MPO Certification

Every four years, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) conducts a review of the Atlanta region’s transportation planning process. This certification review consists of five primary sequential activities:

  1. Advance review of planning documents and other materials
  2. Site visit with staff and policy officials
  3. Public meeting
  4. Final report of recommendations and findings
  5. Closeout presentation with ARC policy officials

The review focuses on compliance with federal regulations and is an opportunity to identify challenges, successes and experiences of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Georgia Department of Transportation, MARTA, and other key planning and implementation agencies. As the MPO for a 20-county region, ARC is the agency ultimately responsible for ensuring a successful outcome to the certification review process. As part of the process, the public is also invited to share their comments.

2023 Certification

ARC’s next certification review must be completed by October 1, 2023.  The process is currently underway, with all requested documents being submitted to USDOT in February 2023.  The site visit with staff and policy officials will occur May 23-25, 2023.

Members of the public are invited to attend a meeting to learn about the general MPO planning process and provide feedback on the effectiveness of ARC’s approach to transportation planning.  The meeting will be at the ARC offices, although a virtual participation option will be available for those who are unable to attend the public meeting in person. A copy of the FHWA Powerpoint presentation is also available for your perusal.

Public Meeting

ARC Conference Center (Peachtree Center Plaza Level)
229 Peachtree Street / Atlanta, GA 30309
May 23, 2023
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Virtual participation option

Comments will also be accepted electronically anytime between April 23, 2023 and June 6, 2023. Please check back on this page in May for details on how to participate in this important process, including information on parking/transit options for the meeting and a link to the comment form.

2019 Certification

ARC’s process was most recently certified as meeting all federal MPO planning requirements on October 1, 2019. Key documents from that review are provided below explaining the process, the range of topics covered, and the findings.