Develop and prioritize projects the organization believes should be included in the STIP

◦ Provide transportation related information to local governments

◦ Other duties as determined.

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RPO Responsibilities

Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)◦ Local Elected Officials◦ BOT Area Representative◦ FHWA advisory non-voting member◦ Tribal Governments ◦ Other members designated by the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)

Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC)◦ Member Government(s) Staff Representatives◦ NCDOT◦ FHWA◦ Transit Providers◦ Other Agencies

LPA◦ Designated Staff (City, County or COG)

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RPO Structure

Federal State Planning And Research Funds with 20% local match

Total $1.9 million/year; ~$84k-$104k per RPO

Census 2010 Results (2012)◦ Changes in planning organization boundaries

Expanding MPO boundaries and formation of two new MPOs – Grand Strand MPO and New Bern MPOs – RPO Funding Level Change

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RPO Funding Sources in NC

Examples of products and services provided by the RPOs include but are not limited to:

◦ Data Collection & Assessment (Highway, Rail, Bike/Ped, Transit, Freight);◦ Environmental & Land Use Data Inventory and Assessment;◦ Demographic Data Collection and Assessment;◦ Socioeconomic Data Inventory;◦ Demographic Data Collection and Assessment◦ Comprehensive Transportation Plans Development Assistance;◦ Local TIP Prioritization and Program Development;◦ Regional and Statewide Planning;◦ Special Studies;◦ CMAQ Planning Assistance;◦ Research and identification of alternative funding opportunities, grant writing

assistance;◦ TITLE VI & Environmental Justice Assessment;

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RPO - Products and Services

Updated Annually:◦ Yearly Planning Work Program;◦ Five-Year Calendar;◦ Quarterly Report Packages;◦ Final Yearly Narrative;◦ CTP List of Study Needs;◦ TIP Project Prioritization List.

Updated on as-needed basis:◦ Memorandum of Understanding (MOU);◦ Funding Agreement;◦ Bylaws; ◦ Prospectus;◦ Public Involvement Plan or Policy (PIP).

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Standard Documents

All work products are subject to review on the basis of quality and recipient satisfaction. o The purpose of program evaluation is to ensure that high quality RPO services are being

provided and to identify areas for potential improvement. o Concerns identified through the survey process are tracked yearly by RPO and TPB

staff to ensure adequate progress is made toward resolving related issues. o Consistently poor evaluation results or inadequate progress on identified issues may

result in a request by NCDOT for alternate staffing or a change of the LPA.

Products are:

Differentiated Between: Technical & Non-Technical

AND

Rated in Two Categories: Quality & Timeliness

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RPO Evaluation Process

Technical Products

◦ Expectations: The RPO pursues excellence in delivering projects, programs, services, and initiatives and produces products that possess accurate information, require minimal redo iterations, and contain complete elements useful in decision-making.

◦ Examples: Data Collection, GIS Layers, Maps, Technical Reports, CTP Technical Support, etc.

◦ Delivery Rating (Quality)3 Best practice, sets new standard or innovative

2 Stands by itself, contains appropriate/required information/data, is clearly presented and is accurate

1 Contains missing, inaccurate, and/or unusable information/data

◦ Delivery Rating (Timeliness)

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RPO Evaluation Process (Cont.)

Non-Technical Products

◦ Expectations: The RPO pursues excellence in delivering projects, programs, services, and initiatives and produces products that possess accurate Information, require minimal redo iterations, and contain complete elements useful in decision-making.

◦ Examples: Meeting Minutes, Meeting Agendas, Public Notices, Press Releases, Grant Applications, Website Development/Maintenance, etc.

◦ Delivery Rating:

Received

Not Received

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RPO Evaluation Process (Cont.)

Southwestern RPO: NC 107 Corridor StudyThis study is examining existing conditions along NC 107 in order to assist the community with developing a unified vision of the corridor and to create a list of strategies and recommendations that will improve the overall quality of transportation, enhance economic viability, and preserve the natural resources. http://www.regiona.org/transportation-planning-rpo/jackson-county/

Kerr-Tar RPO: North Carolina Lakes District Blueways

This Plan is intended as a guide advocates may use to further expand the development of a formal network of blueways in the Kerr-Tar region to complement other tourism and recreation initiatives. It focuses on combining a regional Bike and Pedestrian plan through the Lakes Region with a Blueways Plan that utilizes recreational routes through the Lakes and Rivers of the region. It promotes use of multi-use and multi-modal facilities and doubles as a marketing initiative for regional tourism.

http://www.nclakesdistrict.com/blueways-plan.html

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RPO Example Projects

◦ NCDOT-MPO-RPO Coordination;

◦ Doing More With Less;

◦ Regional Project Coordination;

◦ NCDOT Division Planning Engineers;

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Working Together

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Questions?

Elina ZlotchenkoMPO/RPO Program Manager

Tel: 919-707-0922E-mail: ezlotchenko@ncdot.gov