External link: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/tmip/publications/other_reports/mpo_peer_exchange/mpo00.cfm
Publication date: September 1, 2012
Capsule summary: This research looked at current data collection practices for small Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) through a peer exchange.
Author(s): Federal Highway Administration
Publisher(s): Federal Highway Administration
Definition: Modeling travel demand
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/research-theme/demand/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
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Definition: Examining the use of performance-based planning methods and their outcomes
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/research-theme/pdp/
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Definition: Data analysis techniques for transportation planning
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/research-theme/data/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
TRID Search Results Page: https://trid.trb.org/results.aspx?tc=NN:Xbka
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Definition: A federally funded transportation policy-making organization, comprised of local government representatives and transportation authorities
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/org/mpo/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
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Definition: Governmental agency focused on transportation
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/org/dot/
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Definition: A group of regional governing bodies
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/org/cog/
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Definition: Report published by a governmental body or other organization (e.g. FHWA, NAS, etc.)
Digest Search Results Page: https://www.planningdigest.com/resource-type/report/
Corresponding TRID/TRT Terms
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Description: The primary focus of this research was identifying challenges and presenting solutions that are uniquely faced as small MPO’s attempt to get qualitative data. The peer exchange focused on helping small MPO’s and State DOT’s, specifically those looking to make changes. The team looked both at the collection of data by small MPO’s and the way an MPO is organized.
Objectives: The primary objective of the peer exchange was to identify cost-effective data collection and analysis techniques that would be feasible for small MPO’s to employ. Additionally, the peer exchanged hoped to make recommendations about the structure of an organization to ensure that small MPO’s are running as smoothly as possible.
Findings: Through the peer review, it was found that small MPO’s must find creative, inexpensive ways to collect data, for example using GPS or smartphone data to get traffic data instead of commissioning an agency to collect it for them. Once the data has been received the MPO must make simple, strategic calculations to inform their decisions instead of the newest techniques. Additionally, the peer review yielded that the employees at small MPO’s must be both knowledgeable about the policies and decision makers but also have the ability to work effectively with data.
Recommendations: As small MPO’s begin to use analysis to inform policy decisions, it is recommended that simple calculations that gives information on specific metrics. Additionally, the peer review encourages the analysis of additional metrics, such as operations and safety. Finally, the results of the peer review recommend that at least three employees are a part of the MPO as well as utilizing universities for input on modeling.
Research Theme: Innovative Data Analysis, Performance-Based Planning, Travel Demand Modeling
Community Type: City, Small City
Transportation Mode:
Planning Scope:
Organization Type: CoG, DOT, MPO or RPO
Planning Subject: Analysis, Evaluation and Assessment, Facility or Land Use, Forecasting, Planning Methods, Transportation Planning