Requiring the department of transportation to ensure equal representation for the development of statewide urban design specifications

Under current law, the department of transportation (DOT) is responsible for, among other things, certain planning and programming activities. These responsibilities include planning all modes of transportation to develop an integrated transportation system that provides adequate transportation services for all Iowans; developing and maintaining statistical data; establishing, analyzing, and evaluating alternative transportation policies; coordinating planning efforts across the DOT’s divisions; annually reporting on the condition and details of nonprimary highways; and studying and developing highway transport economics to ensure the availability and productivity of highway transport services. This bill adds to the DOT’s planning and programming responsibilities a requirement to ensure equal representation between governmental and nongovernmental entities in developing statewide urban design specifications.