By Jeff Raliski, Transportation Analyst III
The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) on May 16, 2024 approved the agency’s new Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). The UPWP serves as the region’s blueprint for the transportation planning priorities and activities to be advanced within the Hampton Roads metropolitan planning area during the next fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2024.
Key planning priorities identified in the UPWP for the upcoming year center on advancing Transportation Equity efforts, increasing Safe and Accessible Multimodal Transportation Options, supporting improved Scenario Planning activities as input to updates to the region’s Long Range Transportation Plan, efforts to improve the Resilience of the Transportation Systems, and supporting Emerging Transportation Technologies such as increased adoption of electric vehicles.
Additionally, the new UPWP document outlines key work elements, including developing and maintaining the region’s Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Rural Transportation Plan (RLRTP), Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and regional Performance Management metrics. The new UPWP also seeks to advance several special studies and analyses requested by member jurisdictions. Overarching all of this work are multiple and diverse Public Participation activities and opportunities helping to ensure that all residents of Hampton Roads have meaningful input on the future of transportation in the region.
In line with federal requirements, the Hampton Roads FY 2025 UPWP has been completed in cooperation with the Virginia Departments of Transportation and Rail and Public Transportation and the three regional transit agencies (Hampton Roads Transit, Suffolk Transit, and Williamsburg Area Transit). Further, HRTPO Board members and Transportation Technical Committee representatives provided early input and direction on specific planning priorities and study efforts to be included in the UPWP update. Also, the Draft FY 2025 UPWP document was posted for public review and comment prior to adoption.
As detailed in the accompanying chart, the total funding allocated in FY 2025 across all agencies and activities is $20.4 million, with Federal and State funding making up 93% of this amount.
The complete approved FY 2025 Unified Planning Work Program can be viewed at the following link: https://www.hrtpo.org/462/Unified-Planning-Work-Program