Documents
Planning Documents
DARTS develops and maintains four (4) major planning documents in accordance with the continuous, cooperative and comprehensive planning process detailed in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Public Law No. 114-94 and carried forward into the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)/ Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), and the Public Participation Plan (PPP). These documents are needed to meet federal, and state standards for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs).
The Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)
The MTP is the single most important document produced by the MPO. It governs the expenditures of Federal and State highway dollars, including priority based transportation investments to address current and long range needs.
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a comprehensive transportation planning document that lists all Federal, State, and locally funded transportation projects within the MPO’s planning area which, for the DARTS, encompasses all of the City of Albany, Dougherty County, Lee County and Leesburg. All modes of transportation and transportation infrastructure are contained within the TIP, including roadways, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, bridges, and public transit, among others. The TIP is a short-range plan, required by federal regulation to be updated a minimum of every four years. The development of the TIP is coordinated with the GDOT, and projects funded within the TIP must also be included in the MTP.
The FY 2024 – 2027 TIP was approved on September 21, 2023 by the DARTS Policy Committee. That document can be viewed below:
The FY21-24 TIP was approved on June , 2021 by the DARTS Policy Committee. The document and its amendments and administrative modification can be viewed below:
FY-21-2024 TIP With Resolution
FY21-24 TIP Admin Modification – Albany Transit Center Update
FY21-24 TIP Admin Modification – PTASP Safety Resolution
FY-21-2024 TIP Admin Modification – SR520BU @ FLINT RIVER IN ALBANY (PI# 0013992)
FY21-24 TIP Admin Modification (5307 & 5303 Adjustments)
FY21-24 TIP Amendment (P.I.# 0013562)
FY21-24 TIP Amendment (PI# 0013562 & PI# 15475)
Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)
The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is adopted annually by the Dougherty Area Regional Transportation Study (DARTS) and identifies the major transportation planning activities to be undertaken for the coming year. An important element of the UPWP is the continuing update and maintenance of land use, demographic, and travel data needed to apply the regional travel demand model, which forecasts travel demands based on population and employment projections along with transportation facilities and services.
The FY 2024 UPWP was approved on February 21, 2024 by the DARTS Policy Committee.
Previous DARTS UPWP can be viewed below:
FY 24 DARTS Unified Planning Work Program (Signed Resolution)
FY 23 DARTS Unified Planning Work Program (Signed)
FY 22 UPWP with Resolution
Special PL Funding Studies
The Dougherty Area Regional Transportation Study (DARTS) has developed a Regional Freight Profile to ensure consistency with federal freight planning guidelines and better position DARTS to improve goods movement in the Albany region. The locally-driven planning process focused on gaining consensus on freight priorities to promote regional economic competitiveness. The plan addresses roadway, rail, and air cargo movement in the DARTS study area, which includes the City of Albany, Dougherty County, and the southern part of Lee County. The document can be viewed below:
The DARTS 2022 Bicycle Pedestrian plan is a comprehensive review and update of the 2011 Bike and Pedestrian Plan for Dougherty Area Regional Transportation Study Metropolitan Planning Organization (DARTS MPO). The Bike and Pedestrian Plan update will build upon data collected in 2011 by examining DARTS MPO’s policies, projects, high-traffic areas, and community input to establish strategies and performance measures. These measures will guide the planning, funding, and implementation of projects to create a recommended network for walking and biking throughout the DARTS MPO area. The plan will consider bike and pedestrian improvements based on existing conditions, existing plans, and the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists. Consistent with the 2045 Long Range Plan and Southwest Georgia Regional Commission’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, the plan identifies both specific projects for implementation and general policies to guide future decision making. The document can be viewed below: