About the TMA

Transportation Management Areas (TMAs) are urbanized areas (UZAs) with populations greater than 200,000 as determined by the 2010 Census. The 2010 urban areas were delineated independent of existing urban boundaries that were derived from the 2000 U.S. Census. In March 2012, the Census Bureau published the list of UZAs in the Federal Register. UZAs with populations exceeding 200,000 included Tampa/St. Petersburg.

The Tampa Bay TMA encompasses a population of 2,441,770 people spanning theboundaries of three counties: Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas. Notable portions of Hillsborough and Pasco counties are located outside of the TMA boundary, while nearly all of Pinellas (92%) lies within. While federal guidelines state that, to the extent possible, only one MPO shall be designated for each urbanized area, more than one may be designated when the Governor and the existing MPO(s) determine that the size and complexity of the area makes designation of more than one MPO appropriate. The Tampa Bay TMA stands as an exception, with each MPO corresponding to its respective unique and diverse portions of the urbanized area. Though each is a separate, independent organization, the three MPOs hold a vested interest in how their transportation networks relate to one another, and recognize the fact that the transportation systems of the three-county area are closely linked.

Purpose

The TMA Leadership group was formed in 2013 to develop regional consensus priorities for the TMA, especially in the allocation of federal and state funds. The group focuses on major cross-county transportation markets and traffic movements, and on helping the Tampa Bay metropolitan area speak with one voice in discussions of regional transportation prioritization issues and financial resources. Initial tasks have included developing TMA priorities and a bus rapid transit (BRT) project serving the three counties.

Members

The Leadership is comprised of nine voting members, three from each MPO board, and non-voting advisors from FDOT and TBARTA. Staff support is provided by the three MPOs and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, as needed.

Organization

The TMA Leadership Group acts in an advisory role to each of the three MPOs. Leadership members are responsible for conveying concerns of their respective MPOs to the TMA group, and for conveying TMA group discussion and recommendations back to the MPOs.

Meetings of the Tampa Bay TMA Leadership Group are held approximately every other month, on the first Friday of the month, at a central location.  Meetings of the TMA staff support group are held by conference call on the first and third Fridays of the month prior to each Leadership meeting.

See the TMA Profile for more information about the TMA Leadership Group as well as the management area.

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