The transportation planning that occurs in the 18 RPAs throughout Iowa includes modes in addition to highways. The RPA plan guidelines call for integrating existing local and state plans concerning land use, economic development, housing, tourism, multi-modal transportation and the environment. Each RPA has the flexibility to create a transportation plan and improvement program that meets the existing and future needs of its region. Iowa has one Native Indian settlement, known as the Mesquaki Indian Settlement, and its representatives are invited to meetings concerning planning issues, which either impact them or are of interest to them. There are limited federal lands in Iowa, so federal land management agencies are seldom involved in the state's transportation planning.
Transportation is funded in Iowa through federal, state, and local monies.
All of Iowa's MPOs and RPAs share STP funds, which are distributed on a per-capita basis. Federal transit funds for planning, operations, and improvements are programmed through the RPAs and MPOs. Transit projects are submitted, evaluated, and prioritized by the transit agencies. The long-range plan and STIP are made available for formal public comment before being finalized. The RPAs serve in the capacity of RPOs for transportation planning.