MPO
In 1965, Mansfield’s population exceeded 50,000 with the addition of its annexations to the 1960 census count. This classified Mansfield as an urbanized area, which required the city to meet transportation requirements outlined by the Federal Bureau of Public Roads. With new standards to be upheld by the city, the responsibility of meeting federal planning requirements was given to the Richland County Regional Planning Commission. In response, the RCRPC staff created a Prospectus and a Work Program to guide future research. At this time, the state of Ohio also designated a separate coordinating committee, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, to provide oversight for RCRPC’s projects.
The RCRPC MPO has five core functions:
Evaluate Alternatives
Evaluate transportation alternatives, with consideration for the size and complexity of the region, the nature of its transportation issues, and the realistically available options, including funding resources.
Establish a Setting
Establish and provide a fair and impartial setting for effective regional transportation planning in Richland County.
Maintain a Long Range Transportation Plan (LTIP)
Develop and update a long-range transportation plan which spans a horizon of at least twenty (20) years. This plan should foster mobility and access for people and goods, efficient system performance and preservation, and improved quality of life.
Develop a Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)
Develop a 4 year project implementation program that is based on the long range transportation plan, and designed to serve the areas' goals, using spending, regulating, operating, management, and financial tools.
Involve the Public
Ensure that the general public and all of the significantly affected sub-groups have the opportunity to be actively involved in the core functions that are listed above.
For any additional information regarding Ohio Metropolitan Planning, please visit the Ohio Department of Transportation.
