Other States Look to the Denver Regional Council of Governments as a National Model for Transportation Planning
Denver, Colorado (PRWEB) January 26, 2015 -- Everyone in the Denver metro area wants less traffic, shorter commutes, better health, and greater economic prosperity. The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) is working to do all these things, and according to a new national report, Denver ranks amongst the best in the nation.
On December 17, 2014 The Innovative MPO was released by Transportation for America and is a new guidebook for the staff and board members of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). The guide showcases best practices from across the country to highlight ways MPOs can help their communities prosper.
DRCOG is highlighted in the guidebook as a national leader, and a model for other MPOs to follow. Specifically, the report praises DRCOG’s approach to planning and allocating transportation funds, which includes blending multiple funding sources, an emphasis on balance across modes and a scoring process that gives smaller communities special consideration. The report also lauds efforts to promote transit-oriented developments as economic catalysts, and highlights projects such as Denver Union Station and FasTracks as examples of their success.
“We’re working to improve the lives of people in the Denver metro area,” said Jennifer Schaufele the Executive Director at DRCOG. “We already see this happening, but it is great to know that our successes are being recognized nationally, and can serve as models for other states and regions.”
“MPOs do incredibly important and challenging work,” said James Corless, director of Transportation for America. “The Denver Regional Council of Governments is among the best in the country and we commend them for their dedication to the people of the Denver metro area.”
The Innovative MPO is available today at http://www.t4america.org/the-innovative-mpo.
The Denver Regional Council of Governments is a nonprofit collaborative association governed by a Board of Directors representing county and municipal governments. Board members work together to make life better in the Denver region for people of all ages, incomes and abilities. Through Metro Vision, the plan to manage growth over the next 25 years, the region’s local governments work cooperatively to address development, land use, transportation, environmental quality and older adult issues. http://www.drcog.org
Transportation for America is an alliance of elected, business and civic leaders from communities across the country, united to ensure that states and the federal government step up to invest in smart, homegrown, locally-driven transportation solutions – because these are the investments that hold the key to our future economic prosperity. http://www.t4america.org
Nate Currey, Denver Regional Council of Governments, http://www.drcog.org, +1 (303) 480-6743, [email protected]
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