About SERTPO

A Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) is an entity tasked with recognizing local transportation requirements, conducting planning activities, aiding local governments, and contributing to the statewide transportation planning procedure in non-metropolitan areas of a state. In Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) designates RTPOs as a means to formalize the involvement of officials and essential stakeholders from rural regions, ensuring the integration of rural transportation needs into the statewide transportation planning process.

The inception of the Southeastern  Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SERTPO) occurred under the auspices of the Southern Oklahoma Development Association (SODA), entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing regional transportation planning across the ten counties within SODA's service area. SODA operates as the Council of Government (COG) for southern and central Oklahoma, comprising Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Coal, Garvin, Johnston, Love, Marshall, Murray, and Pontotoc counties. In a significant development in October 2023, the Kiamichi Economic Development District of Oklahoma (KEDDO) became a part of the RTPO, extending its coverage to include Choctaw, Pittsburg, Haskell, Pushmataha, Le Flore, Latimer, and McCurtain Counties, thereby encompassing the entirety of Southeastern Oklahoma.

A Transportation Policy Board, consisting of delegates from prominent employers, ODOT, transit operators, Native American tribes, municipalities, and counties, offers policy guidance and planning counsel to SERTPO. Meanwhile, a Transportation Technical Committee serves as a collaborative body, drawing upon the technical proficiency of member jurisdictions to assess all regional transportation planning endeavors and procedures, subsequently advising the Policy Board.

Benefits of an RTPO

  • An RTPO enhances the level of public awareness in transportation planning across all regions, gaining input on transportation issues that at one time were not addressed. The RTPO facilitates collaboration among county commissions, mayors, circuit engineering districts, ODOT Division Engineers, city officials, business owners, and local citizens. Other benefits of the RTPO program in Oklahoma include the following:

  • An established regional resource for transportation planning and information to aid the ODOT Divisions in assisting local governments and citizens.

  • Collecting socio-economic data that can be used for ODOT’s required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process as applicable in the region. In areas of non-attainment for ozone, this data can be used as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirement for Conformity and Maintenance in air quality.

  • Building relationships between local municipalities and COGs and ODOT

  • Building relationships between CEDs and COGs and ODOT

  • Building relationships between County Commissioners and COGs and ODOT

  • Gathering Geographic Infomation System (GIS) data on rural roads and bridges that ODOT does not currently have access to or current information on.

  • Enhancing public awareness and involvement through an established public involvement process aiding ODOT’s public involvement efforts when new projects requiring public meetings or hearings occur in the region.

  • Identifying key issues and trends for the region’s transportation system providing ODOT Divisions a more accurate understanding of the region’s needs.

  • Providing technical assistance in preparation of grants such as Transportation Alternative Program (TAP), Safe Routes to School, and Fastlane.

Tasks/Functions of SERTPO

The primary function of SERTPO is the development of a regional Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The LRTP establishes transportation goals and identifies strategies to reach the goals.

The LRTP addresses a forecast period of at least twenty (20) years and includes long-range and short-range strategies for the development of an integrated, intermodal transportation system that facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods.The LRTP projects the conditions affecting surface transportation through a process of applying reasonable assumptions, technical analysis, and financial projections, recommends a future intermodal transportation system and reflects consideration of the area land use and development patterns. The plan will also include a prioritized project list for the region and counties.

Other tasks and functions of SERTPO include the following:

  • Preparation of a SERTPO Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

  • Coordination of local planning, land use, and economic development

  • Provision of technical assistance to local officials

  • Participation in national, multi-state, and state policy and planning and development processes

  • Facilitation of a forum for public participation in regional and statewide planning

  • Coordination of plans and programs with neighboring RTPOs and Metropolitan Planning Organizations