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1. What does ATRC stand for?

The ATRC stands for Androscoggin Transportation Resource Center.

2. What does an MPO do?

The ATRC MPO discusses and votes on multi-modal transportation issues of region-wide significance, decides which local transportation projects should be implemented, and encourage and provide numerous opportunities for public involvement in the transportation planning process. One of the ways in which this is accomplished is through adoption of a Long Range Plan which is updated routinely. Also, based on the needs identified through the long range planning process, the MPO develops and adopts a priority list of projects for implementation each year, known at the TIP. This annual process and other activities is organized from the UPWP.

3. What are the core functions of an MPO?

There are five core functions of a Metropolitan Planning Organization:
1. Establish a fair and impartial setting for regional decision making.
2. Evaluate transportation alternatives.
3. Maintain a long-range transportation plan covering a 20 year planning horizon.
4. Develop a 4 year Transportation Improvement Program and prioritize projects.
5. Involve the public.

4. What is the MPO structure?

The ATRC MPO is comprised of a Policy Committee, a Technical Committee, and Staff. The MPO Staff provides professional transportation planning services and ongoing administration of planning projects within the MPO planning area.

5. What is the Metropolitan Planning Organization?

A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), is a transportation policy-making board comprised of representatives from local government and transportation authorities. Each urbanized area in the United States with a population of 50,000 or more is required by the federal government under US Code Section 134 of Title 23 to have a metropolitan planning organization (MPO). An MPO is a federally required transportation planning body comprised of elected and appointed officials representing local, state and federal governments or agencies having interest or responsibility in transportation planning and programming. An MPO is responsible for the development of Long Range plans, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for its metropolitan planning area. The adoption of these documents is a prerequisite for the receipt of both federal transit and federal highway funding.

The ATRC MPO is responsible for establishing a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning process for Lewiston, Auburn, Lisbon and a portion of Sabattus, according to federal and state laws.

6. What is the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)?

The MPO develops a bi-annual Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) that identifies and prioritizes projects over the next four years. These projects generally come from the LRTP. Improvements to services and facilities identified in the TIP include roadways, aviation, bicycle and pedestrian facilities,

7. What is the Long Range Plan?

The plan looks to define what the region's transportation system will look like in 20 years. The plan considers projected growth in population, employment, and residential and commercial development as the basis for new policies and projects to facilitate all modes of transportation, including roads and highways, rail, public transit, and biking and walking.

8. What is The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)?

The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is a statement of work, or business plan identifying activities to be carried out by the ATRC MPO.

9. When do the ATRC committees meet?

The ATRC Policy Committee generally meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 10:00 AM at AVCOG. The ATRC Technical Committee generally meets on the second Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM at AVCOG. All meetings are posted on the calendar on the ATRC home page and are open to the public.

10. Are the ATRC meetings open to the public?

Yes, all ATRC meetings are open to the public.