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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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Insert MPO/RPO/Div Figure here
 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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 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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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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 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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 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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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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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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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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 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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 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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Southwestern RPO: NC 107 Corridor Study
This 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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◦ NCDOT-MPO-RPO Coordination;
◦ Doing More With Less;
◦ Regional Project Coordination;
◦ NCDOT Division Planning Engineers;
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Questions?
Elina Zlotchenko
MPO/RPO Program Manager
Tel: 919-707-0922
E-mail: ezlotchenko@ncdot.gov