State and Local Policy Database

Transportation Summary

Transportation accounts for between 25% and 38% of energy use in most cities in industrialized countries. Local governments, in partnership with metropolitan planning organizations and regional transportation authorities, play a critical role when it comes to maximizing this sector’s energy efficiency potential. Municipalities, for instance, must take the lead in shaping land use, as they have jurisdiction over zoning laws and regulations. Likewise, central cities and other job centers can have a significant influence over commuting behavior and choices, which are major factors in transportation energy use. Metrics in this section are, in most cases, policies that local policymakers can have influence over in the short run. Policies concerning all modes of transportation and the corresponding infrastructure are included in this section, including personal vehicles, public transportation, and freight.

The transportation authority serving Arlington County is The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. WMATA also provides the public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including public bike, subway and bus service. The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Washington, and many surrounding Virginia and Maryland jurisdictions. The Department of Environmental Services is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network.

Last updated: May 2017

The transportation authority that serves the City of Birmingham is the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA), commonly referred to as MAX. MAX also provides public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including bus service. The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Birmingham and many surrounding counties. The Department of Traffic Engineering is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network.

Last updated: October 2021

The transportation authority serving the city of Boulder is Go Boulder, which provides the public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including bus service. The Denver Regional Council of Governments is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Boulder, and many surrounding cities and counties.  The Transportation Division is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network.

Last Updated: October 2015

The transportation authority serving the city of Burlington is The Chittenden County Transportation Authority. CCTA also provides the public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, bus and regional commuter service. The Burlington-Graham MPO is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Burlington, and many surrounding towns. The Department of Public Works is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network.

Last updated: October 2015

The transportation authority serving the town of Carrboro is Chapel Hill Transit.  Chapel Hill Transit provides the public transportation for the town and the broader metropolitan area, including bus service.  The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro MPO is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning.  Its area of jurisdiction encompasses the western part of the research triangle in North Carolina.  The Planning Division is the town department charged with managing the town’s transportation network.

Last updated: April 2014

Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network. CAT provides bus services to Charlottesville and the broader metropolitan area. Charlottesville residents can also use the Jaunt vanpool service. The Charlottesville-Albemarle MPO is in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Charlottesville and surrounding jurisdictions.

Last updated: October 2015

The Dubuque Department of Transportation is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network. “The Joule” is the public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area bus and trolley service. The East Central Intergovernmental Association is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Dubuque, and many surrounding Iowa cities and towns.

Last Updated: October 2013

The transportation authority serving the city of El Paso is Sun Metro. Sun Metro also provides public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including bus and streetcar service. El Paso MPO is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses El Paso, TX, and Dona Ana and Otero Counties in New Mexico. The Department of Transportation is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network.

Last updated: January 2017

The transportation authority serving the city of Fort Worth is The Fort Worth Transportation Authority. The T also provides public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including bus and light rail service. The North Central Texas Council of Governments is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses the Dallas-Fort Worth area as well as many surrounding counties. The Department of Transportation and Public Works is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network.

Last updated: January 2017

The transportation authority serving the City of Jacksonville is the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. JTA also provides public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including bus, light rail, and trolley service. The First Coast MPO is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Jacksonville, and many surrounding cities and towns. The Department of Public Works is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network.

Last updated: January 2017

The Lawrence Transit Department is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network. The T is the public bus transportation for the city. The Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Lawrence, and many surrounding cities and towns.

Last Updated: October 2013

The transportation authority serving Oklahoma City is The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA). COPTA provides public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including bus and river ferry services. The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Oklahoma City, and many surrounding cities and towns. Oklahoma City's Public Transportation and Parking Department is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network.

Last updated: January 2021

The Department of Public Works is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network, Park City Transit. Park City Transit also provides the public trolley transportation for the city.

Last updated: October 2015

The transportation authority serving the City of Virginia Beach is The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR). The organization that provides public transportation services to six localities within the Hampton Roads area, including the City of Virginia Beach, is Hampton Roads Transit (HRT). HRT provides public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including bus and associated paratransit services, Oceanfront Resort Area shuttle service, river ferry, and fixed guideway transit light rail service. 

The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Authority (HRTPO) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Virginia Beach and the many surrounding cities and towns in the Hampton Roads area. The Department of Public Works is the city agency charged with managing the
implementation, operations, and maintenance of the city’s transportation network.

Last updated: January 2017