Public Comment Period: Congestion Management Process

Press Release

Draft Congestion Management Process: Congestion Monitoring and Strategy Evaluation

The Ozarks Transportation Organization (OTO) announces a public comment period for the Congestion Management Process: Congestion Monitoring and Strategy Evaluation (CMP). All MPO’s that serve a metropolitan area with a population greater than 200,000 are required by federal law to develop a Congestion Management Process (CMP).

The CMP is a multi-phased program that monitors congestion and tracks efforts to mitigate that congestion. Mitigation includes operational improvements, behavioral changes, and added capacity. The process evaluates congestion based on (1) volume-to-capacity ratios, (2) crash frequencies, (3) peak travel delay, and (4) intersection level of service. The process also tracks capacity and operational improvements completed in the OTO area. Completed projects can be compared to changes in congestion to measure the success of the completed projects.

In 2024, these metrics were compared to the previous CMP completed in 2019, resulting in the following findings:

• 2023 per capita VMT for the OTO area has rebounded to the 2019 level after the decline due to COVID 19 in 2020. Data shows the VMT increase of 331,477 miles traveled daily, or 5.9%, since 2019. The OTO area population estimate has increased by 19,003 people, or 5.7%, since 2019.
• There was an increase in crashes at 134 intersections and a decrease at 93. Compared to MPO averages, 18% (44 of 240) signalized intersections had an acceptable number of crashes in 2024. This is a significant improvement compared to 25% (54 of 220) of intersections having an above-average crash frequency in 2019.
• A total of 32 intersections saw improved LOS and 21 intersections saw deteriorated LOS during morning commutes between 2019-2024. The PM commute saw similar movements, with 33 improving and 16 deteriorating.
• Overall improvement in intersection LOS demonstrates the effectiveness of roadway operations and signalization improvements in the OTO. Prioritized projects including fiber connections and further investment in Traffic Management Center resources have proven effective.
• Adding lanes has lowered volume to capacity ratios on roads that were considered over capacity in 2019. Conversion of US 160 from Springfield to Willard to a four lane expressway from a super-two lane road, adding lanes and turn lanes on Hwy 14 east and west of US 65, six laning US 65 from US 60 to Rte CC, and adding lanes on James River Freeway from US 65 to National Ave are examples where lower volume to capacity ratios have improved travel speeds.

How to comment:
Online: http://giveusyourinput.org
Email: comment@ozarkstransportation.org
Fax: 417-862-6013
In writing: OTO, 2208 W. Chesterfield Blvd., Suite 101, Springfield, MO 65807

The public comment period will end on September 18, 2024 at 5 p.m. The OTO Board of Directors will review and consider approving the Amendments at their September 19, 2024 Board Meeting, held at 12:00 noon. After reviewing recommendations and entertaining public comment, the OTO Board of Directors will decide whether to formally accept the CMP.

For more information, contact: Natasha Longpine, Principal Planner, Ozarks Transportation Organization, 2208 W. Chesterfield Boulevard, Suite 101, Springfield, Missouri 65807, 417-865-3042.

Ozarks Transportation Organization is your Springfield-regional Metropolitan Planning Organization, or MPO. The MPO is a body of elected and appointed members who work together with local, state and federal elected officials and policy-makers, serving to make funding and planning decisions for transportation within the Springfield, MO region.

Public input is a cornerstone of our operations. To tell us what you think, please email us at comment@ozartstransportation.org. Find us on Facebook, or on Twitter @theOTOMPO. Or call us at 417-865-3042, or stop by our office at 2208 W. Chesterfield Boulevard, Suite 101, in beautiful Chesterfield Village.

Si usted necesita la ayuda de un traductor, por favor comuníquese con David Knaut al 417-865-3042, al menos 48 horas antes del plazo.

Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact David Knaut at 417-865-3042 at least 2 working days prior to the expiration of the public comment period.

If you need relay services please call the following numbers: 711 - Nationwide relay service; 1-800-735-2966 - Missouri TTY service; 1-800-735-0135 - Missouri voice carry-over service.

OTO fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. For more information or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, see www.ozarkstransportation.org, or call 417-865-3042.