TIP Short Range Plan

Both the state DOT, which oversees transportation projects statewide, and MPOs are required to submit two types of plans a long range and short range plan to continue to receive federal transportation funds. The long-range transportation plan forecasts transportation needs for the next 25 years. The long-range plan list the goals, visions and projected transportation projects for the region. This plan will analyze what will happen in the next 25 years if current trends continue, and subsequently propose actions to be implemented in order to relieve congestion, maintain air quality, and improve our quality of life. The long-range plan will help guide decisions about which transportation projects to fund and implement in the short range plan or Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). As mentioned before under federal law, all metropolitan areas with a population of more than 50,000 must have a metropolitan transportation plan. The MTP allows metropolitan areas to access federal funds. In addition, if no long term transportation planning was done, and the future was not prepared for, the existing infrastructure of our metropolitan area might not be able to handle increases in population, employment, or traffic, possibly leading to increased congestion, air pollution and other problems.