Transportation Planning

As a Regional Transportation Planning Agency and Metropolitan Planning Organization, MCAG is the primary transportation facilitator in Merced County. Responsibilities are many, from identifying priority projects to assuring money accepted for improving transportation has been properly utilized. MCAG must also be in the forefront of coordinated regional transportation planning activities, and to do so effectively, requires the correct tools and program support. Work elements of the Transportation Planning Work Program seek to maintain a quality improvement program and provide additional means to successfully accomplish the goals and objectives established by the MCAG Governing Board.

Budget and Overall Work Program (OWP)

Transportation Planning Work Elements

• 1200 - Citizen Participation/Education and Intergovernmental Coordination
• 1460 - Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)
• 1470 - Air Quality Planning
• 1520 - Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP)
• 1530 - Traffic Modeling
• 1538 - High Speed Rail Coordination
• 1560 - San Joaquin Valley Transportation Coordination
• 1565 - Legislative Plan
• 1570 - Short Range Transit Plan
• 1610 - GIS Maintenance
• 1620 - Geographic Information System (GIS) Development
• 1630 - GIS Web Page / Internet Application
• 1645 - San Joaquin Valley Blueprint
• 1655 - Regional Transportation Impact Fee (RTIF)
• 1665 - Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP)
• 1670 - Transportation Demand Management (TDM) / Rideshare
• 1672 - SB 375 Model Improvement
• 1674 - Alternative Modes Planning
• 1680 - Transportation Expenditure Program (TEP)
• 1685 - Transportation Development Act Fund Administration

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

MCAG actively seeks public opinion on work programs and projects at all stages of the development process, and verifies that process with technical advisory meetings, and attendance at member entity council and subcommittee meetings. The purpose of MCAG’s citizen participation program is to ensure that the transportation planning process involves the general public and includes the traditionally underrepresented i.e. Black, Hispanic, Asian American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Pacific Islander.

MCAG has an active Citizens Advisory Committee to provide a forum for citizen input into programs and projects of MCAG, as well as a Social Services Transportation Advisory Council as required by SB 498 (Greene). MCAG also brings transportation issues to MCAG Board meetings, encouraging comments from the entire MCAG governing body. Verification of public input and MCAG policy option recommendations are carried out by the MCAG Technical Review Board (composed of City Managers and County Executive Officer), and the Technical Planning Committee (composed of public works and planning staff).

In response to SAFETEA-LU regulation, the MCAG Governing Board approved new guidelines for MCAG’s citizen participation process. The participation strategy provides guidance for transportation planning and programming activities conducted by MCAG.