The Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) serves as the federally designated MPO for Palm Beach County, Florida. The MPO’s mission is to plan, prioritize, and fund a safe, efficient, and connected multimodal transportation system.
In coordination with local, state, and federal partners, the MPO prioritizes state and urban area federal funds for transportation projects that advance the goals and objectives in its Long Range Transportation Plan.
The MPO’s Governing Board oversees the federal transportation planning process, including the adoption of federal and state required documents. The Board is supported by MPO staff, a five-member Executive Committee, and three advisory committees:
- Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
- Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC)
- Vision Zero Advisory Committee (VZAC)
The MPO also administers the Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board (TDLCB) for Palm Beach County.
What does the Palm Beach MPO do?
The MPO maintains a long range forecast on transportation, while also keeping an eye on today’s needs in transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, roadways, railways and more. Hundreds of millions of dollars are prioritized each year to keep these projects moving. Learn more about the MPO’s Mission and Vision and how we collaboratively plan, prioritize and fund the transportation system.
How is the MPO Funded?
The MPO is funded through federal, state and local sources. Check out the graphic below to see how the funding shapes projects each year.
How Long Does a Project Take from Start to Finish?
Some transportation projects can be completed quickly, while others may take many years to complete, from planning to construction. The MPO is involved with projects from the very beginning, seeing them through all the way to completion. We work with many partners from FDOT, Palm Beach County, our local municipalities, transit agencies, the public and more in order to create the best transportation system for users of all ages and abilities. Click to see the Life Cycle of a Project.
Federal and State Regulations
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are federally mandated and federally funded transportation policy-making organizations in the United States made up of representatives from local government and governmental transportation authorities. The United States Congress passed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1962, which required the formation of an MPO for any urbanized area (UZA) with a population greater than 50,000. Federal funding for transportation projects and programs are channeled through this planning process.
Statewide and metropolitan transportation planning processes are governed by federal law (23 U.S.C. §§ 134–135). MPOs were mandated by the Federal Highway Act of 1973 to provide a cooperative, comprehensive and continuing transportation planning and decision-making process. The process encompasses all travel modes and covers both short-range and long-term transportation planning.
The Florida Statutes also have language addressing Metropolitan Planning Organizations. Florida Statute 339.175 includes the size and membership makeup of MPO Boards and requirements that address the process for the development of transportation plans between the State of Florida – through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) – and Florida MPOs.
Federal and State Agency Resources:
The Palm Beach MPO is established via Interlocal Agreement dated October 9, 2015.