Transportation Conformity and the MPO

Transportation conformity is required by the Clean Air Act section 176(c) (42 U.S.C. 7506(c)) to ensure that federal funding and approval are given to highway and transit projects that are consistent with, or conform to, the air quality goals established by a state air quality implementation plan (SIP).

Conformity means that transportation activities will not cause new air quality violations, worsen existing violations, or delay timely attainment of the national ambient air quality standards. Conformity applies to Metropolitan Transportation Plans (MTP), Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP) and highway and transit projects funded or approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Authority (FTA).

Transportation conformity requirements ensure that federal funds go to transportation activities that are consistent with an area's air quality goals.

A conformity determination estimates emissions that will result from an area's transportation system through modeling and demonstrates that those emissions are within the limits outlined in the state's air quality implementation plan or, State Implementation Plan (SIP).

The following describes entities involved and basic organizational obligations throughout the transportation conformity process:

Interagency consultation is required, which includes involvement by:

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Authority (FTA), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), VIA, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG), local governments and the general public.
  
• The MPO and TCEQ are responsible to meet legal public consultation requirements.

• The MPO has principal responsibility for demonstrating transportation conformity.

• FHWA and FTA are responsible for issuing a final conformity determination.