Quarterly Newsletter - June 2019
ICYMI: How to access the Memphis MPO's Online Interactive Map!
The Memphis MPO's Online Interactive Map has been around since 2015, but maybe you're not sure how it works. Well not to worry, the MPO has released a "How-to" video on our YouTube Channel to show people how easy it is to access, and the amount of information readily available!

Keep a look out for more videos that will hopefully make understanding and engaging with MPO plans and processes easier!
#Livability2050 and #FY2023TIP
Keep a Lookout!
Memphis MPO Staff hard work has continued with the development of the Livability 2050: Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-23 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) !

Keep a lookout for public meetings later this summer to review the draft plans! And be sure to like our  Facebook Page  , follow us on  Twitter  , and subscribe to our  YouTube Channel  to see other ways you can stay involved!

#Livability2050 #FY2023TIP
News from our State Partners
I-55/75/26 Multimodal Corridor Study
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will be completing an 18-month study of several interstate corridors, including I-55 in Memphis.

This study will identify short and long term solutions for improving problem areas along the entire corridor. It will investigate a range of multi-modal solutions to address future travel demands, with emphasis on managing congestion, improving safety, maximizing the potential for freight diversion, and preserving/ enhancing the corridor’s economic benefits.

TDOT has created an online survey so that you can identify areas for improvement, such as pinpointing specific locations where safety, congestion, or other issues exist.
Multiplan 2045: Mississippi's Unified Long-Range Transportation Plan
The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and three of the state's metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are currently developing the state's next long-range transportation plan.

Multiplan 2045 will identify long-range transportation goals, and guide investment over a 25-year period in Mississippi. So far, 9 public meetings have been held across the state and multiple surveys were developed to gather input from the public.

MDOT encourages Mississippians to stay involved in the plan process by visiting the Plan's Website, and connecting with MDOT through the Plan's Facebook Page and Instagram Account!

Help Mississippi plan for its future!
TN Department of Safety & Homeland Security Offers Interactive Dashboard for Safety Data!
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security provides an interactive dashboard of the latest available crash data from across the State of Tennessee. (Click image above to access)

The dashboard provides a highly interactive and easy to use interface for visitors to learn about fatality and serious injury crashes between 2017-2019.

Users can analyze crashes by filtering between counties, routes, and light/weather conditions. Special Stats are also available that provide unique info on crashes, including time of day, impaired driver status, and types of vehicles involved.
Ms. Ann Deberry Honored for 40-Years of Service
The Memphis MPO's own Ms. Ann Deberry was honored by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris for 40-years of service to the County!

We extend our congratulations for her years of support and dedication to the Memphis MPO and Shelby County!
Draft Mid-South Regional Resilience Master Plan Open for Comment
In 2016, Shelby County was the recipient of a $60 million federal grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for its Greenprint for Resilience project.

In addition to three place-based activities, a regional resilience plan was identified as an activity to model and plan for flood impact and other climate risk across the county and tri-state region. 

After years of research and public engagement, the Shelby County Office of Resilience has released a draft of the Mid-South Regional Resilience Master Plan for public comment through July 7, 2019. To view and provide comments, visit the Resilience Plan Webpage .
Memphis MPO Receives EPA Air Quality Flag Set
In an effort to educate local residents and staff on Air Quality, the Memphis MPO offices have received a flag set from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The flags correspond to the Air Quality Index (AQI), a measure of how clean the outdoor air is and the associated health impacts. EPA provides the AQI by translating data into numbers and colors to help the public better understand.

Find more information on Air Quality through the Memphis MPO's Air Quality Webpage , or find your community's AQI forecast at EPA's AirNow Website .
New MPO Employees!
Jasmine Champion
Transportation Planner
Jasmine joined the Memphis MPO as a Transportation Planner in mid-May. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, she is a graduate of Alabama A&M University where she received a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning.
 
Jasmine served as the former West, TN Rural Planning Organization Coordinator, managing a Tennessee Department of Transportation program initiative to support rural areas transportation needs and concerns before joining the MPO.
 
Her work at the MPO will focus on Freight Planning, Public Participation, and the Unified Planning Work Program. She is very excited to join the Memphis MPO team, and work in the HEART of Memphis! 
Cole Perry
Memphis MPO Intern
Cole joined the Memphis MPO as an intern in June. He earned his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from George Washington University, and will continue his education in the fall at Columbia University in New York for a Masters degree in Urban Planning.

He previously completed internships with BAE Systems, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, and the office of Congressman David Kustoff.
 
Cole is a lifelong West Tennessean who hopes to return to Memphis after graduation. He is thrilled to be a part of the MPO team for the Summer.
Headlines
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao swore in Nicole R. Nason as the 20th Administrator of the USDOT FHWA on May 2, 2019. The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Nason by a vote of 95-1 on March 28.

The FAA will award $840 million in airport infrastructure grants, the first allotment of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding. The 432 grants will fund infrastructure projects at 381 airports around the country. 

The FTA announced approximately $9.6 million to 37 projects led by transit agencies, governmental authorities, and nonprofit organizations to support innovative transportation solutions to expand access to health care.

The DAC is a broad-based, long-term federal advisory committee that provides the FAA advice on key unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) integration issues by helping to identify challenges and prioritize improvements.

A total of 10,197 people passed through the checkpoints, the highest total of 2019 and the busiest day since March 2008 when MEM still served as a hub. Compared to the same day in 2018, throughput on Friday was up by 15.6%.

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy gave the grand reveal for an entirely car-free way to get across the country—the Great American Rail-Trail—that would connect Washington, D.C., to Seattle.
MPO Planners on the Move
2019 Memphis TMA Certification
Multiplan 2045: Batesville Public Meeting
Operation
Incognito
March:
12 : Webinar - TDOT Safety Working Group
13 : Webinar - Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP)
13-14 : TDOT Region 4 TSMO Forum
21 : MPO IAC Call
25-27 : 2019 TMA Certification
April:
3: TN Statewide IAC Call
3 : Multiplan 2045 Public Meeting
8 : Operation Incognito
9 : West Memphis MPO TMA Certification
10 : Webinar - TDOT Safety Working Group
17 : Webinar - Food Deserts and the Logistics of Urban Food Transportation
23 : MATA Board Meeting
24 : Cleveland Superstops
25 : Webinar - FHWA Virtual Public Involvement Tools and Practices
25 : City of Memphis Bicycle Advocacy Council Meeting
30: City of Hernando Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Meeting
May :
2 : Webinar - TDOT Safety Working Group
2 : Webinar - Creating Active Routes to Everyday Destinations
8 : Webinar - TDOT Safety Working Group
14 : West Memphis MPO Joint Policy and Technical Coordinating Committee Meeting
15 : Webinar - TDOT Safety Working Group
15 : Multiplan 2045 Stakeholder Meeting
15 : Webinar - Emissions Reduction Technologies
15 : Shelby County Resilience Master Plan Public Meetings
15 : TDOT Improving Intersection Safety Class
16 : I-55 Corridor Study Public Meeting
17 : City of Memphis + MATA Bus Shelter Meeting
30 : MATA Board Meeting
Upcoming Events in 2019:
July 4 : Independence Day - MPO Offices will be Closed
July 25 : Engineering & Technical Committee (ETC) and Transportation Policy Board (TPB) Meetings
September 2 : Labor Day - MPO Offices will be Closed
September 12 : Engineering & Technical Committee (ETC) and Transportation Policy Board (TPB) Meetings
Did You Know?
Memphis MPO
Contact List

You can receive periodic email updates on regional transportation planning matters that are important to you!

Our newsletter regularly provides updates on multiple transportation topics, including:

General Topics
Bicycle and Pedestrian
Freight
Transit
Land Use
Long-Range Planning
Short-Range Panning
Public Participation
Air Quality
Livability
Mobility
Safety
Performance Measures
Memphis MPO Staff

Pragati Srivastava
Administrator
901.636.7190

Sajid Hossain
Transportation Planner
901.636.7183

Kate Horton
Transportation Planner
901.636.7218

Zylavian Watley
Transportation Planner
901.636.7216

Jordan Smith 
Transportation Planner
901.636.7130

Alvan-Bidal Sanchez 
Transportation Planner
901.636.7156

Mavrick Fitzgerald
Transportation Planner
901.636.7189

Nick Warren
Transportation Planner
901.636.7146

Jasmine Champion
Transportation Planner
901.636.7273

Notimba Brooks
Grants Coordinator 
901.636.7227

Ann Deberry
Administrative Assistant
901.636.7190

Connie Jordan
Administrative Technician
901.636.7229

Cole Perry
MPO Intern
901.636.7172
Meeting Calendar
July - September 2019