Federal Certification of the Metropolitan Planning Organization

Every four years, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) jointly evaluate the transportation planning process of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) that serve a Transportation Management Area (TMA). The certification review verifies whether the MPO’s planning practices fully comply with federal regulatory standards.

A TMA is a metropolitan planning area with more than 200,000 residents.

H-GAC’s Role

The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) serves as the MPO for two TMA regions which span an eight-county area that includes Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller Counties.

H-GAC’s last federal certification review was held in 2021.

Core MPO Requirements

Federal regulations require MPOs to develop the following five key planning documents that guide their work and ensure compliance with federal law.

The Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)

Outlines the MPO’s long-range transportation vision and strategies over a 20-year horizon. Also known as the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) 2050, the plan is updated every four years to reflect regional needs and priorities. Learn more

The Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)

Identifies priority transportation projects selected by the MPO for funding and implementation over a four-year period. Updated every two years, the TIP aligns with the first four years of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). Learn more

The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)

Outlines anticipated planning activities to be conducted by the MPO over the next one to two fiscal years, including funding sources, staff assignments, timelines, and expected work products. Updated annually or biennially, the UPWP may be modified to reflect changes in planned activities. Learn more

The Congestion Management Plan (CMP)

Provides a coordinated blueprint for reducing traffic congestion, combining strategies to improve operational efficiency with efforts to manage transportation demand. Learn more

Public Participation Plan (PPP)

Outlines the MPO’s public engagement strategies for ensuring that stakeholders and other members of the public can meaningfully participate in the decision-making opportunities available throughout the MPO's metropolitan transportation planning process, and during open meetings organized and conducted by the agency. Learn more