St. Joseph Area Transportation Study Organization


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The St. Joseph Area Transportation Study Organization (SJATSO) is responsible for developing transportation plans and programs for the St. Joseph, Missouri metropolitan area. SJATSO member governments include the Counties of Buchanan and Andrew, the Cities of St. Joseph and Savannah, and the Village of Country Club in the State of Missouri; and the County of Doniphan, and the Cities of Wathena and Elwood in the State of Kansas.

As the region’s designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), SJATSO is responsible for:

• Encouraging and promoting the development of a transportation system that embraces all modes of transportation in a manner which will efficiently maximize the mobility of people and goods within and through the urbanized area, while minimizing transportation-related fuel consumption and air pollution;

• Plans and programs that provide for the development of transportation facilities (including non-motorized facilities) that will function as an intermodal transportation system for the St. Joseph metropolitan area, and the nation;

• Identifying low-income and minority populations so that their needs can be identified and addressed to ensure that plans comply with Title VI and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements; and

• The process for developing such plans and programs, which shall provide for consideration of all transportation modes and shall be continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive to the degree appropriate, based on the complexity of the transportation problems.

Under the authority of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), MPOs are agencies that administer the federally required transportation planning process in urbanized areas having greater than 50,000 residents. The plans and programs provide for the development of an integrated, intermodal transportation system that facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods, evaluates and plans for all transportation modes, supports community development, and advances social and environmental goals.