Quarterly Newsletter - March 2021
State of Memphis MPO
The 2020 State of Memphis MPO report is now available on our website. The report shares 2020 outreach and engagement efforts, provides a look at the MPO's and its member's accomplishments over the past year and upcoming planning activities. Even though we had to adjust outreach and engagement efforts due to COVID-19, we continued to provide participation opportunities and leveraged online engagement tools from the Public Participation Plan. The report shares data on increased engagement and participation and showcases newly adopted plans and other product updates. A new addition to the report is the Congestion Management Process section, which addresses congestion and mobility within the MPO's planning boundary. To learn more and review the State of Memphis MPO report, visit the Memphis MPO's website.
Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan (CPT-HSTP)
After a year-long planning effort, staff presented the completed 2021 CPT-HSTP Update, and the ETC and TPB both adopted the plan at the February meeting. With new data and maps, additional sections, and revised gaps and challenges as well as updated recommendations, the update ensures this plan will continue to assist the MPO and area transit providers to improve coordination and services throughout the region. See the plan and appendix at the link below for more details. We would like to sincerely thank all of the stakeholders, transit agencies, and others who provided input or assistance with this plan. Click on the link below for more details.
MPO Biteable Videos

New Memphis MPO's Biteable videos are now live on both YouTube and the Memphis MPO's website.

The year 2020 was a challenge, however, the region still made significant achievements. Check out the State of Memphis MPO video for a quick snapshot of accomplishments, engagement endeavors, and activities completed in 2020.

For a quick overview of how transit performance measures help transit agencies manage their assets and maintain safety and security for their customers, watch the Memphis MPO Transit Performance Measures video.
Headlines
The latest VMT data, published in FHWA’s December 2020 “Traffic Volume Trends” report – a monthly estimate of U.S. road travel – show that combined, all miles driven on public roads and highways in 2020 is the lowest since 2002. Nationwide closures of businesses, schools, and other economic factors related to the nation’s ongoing health crisis are thought to be key factors in the year’s estimated 430.2 billion VMT decrease.

Opening the Central Station trolley station marks the completion of the Central Station Phase II Redevelopment Project, which transformed the historic railroad station and multi-acre site into an area that now features Central Station Hotel, Malco Powerhouse Cinema Grill & MXT and the Memphis Farmers Market.

The Connector will establish a high-comfort bicycle and pedestrian route for all ages and abilities from Cooper St. in Midtown to the north end of Flicker St. at Union Avenue. The City is already progressing on a separate western extension of the Greenline that will bring the path from its current terminus at Tillman St. to Flicker St. via a bridge over the adjacent railroad lines. That new segment will begin construction in 12-18 months, with the Greenline Midtown Connector likely to start construction a year later.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the lighting violation “lamps inoperable” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 393.9) was the number one vehicle violation in fiscal 2020, accounting for approximately 12.24% of all vehicle violations discovered that year. 

TDEC and TVA signed an agreement to collaborate and fund a network of fast-charging stations every 50 miles along Tennessee’s interstates and major highways. This initiative would add approximately 50 new charging locations, tripling the existing fast-charging network. There are only 24 fast-charging locations currently operating in Tennessee that are open to all consumers and support both charging standards common to EVs.

"Traveling on Mississippi highways takes teamwork and cooperation,” McGrath said. “We can all be on the winning team by celebrating responsibly and never driving impaired.
Program & Funding Opportunities
The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. Applications are accepted for projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery, diversity and inclusion, and more.

Tire Environmental Act Program selects and funds projects that best result in one of the beneficial end uses for waste tires. The Tire Environmental Act Program provides financial assistance (through reimbursement) to private industries, municipal governments, county governments, and other entities in Tennessee to purchase, install, and construct projects that encompass tire recycling, tire derived product use, or research, testing and development. 
MPO Planners On the Job

December:

Virtual Meetings:
2:Statewide IAC Conference Call
2:Walk and Roll Technical Training Series (Final Session 1)
3: State of Freight
SHSP Steering Committee Meeting
7:Tennessee STEP Workshop
8:MATA Board Meeting
8-10:Every Day Counts Conference
9:SHSP Steering Committee Meeting
9:ETIP Training
Meeting
9:TDOT I-40/81 Virtual Public Meeting
9:Walk and Roll Technical Training Series (Session 2)
10:Walk and Roll Technical Training Series (Final Session 3)
11:TDOT MPO Monthly Conference Call
14:MPO Panel Presentation: Freight in the Southeast Conference
15:MPO IAC Conference Call
17:Freight Advisory Committee Meeting


Webinars:
8: EDC Webinar
8: EPA MOVES3 Webinar
9:TDOT Alternative Fuels Corridor Designation Nominations Webinar
10:Optimal Traffic Monitoring
10:AMPO Active Transportation Working Group Webinar
10:Eastern Transportation Coalition Webinar
14:AMPO Public Involvement Working Group Webinar

January:

Virtual Meetings:
4: ETIP Training
6: TN MPO Bike/Ped Coordinators Meeting
12:TDOT CMAQ Annual Report Meeting
20:TDOT Safety PM Call
26:MATA Board Meeting
27:AARP/Bike League Webinar
27:ETIP Training

Webinars:
27:AARP/Bike League Webinar

February:

Virtual Meetings
3: Statewide IAC Conference Call
8:ITTS Freight in the Southeast Conference Presentation
11:West Memphis MPO Joint Policy & Technical Committee Meeting
12:TDOT/MPO Monthly Coordination Call
17:TDOT Safety PM Call
19:Focus Group on Mobility and Accessible Transportation
23:MATA Board Meeting
23:NCHRP Flex Funding Interview
24:City of Memphis Pedestrian Advocacy Council Meeting

Webinars:
11: AMPO Active Transportation Working Group Webinar
Upcoming Events:
April 2: Good Friday Holiday - MPO Offices will be Closed
April 5: Martin Luther King' s Memorial Holiday - MPO Offices will be Closed
May 6: ETC Meeting, location TBD
May 20: TPB Meeting, location TBD
Did You Know?
You can receive periodic email updates on regional transportation planning issues!
Contact us if you have a question or need information on an MPO plan/study!
Meeting Calendar
April - June 2021