FHWA Resource Center
PLANNING and FREIGHT TEAM
Tribal Planning
Transportation influences almost every aspect of our lives. Therefore, transportation planning plays a fundamental role in helping a community to shape a vision for its future. Transportation planning enables communities to identify broad goals to meet transportation needs through informed decision-making. This includes a consideration of multimodal strategies; an evaluation process that encompasses diverse viewpoints; the collaborative participation of relevant agencies and organizations; and open, timely, and meaningful public involvement. The strategies for achieving the identified goals should address current and future land use, economic development, environment, traffic demand, public safety, health, and social needs among others.
With the utmost respect for tribal sovereignty, the FHWA is committed to building more effective day-to-day working relationships among the Federal government, State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, local governments, and Indian Tribal Governments. Affirmed in treaties, Supreme Court decisions, and executive orders, the FHWA has a government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribal Governments and requires that the FHWA and other Federal agencies consult with Tribes regarding policy and regulatory matters. Additionally, 23 USC 134 and 23 USC 135 establish consultation requirements with tribes through the Statewide and Metropolitan planning and programming processes.
For additional information on Tribal Transportation Planning, please contact:
Brian Betlyon Brian.Betlyon@dot.gov
Tribal Planning Links
FHWA Office of Planning (HEPP) Tribal Transportation Planning - FHWA Tribal Transportation Planning Home Page. This page provides general information and links to other resources.
Transportation Planning Capacity Building Program (TPCB)Tribal Planning website provides assistance transportation officials and staff to resolve increasingly complex issues related to tribal transportation. This link will take you directly to TPCB Tribal Planning Page.