Introduction

To facilitate a more collaborative statewide transportation planning effort, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has launched the Regional Planning Organization (RPO) Pilot Program. The intent of this program is to gather feedback from participants about how to best support transportation planning in rural Alaska with the goal of developing a formal process for the establishment and operation of a formal RPO Program statewide. The responsibilities of RPOs could include advocating for regional transportation issues, creating regional long range transportation plans, establishing a formal channel of communication with DOT&PF, and ensuring the public remains engaged throughout the process.

RPOs benefit local communities by providing a more formal seat at the statewide transportation planning table and helping to build capacity for local planning efforts. DOT&PF has launched the pilot program to ensure it is developing a process that works best for Alaska. Based on feedback received during the pilot phase, DOT&PF will draft regulations to govern the establishment and operation of a formal RPO Program statewide.

As of March 2023, there are three RPO Pilots in Alaska, one in the Copper Valley region, one that encompasses rural areas outside Fairbanks, and one in the Northwest Arctic Borough. Other regions around the state have expressed interest in participating as well. 

Purpose of this RFI

DOT&PF is seeking information from communities, tribes, organizations, individuals, and other stakeholders to better understand how the state can improve transportation planning in rural Alaska through a formal RPO program. Feedback gathered through this RFI and from participants of the pilot program will help guide DOT&PF in drafting regulations to establish and operate a formal and permanent RPO Program statewide.

DOT&PF welcomes all interested parties to participate in its ongoing RPO outreach efforts - stay tuned for an in person RPO conference. A readiness survey has also been released to gauge interest from potential participants of the RPO Pilot Program. The survey can be accessed here or on the DOT&PF RPO website.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Respondents to this RFI do not need to be actively involved in local planning or governance. Any interested parties are encouraged to respond.

Response Information

We invite you to answer the following questions:

1. Where do you live and what types of transportation planning needs exist in your area?
2. How can DOT&PF best support transportation infrastructure planning in your area?
3. How would your community or region benefit by forming an RPO?
4. What level of involvement do you envision an RPO would have in addressing transportation needs in your region?
5. What potential barriers could arise in your area while trying to form a successful RPO? For example, lack of perceived benefit, low public interest, no staff capacity, lack of training, funding limitations, etc.
6. RPOs would be expected to financially contribute to their own operations to supplement financial support from DOT&PF.Does your area have the capacity to take on more administrative and/or financial burdens associated with running an RPO?
7. What types of training, materials, or support would be needed to successfully launch an RPO in your region or area? For example, support could include training and education on planning functions, public outreach, federal regulations, or grant funding.
8. If you attended an in person RPO training session as part of a larger all state planning conference, what topics would you like to see addressed?

Response Format

In addition to responding to the questions listed above, please address the following:

1. Respondent information. A brief overview of who the respondent is, the respondent’s role in local governance and/or planning, and affiliation with an organization, if any.
2. Contacts. Detailed contact information for those responsible for the response to this RFI.
3. Additional features. Provide any additional information that you deem is helpful to help support the development a statewide RPO Program.

Important Notice

Responses to this RFI do not qualify as an agreement or understanding between the respondent and DOT&PF to establish an RPO Pilot. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in future RPO planning efforts. All costs associated with responding are solely at the expense of the respondent.  

DOT&PF Contact Information

Respondents should submit a written response to the DOT&PF Program Development Chief by April 18, 2023.   

Adam Moser

Program Development Chief

adam.moser@alaska.gov

(907) 465-2985

Emailed or hard copy responses are acceptable. If sending a hard copy, please mail to the following:

Adam Moser, Program Development Chief

c/o Department of Transportation & Public Facilities

PO Box 112500

Juneau, AK 99811-2500