| The Department of Regional Services provides community-planning activities that extend beyond the boundaries of Shelby County. These include transportation planning, commuter services programs and geographical information system management. Regional Services provides the staff for the Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
The Memphis MPO is a regional, multi-jurisdictional agency responsible for the planning and programming of long-range transportation facilities in the Memphis metropolitan area. Federal law requires that the Memphis MPO provide continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation planning process in order to receive federal funds for transportation projects.
The Memphis MPO consists of 19 elected officials, the board chairperson of the Memphis Area Transit Authority, the Airport Authority, and the Port Commission, and a representative from the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration for both Tennessee and Mississippi.
The Memphis MPO study area consists of all of Shelby County, the western four miles of Fayette County, Tennessee and the northern twelve miles of DeSoto County, Mississippi. Using federal regulations for guidance, short and long-term transportation plans that meet community objectives are developed and implemented. A multi-modal planning approach is used to assure a vibrant and growing system of roads, rail, transit systems, pedestrian/bicycle trails, airports and waterways.
Another transportation-related section in Regional Services is the Commuter Services Program. This section is involved in providing transportation options to individuals and groups that may wish to utilize vans or carpools to improve environmental conditions, relieve congestion and improve their access to jobs and other transportation-dependent events.
A Geographic Information System (GIS) has been implemented by Regional Services to assist in planning activities. This database-driven mapping program has proven remarkably flexible in giving policy and decision-makers relevant, spatial information on key issues of community growth and problem identification questions.
Regional Services staff are on the following boards: Shelby County Regional Municipal Solid Waste Planning Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization Regional Advisory Board, and Memphis Area Association of Governments. |