Federal law requires the formation of an “MPO” for any urbanized area with a population of more than 50,000.  The Roanoke Valley Area Metropolitan Planning Organization was created in 1979 to plan and budget the use of federal transportation dollars in the Roanoke region.  There are currently 14 MPOs in Virginia.  The U.S. Department of Transportation recognizes the Roanoke Valley Area MPO as the entity responsible for transportation-related planning within the Roanoke urbanized area boundary.

The population of the Roanoke Valley Area MPO Study Area is approximately 223,000, and covers the Cities of Roanoke and Salem, the Town of Vinton, and the urbanized portions of the Counties of Bedford, Botetourt and Roanoke.

Financial support comes primarily from federal transportation funding, with matching funds provided by the six member localities and the Virginia Department of Transportation. 

Planning and administrative staff is provided by the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, which also serves as the fiscal agent.

Membership/Committees

MPO activities are directed by a 15-member Policy Board that establishes regional transportation  policy, approves the Long-Range Transportation Plan and the Transportation Improvement Program, defines committee duties, and adopts an annual planning work program.  The voting members of the Policy Board include representatives from the six member localities, as well as the Greater Roanoke Transit Company, the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, and the Virginia Department of Transportation.  In addition, ex-officio (non-voting) members include the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration.  

Two standing committees assist the Roanoke Valley Area MPO Policy Board:

• The Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) is responsible for making recommendations to the MPO  Policy Board on all transportation plans   and programs in the region.  The TTC    also develops and reviews documents, amendments, and reports.
• The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) provides a citizen’s perspective on the impact of transportation plans in the region and advises the MPO Policy Board  on the public participation plan.

Public Participation

Public participation plays a key role in the planning process.  Federal regulations stress enhanced public involvement.  In order to comply with these mandates, the Roanoke Valley Area MPO developed a Public Involvement Policy.

The purpose of the plan is to identify a proactive public involvement process for the planning efforts undertaken by the MPO.  This includes, but is not limited to, adherence to state and federal regulations regarding public notices and public hearings, complete access to information barring legal or fiduciary restraints, input to key decisions, development of demographic profiles for respective study areas of the MPO, and development and deployment of innovative public involvement strategies.

Key Functions of the MPO

The Roanoke Valley Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) develops three key documents that are the backbone of transportation planning and programming in the region — the Long- Range Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, and the Unified Planning Work Program.

• The Long-Range Transportation Plan  (LRTP) guides the region in creating a more efficient, responsive and environmentally-sensitive transportation system over the next 20+ years.  The plan examines transportation trends/issues and offers a list of specific projects for addressing the region’s mobility needs. 

• The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)  is a four-year schedule of all federally-funded and regionally-significant transportation projects to be implemented in the MPO region.  It functions like a budget and projects can only be funded if they are consistent with the goals of the Long-Range Transportation Plan.  The TIP is updated each year. 

• The Unified Planning Work Program  (UPWP) is a one-year schedule of all transportation planning activities that will be performed using state and federal planning funds.  Project suggestions can originate from any of the participating members of the Roanoke Valley Area MPO, as well as the public.  The MPO Policy Board, with advice from the Transportation Technical Committee, makes the final decision on which projects are included in the UPWP.