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The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century of 1998 (TEA-21) and, most recently, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users of 2005 (SAFETEA-LU) significantly changed the law governing metropolitan transportation planning. In response to these changes, the FTA and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) revised joint regulations setting requirements for the transportation planning processes in urbanized areas which must be complied with as a condition for eligibility for federal transportation project funds.
At least every four years, the FTA and FHWA must jointly certify that the transportation planning process, in areas designated by TEA-21 as Transportation Management Areas (TMAs), is being conducted in accordance with the joint planning requirements of 23 USC §134 and 49 USC §5303. TMAs are urbanized areas with a population greater than 200,000. The Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAAA) also imposed rigorous new transportation requirements on metropolitan areas, particularly those that are designated non-attainment or maintenance areas for air quality. Please contact the appropriate FTA Region Office for further information regarding scheduled Planning Certification Reviews in your area.
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