The Bowling Green/Warren County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is responsible for transportation planning in Warren County.  The MPO is mandated by State and Federal law to provide a continuing, cooperative, comprehensive transportation planning process, which guides the expenditure of state and federal transportation funds in the Warren Cou nty area.  The MPO establishes project priorities, for consideration by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, when programming transportation funds.  In addition, the MPO continually monitors and collects data on the current condition of Warren County's transportation system, including roads, bicycle and pedestrian ways, airport, and public transit.

MPOs are mandated for each urbanized area having a population of over 50,000.  The Bowling Green urban area was designated by the 2000 Census, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet designated the MPO in 2003.

So what is transportation planning?
Transportation planning is the process of establishing a community vision and identifying how transportation fits into this vision.  This planning process is successful through methods of:

• Developing a cooperative and inclusive transportation vision.
• Understanding the types of decisions needed to achieve this vision.
• Assessing the opportunities and limitations of the future in relation to goals and desired system performance measures.
• Identifying short and long-term consequences of alternative choices.
• Relating alternative decisions to goals, objectives, and system performance measures.
• Presenting this information to decision makers.
• Helping decision makers establish priorities and develop an investment program.
  
  What communities are included in the MPO's transportation planning process?
  The Bowling Green/Warren County MPO is the transportation planning organization that facilitates input from all communities in Warren County, including the municipalities of Bowling Green, Oakland, Plum Springs, Smiths Grove, and Woodburn. 
  
  What are the responsibilities of the MPO?
  The MPO has five core functions:
  
  1.    Establish and manage public input for regional decision making
  2.    Evaluate transportation alternatives
  3.    Maintain a Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)
  4.    Develop a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
  5.    Involve the public
  
  The MPO is only a planning agency.  It does not implement projects but acts as a coordinator in planning and programming for funds and operations.  The MPO is responsible for actively seeking the participation of all relevant agencies and stakeholders in the planning process.
  
  What important documents does the MPO produce?
  1.    Long Range Transportation Plan (LRP)
  The LRTP is the statement of the ways the region plans to invest in its transportation system for the next 20 years.
  
  2.    Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
  The TIP is a program covering the most immediate implementation priorities for transportation projects for the next six years.  Projects in the TIP must come from the LRP.
  
  3.    Overall Work Program (WP)
  The WP lists the transportation studies and tasks to be performed by the MPO staff or a member agency for one year.
  
  Why is public involvement important to the MPO?
  The MPO is made up of officials, professionals, and citizens that represent Warren County.  They make decisions that will shape the future of transportation in this area.  Public input guides the MPO as it evaluates appropriate transportation alternatives.
  
  Need additional information on the BG/WC MPO?
  Bowling Green/Warren County MPO PowerPoint Presentation
  What is the Bowling Green/Warren County MPO? (pdf file)
  
  Need additional information on MPOs and transportation planning?
  Transportation Planning Capacity Building Program
  Planning Programs and Smart Growth
  Toolbox for Regional Policy Analysis