To assist in developing the long-range plan, MDOT established a Customer and Provider Advisory Committee, representing varied groups who use transportation as well as organizations that provide transportation services. This committee leads the effort to consider statewide transportation issues and reach a consensus on a series of statewide transportation goals, objectives, and actions to help achieve those goals. During development of the SLRP, over 100 public meetings and technical briefings were held at various locations throughout the state. Programming decisions for the Five Year Program and the STIP involve local officials in a variety of ways. MDOT delegates decisions to the RTFs for federal projects on the locally owned rural federal-aid road system.
Federal aid is distributed to rural task forces based on a set formula.
Before the task forces' annual meetings, there must be public meetings to which all local officials are invited. MDOT makes decisions on other projects. To guide those selections, MDOT regions maintain contact with local governments. MDOT regional offices and TSCs interact with county road commissioners, city and township governments, and the public regarding transportation programs, projects, and issues, including prioritization of projects for federal and trunkline projects. MDOT is also represented at local meetings, such as township, county, and city council meetings, to respond to local issues, funding issues, and needs for coordinating state and local projects.