Federal regulations require that urbanized areas throughout the United States have a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to conduct a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning process. Urbanized areas are defined as areas with a population of 200,000 or greater, known as Transportation Management Areas (TMA).

MPOs participate in a federal certification review of the transportation planning process for their TMAs every four years. MPOs must be certified in order to receive federal aid for transportation projects. The transportation planning process must result "in plans and programs that consider all modes of transportation and support metropolitan community development and social goals. These plans and programs shall lead to the development and operation of an integrated, intermodal transportation system that facilitates the efficient, economic movement of people and goods." (23CFR450.300 and 49CFR450.300)