What is the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization?
The Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, commonly called OahuMPO, is responsible for coordinating transportation planning on Oahu.
Federal Law
The Federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1973 (see Code of Federal Regulations Chapter 23 Part 450) required the formation of a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for any urbanized area with a population greater than 50,000.
This mandate was based on the need to ensure that existing and future expenditures for transportation projects and programs were based on a comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing (3-C) planning process. Federal funding for transportation projects and programs are channeled through this planning process.
State Legislation
OahuMPO was created by the State Legislature in 1975 through the passage of Chapter 279E, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
Although OahuMPO serves as the metropolitan planning organization for the two urbanized areas on Oahu (Honolulu and Kailua-Kaneohe), OahuMPO coordinates transportation planning for the entire island.
Agency Coordination
The responsibilities of OahuMPO and its participating agencies are identified in a Comprehensive Agreement signed by the Governor, City transit operator (via the Honolulu City Council Chair), and the OahuMPO Policy Committee Chair.
OahuMPO's function is to coordinate the activities of the “3-C” transportation planning process on Oahu. The implementation of the projects is done largely by the City and the State planning and transportation departments, which are OahuMPO’s participating agencies:
Directive
OahuMPO’s directive focuses upon the development of plans and programs to produce an integrated intermodal surface transportation system. As such, OahuMPO does not construct projects or implement programs. These functions are the responsibility of the State and City agencies.
Who is OahuMPO?
OahuMPO is composed of four parts:
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee is the “heart” of the OahuMPO planning process. It sets the policy and direction for OahuMPO and makes the final approval on OahuMPO matters.
The Policy Committee consists of 13 members:
Technical Advisory Committee
The Technical Advisory Committee provides advice to the Policy Committee and OahuMPO Executive Director on technical matters, and ensures the technical competence of the planning process.
The TAC consists of high-level staff representatives from each of OahuMPO’s participating agencies. In addition, the following representatives attend as non-voting members:
TAC meetings are open to the public; however, discussions are very technical in nature. Members of the public who wish to get more involved can attend CAC meetings-which are more geared towards general public involvement.
Citizen Advisory Committee
The Citizen Advisory Committee is the foundation of OahuMPO’s public involvement program. The CAC provides public input to the Policy Committee and OahuMPO Executive Director on transportation planning issues. As such, the CAC is involved early in the process-often meeting face-to-face with agency representatives.
The CAC is how citizens can really get involved in the transportation planning process. The CAC members include community organizations, professional associations, neighborhood boards, special interest groups, and transportation providers.
Any organization can become a member of the CAC by attending four meetings within a 12-month period. All CAC meetings are open to the public; and participation from all citizens is welcome. Meetings are typically held on the third Wednesday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in downtown Honolulu.
What are OahuMPO’s Responsibilities?
OahuMPO is responsible for identifying Oahu’s future transportation needs and programming the federal funds for such projects and programs. This is achieved primarily through the development of the following documents:
Oahu Regional Transportation Plan
The Oahu Regional Transportation Plan is a long-term vision document that outlines transportation goals, objectives, and policies for Oahu. The ORTP guides future development of the major surface transportation facilities and programs. The 20 year horizon of the plan incorporates forecasted population, housing, employment, environmental, land-use, and technology changes. Based upon projected transportation needs, financial resources, and community input, the ORTP identifies short-range and long-range strategies and actions to promote the development of an integrated intermodal surface transportation system that facilitates the safe, efficient, and economic movement of people and goods. It also identifies specific highway and transit projects that are designed to improve safety, reduce congestion, and increase mobility for Oahu's residents and visitors. The ORTP is updated every five years.
Overall Work Program
The Overall Work Program serves as the key management tool for monitoring State and City transportation activities on Oahu. It describes transportation-related planning studies to be conducted in a given year. The OWP defines project objectives and tasks and identifies budgetary and staff requirements needed to carry out the projects. In addressing current transportation issues and problems, the OWP responds to local planning requirements, federal transportation priorities, and federal requirements. The OWP also includes land use studies as they relate to transportation needs. A draft OWP is prepared each winter and submitted for review in March. After considerable review and revision by citizens and Federal and local agencies, a final OWP is adopted in late spring for the next fiscal year.
Transportation Improvement Program
The Transportation Improvement Program is a short-term, three-year implementation program for federally-assisted surface transportation projects that will be undertaken by the State and City. Projects in the TIP must be consistent with the ORTP. The TIP also describes and prioritizes federally-assisted and major locally-funded transportation programs and projects approved by the OahuMPO Policy Committee for implementation during the program period. The TIP identifies funding amounts by source of funding, jurisdictional responsibility, type of project, and year of funding for these projects. Thus, the TIP is an important reference document. The TIP undergoes an annual review and a major biennial update, with amendments considered as needed.
Where Can I Get More Information?
A handbook called The OahuMPO Participation Plan (OPP) was developed to describe how OahuMPO communicates with the public prior to and during the development of its transportation plans and programs.
The OPP is designed to help members of the public understand:
The OPP focuses on those aspects and areas of transportation planning that fall within OahuMPO’s purview. This includes both long- and short-range conceptual planning of facilities and programs.
For more information about OahuMPO, please contact:
OahuMPO
Ocean View Center
707 Richards Street, Suite 200
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 587-2015
Fax: (808) 587-2018
E-mail: OahuMPO@OahuMPO.org