Being a member of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is a great opportunity for community members who are interested in regional transportation issues. This is an excellent chance to provide input to decision-makers and promote public involvement in the regional planning process!
The TPB is accepting applications October 4 – December 2 for new committee members. Community members selected for the CAC will begin their terms in winter 2025. Continue reading to learn about the committee and submit your application.
Who is involved in the CAC?
The CAC is a group of 24 residents of the metropolitan Washington region who represent diverse viewpoints on regional transportation issues. CAC members represent environmental, business, and civic interests in transportation.
- Fifteen of the 24 members are appointed evenly among the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
- An additional nine members are appointed to represent TPB member jurisdictions, different perspectives on transportation, and to ensure a diverse committee including representation of low-income individuals, people with disabilities, and traditionally disadvantaged racial and ethnic population groups.
CAC commitment
The CAC meets once a month on the Thursday six days prior to the monthly TPB meeting. This is typically the second Thursday of the month. Meetings are held in the evening from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. and will be either virtual or hybrid (combination of in-person and online). In-person meetings are usually held at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments located at 777 North Capitol Street NE in Washington, DC.
What is the role of the CAC?
The CAC advises the TPB and offers comments to the board on its work activities, reflecting the committee’s diverse viewpoints. Over the years, the CAC has focused on key regional transportation issues. Recent topics of interest include transportation safety, providing input to DMVMoves—an initiative to develop a unified vision and sustainable funding model for public transit in our region—climate resiliency, the transportation needs of older adults, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The committee has also identified opportunities to enhance the TPB’s ongoing public participation activities.
The mission of the TPB Community Advisory Committee is:
- to promote public involvement in transportation planning for the region,
- to advance equitable representation in regional transportation planning, and
- to provide independent, region-oriented citizen advice to the TPB on transportation plans and issues.
How to apply
An application form is available on the COG website. The application deadline is December 2, 2024.
For more information on the CAC’s activities, including committee reports and agendas, please visit mwcog.org/cac. Be sure to watch the About the CAC video on the CAC webpage to hear from current CAC members. You can also contact Laura Bachle at (202) 962-3273 or lbachle@mwcog.org.