TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
WITH NWARPC AS THE MPO

A basic planning activity of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC) is its function as a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).  Each governmental unit and transportation agency in the metropolitan portion of the Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) can participate in transportation planning.  This is done by executing letters of agreement to participate between the entity and NWARPC, the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  The participants appoint people to represent their entity in the planning process.  These appointments are usually made by the Mayor, County Judge or Chief Executive Official.  

The MPO has a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and a Policy Committee.  The TAC develops the technical aspects of plans and reports and makes recommendations to the Policy Committee.  TAC members are usually professionals who are involved in the technical side of transportation.  The Policy Committee members make the MPO's final decisions.

These Committees make up the Northwest Arkansas Regional Transportation Study (NARTS).  Three documents are the principal NARTS products.  (1) The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is produced each year, (2) the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) every two years, and (3) the Long Range Regional Transportation Plan is to be updated every three to five years.

  The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) outlines the MPO's annual work activities.  In this document, the TAC and Policy Committee reviews and approves projects to submit to AHTD for final approval.

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) contains all commitments for state and federal transportation funding for a three year period in the Metro Area.  In developing the TIP, the TAC and Policy Committee reviews projects submitted by cities, counties, citizens, and transit providers within the Metro Area.  This review also includes representatives from the AHTD and FHWA.  After discussion, the TAC prioritizes the projects and recommends a three-year listing to the Policy Committee for approval.  No Federal expenditures can be made on transportation facilities within the NARTS Metro Area unless they are listed in the TIP.  The TIP is a major tool for shaping the Region's transportation system.

The current Long Range Plan is the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan for Metropolitan Northwest Arkansas.  This Plan provides a long range, comprehensive look at the Region's transportation needs and implementation strategies considering financial constraints.