Regional Transportation Plan

 

Draft Project Listing (Sept 2010)

Public Involvement for the 2011 RTP

The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission’s RTP is based on proactive public involvement, is straightforward and clearly understood using purposeful language, illustrations and graphics, and is a tool for future transportation program and policy decision-making in the Berkshires.

Public Involvement is an integral part of effective transportation planning. SAFETEA-LU, the current Federal transportation authorization, broadened the requirements for Metropolitan Planning Organizations to engage transportation. Ultimately, participation is a core democratic principle and means more than meeting legislative and regulatory requirements. People are entitled opportunities to debate issues, explore alternative solutions, and affect final decisions in ways that respect the roles of decision-makers. Knowledge is the basis of such participation. The public needs to know details about the RTP to evaluate its importance. The BRPC hopes to build community buy-in and, more importantly, assure that the public has the opportunity to help shape the substance of the RTP through the projects and policies it recommends.

Everyone should have a voice in how our transportation system is developed. Public input provides critical information to the BRPC and our MPO members so that we fully understand and assess potential impacts from transportation projects and policies as viewed by each community in the Berkshires. Public involvement occurs at all stages of the transportation lifecycle. Early and continuing public involvement allows us to be aware of potential issues, problems and impacts, to discuss them comprehensively, and then determine how to address such concerns.

The RTP development process engages three standing MPO stakeholder groups.  The RTP partners group, comprised of BRPC staff. MassDOT, FHWA, and BRTA, focuses specifically on RTP process and technical issues like finance and demographic projections.  The Technical Advisory Committee is responsible for considering data synthesis and developing a list of projects that accomplish the policy objectives of the plan and consider public input.  The MPO policy committee reviews the work of the TAC, approves the work products, and submits the finished RTP to MassDOT, FHWA, and FTA. 

At the planning stage, public involvement is less about specific project development and more about setting strategic directions and long range objectives. The BRPC engaged participants in traditional meetings during RTP development at inception and at draft plan review.  While writing the RTP we also sought out topic-specific participation, such as the District 1 Highway Superintendents’ Association for pavement management, as well as offering stakeholders more direct opportunity for participation. 

Please direct questions and comments to Douglas Plachcinski, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner at (413) 442-1521, X16 or dplachcinski@berkshireplanning.org

 

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