Your Lexington Area MPO – LAMPO
What is an MPO?
A Metropolitan Planning Organization is a federally required organization focused on getting people and things from point A to point B safely and in a reasonable amount of time. MPOs forecast transportation challenges 25 years into the future and recommending ways to address those challenges with projects and strategies that the region can reasonably afford. LAMPO’s new forecast year is 2050.
Who are we and what do we do?
Federal law requires any Census-defined urban area with 50,000 or more people to have an MPO – the LAMPO regional population is expected to reach 500,000 by 2045. We are focused on regionally significant transportation, so we work in both Fayette and Jessamine Counties.
LAMPO includes full-time staff, advisory committees made up of transportation professionals and partner organizations, and a decision-making board. All together, we focus on the three Ps: plans, projects, and policy. LAMPO sets goals, decides on improvements, and works for good mobility choices for everyone in our region. As a team, we gather data and listen to the community to:
- Better understand and respond to present challenges
- Estimate future opportunities
- Guide regional spending on transportation
A day in the life of LAMPO
When it comes to moving around our community, there are lots of different needs and interests, but all are equally important! As your local MPO, we make it possible for different viewpoints to be at the same table to make sure everyone’s needs are considered. We gather the latest information and create opportunities for public input. We share this information with local leaders to help guide their decision-making. To do this well, we use the expertise of three specialized committees:
- Transportation Technical Coordinating Committee – TTC
- Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee – BPAC
- Congestion Management & Air Quality Committee – CMAQ
MPO staff share this expertise – plus things like new research and regulatory changes – with our decision-making board, the Transportation Policy Committee (TPC). The TPC makes decisions and guides action based on community input, data, and best practice recommendations from MPO staff. We strive to make sure all projects and programs for transportation are grounded in local priorities and shared goals. To help ensure success, we also make sure there is realistic funding available to support and implement these projects and programs.
