Transportation
Planning
Planning for Efficient and Effective Transportation
Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA) And Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
SIMPCO houses the Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA) and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Siouxland region. The SRTPA provides transportation planning services for Cherokee, Ida, Monona, Plymouth, and Woodbury counties in Iowa. The MPO conducts transportation planning activities within the Sioux City metro area which includes Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, a portion of Woodbury and Plymouth counties in Iowa; South Sioux City, Dakota City, and a portion of Dakota County in Nebraska; North Sioux City, Dakota Dunes, and a portion of Union County in South Dakota.
The planning activities conducted by the SRTPA and the MPO are funded through FHWA and FTA sources, as well as local financial support. The SRTPA and the MPO are responsible for the following work items:
- Transportation Planning Work Program (TPWP) – outlines the annual transportation planning activities the SRTPA/MPO will undertake during the fiscal year.
- Public Participation Plan (PPP) – outlines the process the SRTPA/MPO will follow to adequately involve the public in transportation planning activities.
- Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) – provides direction and guidance for the SRTPA/MPO to make efficient transportation investment decisions over a 20-year planning horizon.
- Passenger Transportation Plan (PTP) – promotes joint, coordinated passenger transportation planning programs, and provides needs-based justification for passenger transportation projects.
- Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – identifies the capital and non-capital transportation projects proposed for federal and state aid funding or action for the SRTPA/MPO over the next four-year period.
The SRTPA and MPO work closely with the Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration, and local city/county staff on work products. Both the SRTPA and the MPO have an established a technical advisory committee and a policy board for guiding the planning and programming process for the region.
The technical committee is made up of professional staff, including engineers and planners, from member towns and counties. The policy board includes local elected officials from throughout the region. These officials are responsible for approving all plans and projects developed by the technical committee. Representatives of the state attend all technical and policy meetings to help coordinate planning and programming efforts.
In combination with the SRTPA/MPO staff, the committee conducts research, develops technical tools, and analysis for the region, and advises the policy board on technical and administrative issues related to regional transportation planning. The SRTPA and MPO convenes interested parties and encourages broad consideration of issues and ideas on how to address the area’s transportation problems.
- Long-Range Transportation Plans (LRTP)
- Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP)
- Transportation Planning Work Programs (TPWP)
- Passenger Transportation Plan (PTP)
- Public Participation Process (PPP)
- Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Long-Range Transportation Plans (LRTP)
A long-range transportation plan (LRTP) is a federally required element for the Metropolitan Planning Organization and an Iowa state requirement for the Siouxland Regional Planning Association (SRTPA – RPA 4). The federal requirements for the MPO is outline in 23 CFR § 450.324.
The LRTP plays an important role in outlining the existing status and future needs of the MPO and SRTPA planning area’s transportation system. It helps set the direction of planning efforts and programming investments. The LRTP evaluates demographic, economic, passenger, and freight forecasts to understand how anticipated growth or decline will interact with expected land use to impact the demands on the transportation system. Through the development of the plan, stakeholder involvement and public input is requested to help guide priorities and projects that will be submitted for federal/state funding at the MPO/SRTPA level.
For both the MPO and SRTPA, the LRTP is updated at least every fives years and has a planning horizon of 20 years.
In order to view any of these files, please download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
For the Sioux City Metropolitan Area (Iowa: Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury County, & Plymouth County, Nebraska: South Sioux City, Dakota City, & Dakota County; South Dakota: North Sioux City, Dakota Dunes, & Union County)
Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA)
For the Iowa counties with the Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association: Woodbury, Plymouth, Ida, Cherokee, and Monona.
Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP)
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
For the Sioux City Metropolitan Area (Iowa: Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury County, & Plymouth County, Nebraska: South Sioux City, Dakota City, & Dakota County; South Dakota: North Sioux City, Dakota Dunes, & Union County)
It is the purpose of the MPO Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to provide all citizens of the Metropolitan Planning Area, the FHWA, FTA, Iowa DOT, NDOR, and SDDOT with the Metropolitan Planning Area’s multimodal and intermodal transportation improvements for four fiscal years at a time.
Preparation of the TIP consists of compiling background information provided through the U.S. Census, U.S. DOT, Iowa DOT, NDOR, SDDOT and other named sources. The MPO was responsible for the preparation of this TIP, with the guidance given by local and county officials, the MPO Transportation Technical Committee (TTC), Policy Board, and citizen input.
The purpose of a TIP is to serve as an organized structure of information on improvements to be made in the Metropolitan Planning Area to transportation.
The following is a list of updated Transportation Improvement Programs:
MPO Iowa Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG/CRP) Application (Due by February 9, 2024)
- FY 2028 MPO STBG/CRP Application – Iowa Members MPO/ Application Process
MPO Iowa Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TAP) Application (Due by February 9, 2024)
- FY 2028 MPO TAP Application – Iowa Members MPO / Application Process
Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA)
For the Iowa counties with the Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association: Woodbury, Plymouth, Ida, Cherokee, and Monona.
It is the purpose of the SRTPA Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to provide all citizens of the region, the FHWA, FTA, and Iowa DOT with the region’s multimodal and intermodal transportation improvements for four fiscal years at a time.
Preparation of the TIP consists of compiling background information provided through the U.S. Census, U.S. DOT, Iowa DOT, and other named sources. The region was responsible for the preparation of this TIP, with the guidance given by local and county officials, the SRTPA Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), Policy Board, and citizen input.
The purpose of a TIP is to serve as an organized structure of information on improvements to be made in the region to transportation and related systems, addressing the future needs, goals, and objectives of the region.
The following is a list of Transportation Improvement Programs:
SRTPA Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Application (Due by February 16, 2024)
- SRTPA STBG Application 2024-Form – Iowa Members Only / Application Process
SRTPA Iowa Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TAP) Application (Due by February 16, 2024) – Iowa Members Only
Transportation Planning Work Programs (TPWP)
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
For the Sioux City Metropolitan Area (Iowa: Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury County, & Plymouth County, Nebraska: South Sioux City, Dakota City, & Dakota County; South Dakota: North Sioux City, Dakota Dunes, & Union County)
It is the purpose of the MPO Transportation Planning Work Program (TPWP) to provide all citizens of the Metropolitan Planning Area, the FHWA, FTA, Iowa DOT, NDOR, and SDDOT with the MPO multimodal and intermodal transportation planning work program, including the objectives and budget for each fiscal year.
The purpose of a TPWP is to serve as a guiding document of information addressing current and projected transportation needs for the Metropolitan Planning Area from a planning perspective.
In order to view any of these files, please download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
The following is the most recent Transportation Planning Work Program:
Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA)
For the Iowa counties with the Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association: Woodbury, Plymouth, Ida, Cherokee, and Monona.
It is the purpose of the SRTPA Transportation Planning Work Program (TPWP) to provide all citizens of the Metropolitan Planning Area, the FHWA, FTA, and Iowa DOT with the RPA multimodal and intermodal transportation planning work program, including the objectives and budget for each fiscal year.
The purpose of a TPWP is to serve as a guiding document of information addressing current and projected transportation needs for the region from a planning perspective.
In order to view any of these files, please download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
The following is the most recent Transportation Planning Work Program:
Passenger Transportation Plan (PTP)
The Passenger Transportation Plan (PT) process is designed to promote joint, coordinated passenger transportation planning programs that further the development of the local and regional public transportation systems for SIMPCO’s MPO and SRTPA. A prerequisite for state and federal funding, the PTP is structured under Iowa DOT guidelines, ongoing engagement with TAG, and standards for Coordinated Human Passenger Transportation planning as required through the Nebraska DOT and South Dakota DOT.
The PTP is compiled from collected public input assessing known and perceived transportation barriers for person without access to a personal vehicle. SIMPCO’s TAG (Transportation Advisory Group) meets twice annually to review serves as available through public and private transportation providers, through collaboration with human services organizations, agencies, and program representatives. Siouxland Regional Transit System (SRTS) and Sioux City Transit System (SCTS) are the public transit systems serving SIMPCO’s region. Respective planning goals for the systems are based on finding included in the PTP and available and potential funding opportunities relative to each project.
The PTP undergoes a full update every five years. Amendments are processed through SIMPCO’s MPO and SRTPA.
Public Participation Process (PPP)
It is the purpose of the SIMPCO Transportation Public Participation Plan (PPP) to provide the citizens within the Sioux City Metropolitan Planning Area and within Woodbury, Plymouth, Cherokee, Ida, and Monona Counties an opportunity to voice their opinions and express their concerns about the transportation issues in Siouxland.
SIMPCO and Siouxland Regional Transit System (SRTS) were responsible for the preparation of this PPP, with guidance given by local and county officials, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Technical Committee (TTC), Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA) Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), MPO and SRTPA Policy Boards, SRTS Board of Directors Environmental/Cultural Agencies, interested parties, and citizens.
The information in this plan represents the first step in a continuing participation process that will be reviewed and modified annually. The purpose of a PPP is to serve as a guiding document to receive public input throughout the Siouxland Area.
In order to view any of these files, please download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Please express any comments you may have about the MPO Public Participation Process by emailing us at simpco@simpco.org.
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Regional Architecture describes a plan for implementing ITS technologies to improve transportation system operations. The SIMPCO MPO ITS Architecture Plan was adopted in May 2005 and is updated on a five year cycle.
In order to view any of these files, please download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed into law on January 1, 1970. NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. Siouxland Regional Transit System has met the NEPA process completed on October 7, 2019, on the facility housed with SIMPCO and SRTS employees. SRTS is situated on 5 acres in the Northeast corner of the Highway 75 and Highway 20 interchange, and that fronts along Hwy 20. Approximately 61 acres of the land is owned by Iowa DOT.