Metropolitan Planning Organization
The Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is the group of local, elected officials, transit operators, and state officials who are responsible for the coordination of a planning process that results in a Long Range Plan (25 year) and a short term (four year) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Decisions are made through a process involving four committees which are managed by staff of the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB).
The MPO decides, in cooperation with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), what transportation projects are funded with the available local, state, and federal dollars. The MPO publishes priorities for transportation-related projects for various modes such as highways, transit, freight, and bicycle/pedestrian. Tools ranging from sophisticated computer models to old-fashioned town meetings are used to help determine which projects are funded.
To learn more about the MPO please view our MPO User Guide by clicking here.
The Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) for the MPO consists of 2,262 square miles that include 55 municipalities in all or a portion of four counties. A map is shown here.
For more information on how you can become involved contact the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham’s Offices at (205) 251-8139. Fax (205) 328-3304 or send us a message using our contact form.
MPO agreements
The MPO, ALDOT, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, MPO, Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority, and Jefferson County Department of Health have entered into an agreement to provide a comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing (3-C Agreement) planning process that describes each of these entities’ respective roles and responsibilities.
A copy of the October 12, 2021 financial agreement between ALDOT and the RPCGB (acting on behalf of the MPO) can be found here.
A copy of the September 21, 2022 Alabama Performance Management Agreement between ALDOT, the Birmingham MPO and BJCTA related to transportation performance data sharing and coordination can be found here.
Learn about the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) by clicking the links below and by watching the short video:
MPO Committees
Meetings of the MPO and its committees are open to the public. Meeting agendas will be placed on the MPO website at least seven days in advance of each meeting.
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held on the 12th Floor of Two 20th Street North, Birmingham AL, 35203
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee makes the final decisions for transportation planning projects and strategies that will support economic vitality, increase the safety and security of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users, increase the accessibility and mobility options available to people and freight, protect and enhance the environment, enhance the integration connectivity of the transportation system, promote efficient system management and operation, and emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system. Bylaws
Meetings
Regular meetings of the Policy Committee are held on the second Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise noted, at 1:30 pm.
Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee is a subset of the Policy Committee. It provides policy direction and a forum for transportation and air quality decisions, as well as recommendations to the voting membership of the Policy Committee. The Advisory Committee sets the meeting agenda for the Policy Committee.
Meetings
The regular meeting of the Birmingham MPO Advisory Committee will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month, unless otherwise noted, at 1:30 pm.
Transportation Technical Committee
The Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) consists of administrators, planning directors, both public and private transportation engineers and planning specialists whose experience is related to all aspects of transportation and planning, and subject matter experts. The basic responsibilities of the TTC include collaborating with staff to provide technical recommendations to the MPO in the development of regional transportation plans and programs.
The Transportation Technical Committee membership also supports a Congestion Management Committee and the Transportation Improvement Program Subcommittee. The Congestion Management Committee is tasked with providing MPO staff with guidance on maintaining, improving, and implementing the transportation study area’s Congestion Management Process. The TIP Subcommittee is tasked with providing MPO staff with guidance about developing and maintaining the TIP. This would include recommendations for maintaining fiscal balances across the TIP horizons, monitoring project development and implementation status, project prioritization, and financial planning. Bylaws
Meetings
The regular meeting of the Transportation Technical Committee will be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise noted, at 10:00 am.
Transportation Citizens Committee
The Transportation Citizens Committee (TCC) consists of citizens representing the urban area. It is the primary focal point for local citizens to be involved in the transportation planning process and is tasked with providing the MPO’s elected officials with recommendations concerning regional transportation programs and projects, research, and public outreach. Bylaws
Meetings
The regular meeting of the Transportation Citizens Committee will be held on the third Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise noted, 12:00 pm.
Resources
FHWA - Federal Aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies
FHWA - Core Highway Topics