Public Participation

Public Participation: Text

A Public Participation Plan (PPP) describes an MPO's strategies and techniques to inform and engage the public in transportation planning issues with the goal and purpose of maximizing participation and effectiveness. Public participation is integral to good transportation policies, programs, and projects. Without meaningful public involvement, there is a risk of making poor decisions or decisions that have unintended negative consequences. The MPO is responsible for actively involving all affected parties in an open, cooperative, and collaborative process that provides meaningful opportunities to influence transportation decisions. WAMPO is committed to understanding our communities diverse transportation needs, concerns, and ideas about what needs to change or be improved.

Any public comments can be sent to wampo@wampo.org

Public Participation Plan

Adopted December 2022

Public Comment Opportunities

WAMPO 2025 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)

The 2025 UPWP Public Comment Period Is Open

The Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) has opened the public comment period for its 2025 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), September 9, 2024, through October 8, 2024. Public comments received during this period will be reported to and considered by the WAMPO Transportation Policy Body (TPB), which will decide whether to approve the 2025 UPWP at their November 12, 2024, meeting.

The Unified Planning Work Program is WAMPO’s primary budgeting document for planning activities during the year (January 1-December 31). Funding for the UPWP comes from various sources, including federal Comprehensive Planning Grant (CPG) funds, which require a 20% local match (i.e., 80% federal funding, 20% local funding). The CPG/local-match expenditures in the 2025 UPWP total $2,786,495.

In 2025, the planning priorities and activities will include, among other things:

Development of Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2050 (MTP 2050).
Safety initiatives and activities, including supporting the ICT Safe Coalition, implementing the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CSAP), facilitating the use of awarded Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Demonstration Grant funds, and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) plan development.
Bicycle and pedestrian planning, including development of the Regional Active Transportation Plan.
Multimodal and Complete Streets planning to increase safe and accessible options for multiple travel modes for people of all ages and abilities.
Public transit and paratransit planning, including completing the Regional Transit Implementation Plan.
Engaging and involving the public and stakeholders in transportation decision-making in the region. Updating the WAMPO Title VI Program and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan.
Administration of the FFY2025-FFY2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
Transportation data collection and modeling. Updating the Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Architecture.
Participation in and support of community and planning partners with regionally significant projects.

The draft 2025 Unified Planning Work Program and information about the public comment period are available on the WAMPO website: https://www.wampo.org/upwp.

Paper copies of the draft 2025 UPWP may also be viewed at the WAMPO offices, 271 W. 3rd St., Suite. 208, Wichita, KS 67202, and at the Wichita Advanced Learning Library, 711 West 2nd St N, Wichita, KS 67203.

Please submit comments, questions, and concerns to wampo@wampo.org.

WAMPO 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 Discrimination Complaint Form, see www.wampo.org or call 316.779.1313.