NCHRP Research Report 1002: Metropolitan Planning Organizations: Strategies for Future Success, is a practical resource for metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and their state departments of transportation (DOTs) partners to help address their evolving roles and face many of the challenges in the 21st century. It provides strategies for adaptation and improvement that will be effective in a wide range of MPOs that vary in size, structure, resources, and regional context. 

NCHRP Research Report 1002 also provides important guidance for MPOs to address issues in the post-COVID era. The topics and solutions addressed in the Toolkit in Chapter 3 of the guidance suggests successful approaches for emergent MPO practices that can enhance the performance of MPOs in our states. However, because the descriptions in the toolkit focus on general ingredients and concepts, operationalizing these solutions in real MPO initiatives is important to demonstrate how the findings are replicable in a practical MPO setting.

To address these issues and challenges, this project aims to (1) conduct educational workshops with MPO leadership in up to four states to disseminate the findings and raise awareness of the toolkit, (2) pilot efforts in each state implementing NCHRP 1002 solutions with their MPOs, and (4) conduct a concluding peer-exchange and MPO playbook to relate lessons learned and practical steps for MPO's to replicate this success (or learn from challenges) elsewhere.