ANCHORAGE METROPOLITAN AREA
TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS (AMATS)
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The Municipality fulfills its roles as the recognized Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Air Quality Planning Agency through the Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS). There are six primary participant groups in the AMATS planning and decision-making process:
- AMATS Policy Committee
- AMATS Technical Advisory Committee
- Air Quality Advisory Group
- MOA Planning and Zoning Commission
- Municipal Assembly
- AMATS staff
AMATS Policy Committee
The Policy Committee has the authority to act on all matters relating to the continuing, comprehensive and cooperative transportation and air quality planning process for the area.
The AMATS Policy Committee consists of five equal voting members: the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation or their designees, the Municipal Mayor, and two Municipal Assembly Members. The Chair of the Policy Committee is the ADOT&PF member.
The Policy Committee's responsibilities are:
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Establish the needs and priorities of transportation.
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Direct the preparation and implementation of transportation plans, programs and studies.
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Manage and secure funding to implement the Transportation Improvement Program.
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Provide overall direction to the AMATS Technical Advisory Committee and staff.
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Ensure public involvement throughout the AMATS Process.
AMATS Technical Advisory Committee
The AMATS Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) consists of 11 equal voting members: 1) the ADOT&PF Central Region Chief of Planning, 2) a representative from Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, 3) the Municipal Planning Department Director, 4) the Municipal Traffic Department Director, 5) the Municipal Public Transportation Director, 6) a representative from the Municipal Department of Health and Human Services, 7) a member of the Air Quality Advisory Group, 8) the Municipal Project Management & Engineering Director, 9) a representative from the Port of Anchorage, 10) the ADOT&PF Regional Pre-Construction Engineer, and 11) a representative from the Alaska Railroad Corporation. The Chair of the TAC is the Municipal Traffic Director. The duties of the Technical Advisory Committee include:
- Prepare and maintain the AMATS transportation plans, technical studies and programs.
- Provides recommendations to the Policy Committee regarding the effects of transportation and air quality plans and programs on the plans of other agencies.
- Provides recommendations to the Policy Committee in its review of federal and state funded transportation projects and programs.
- Receive public comments through the AMATS Citizens' Advisory Committee, the AMATS Citizens' Air Quality Advisory Committee and direct tasks to staff and the Air Quality Advisory Committee.
Municipal Assembly
To provide local government review and recommendations on AMATS Plans and Programs to the AMATS Policy Committee. The Assembly's duties are:
- Adopt by resolution the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
- Adopt the transportation element of the Comprehensive Plan.
- Adopt an Official Streets and Highways Plan.
- Adopt the local area component of the State Implementation Plan for Air Quality
- Assist in securing adequate funding to implement the transportation program.
- Designate two of the three local government representatives on the AMATS Policy Committee.
AMATS Citizens' Advisory Committee
(Municipal Planning & Zoning Commission)
In its capacity as the AMATS Citizen's Advisory Committee, the Planning and Zoning Commission reviews transportation plans and programs. In another capacity, the Planning and Zoning Commission reviews site selections and site plans for roadway improvement projects.
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Review transportation plans and programs and prepare recommendations to both the Municipal Assembly and the AMATS Policy Committee.
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Review and prepare recommendations on the elements of the Comprehensive Plan and the
Official Streets and Highways Plan to the Anchorage Assembly for Adoption.
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Advise and make recommendations to the AMATS Technical Advisory Committee and Assembly.
The AMATS Air Quality Advisory Group
The AMATS Air Quality Advisory Group is the citizens' forum for air quality issues affecting AMATS. Specific functions of the Group are to assist in promoting public participation in the air quality planning process and to comment on air quality planning issues. Members of this committee are appointed by the AMATS Policy Committee. DHHS is the coordinating agency for this committee. Contact: Municipality of Anchorage, Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Services Division, 825 'L' Street, Fifth floor. Mail: PO Box 196650, Anchorage, AK 99519-6650. Phone: 343-6976. FAX: 343-4786.
- Provide review and comment on air quality planning issues.
- Assist in promoting public participation in the air quality planning process.
AMATS Staff
Primary staff for AMATS is the Transportation Planning Division of the Municipal Traffic Department. The Project Management & Engineering and Planning Department, other divisions of the Traffic Department, the Environmental Services Division of the Municipal Department of Health and Human Services, the Municipal Public Transportation Department, and the Municipal Department of Cultural & Recreational Services furnish added support. The State of Alaska supports AMATS through its Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and its Department of Environmental Conservation. Staff Contact: Municipality of Anchorage, Traffic Department, Transportation Planning Division, 4700 Elmore Road. Mail: PO Box 196650, Anchorage, AK 99519-6650. Telephone: 343-8406.
FAX: 343-7998.
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