Basemap at 2026 AMPO Conference in Lexington, Kentucky
We attended the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) Planning Tools and Training Symposium (20–23 April 2026) in Lexington, Kentucky, joining MPO professionals from across the US to explore the latest tools, data, and approaches shaping transport planning.
Across three days of highly interactive sessions, a clear set of themes emerged, highlighting how data, safety, and sustainable transport are increasingly central to decision making.
About the Event
The Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) supports MPOs through technical training, leadership development, and a strong peer network for knowledge sharing. The symposium is one of several events held throughout the year, alongside the Annual Conference and regular interest groups.
At its core, the Planning Tools and Training Symposium focused on the technical issues that MPOs face and the tools available to address them. This included sessions split into two tracks: MPO 101 (for less experienced staff and those interested in a refresher) and MPO Deep Dive (for seasoned professionals). These sessions encouraged collaboration and provided opportunities to understand how different MPOs are tackling the same problems, helping share and build best practice.
Data and Decision Making
A recurring question throughout the conference was not just what data is available, but how effectively it is being used. Many sessions emphasised the growing role of dashboards and visual tools in making complex datasets accessible to stakeholders and the public.
In the Design Better Maps and Geospatial Apps session, we worked through a problem statement to design a user-focused web app. This highlighted a common challenge across MPOs: breaking down internal data silos and translating technical outputs into tools that support real-world decision making.
Safety and Vision Zero
Safety was another major focus, particularly in the context of Vision Zero ambitions. Sessions explored both data-driven approaches, such as crash analysis and road safety audits, and practical interventions to improve pedestrian access.
The Safe Routes to School session stood out, examining a real-world case where most pupils lived within walking distance, yet car use dominated due to unsafe conditions. The discussion highlighted how small failures such as poor signage and inadequate crossings can undermine wider policy goals.
Sustainable transport and network design
Encouraging public transport, walking, and cycling remained a central priority, both to reduce emissions and improve network efficiency.
Interactive sessions like the Prairieville Network Design Game demonstrated the real trade-offs planners face, particularly between network coverage and service frequency under constrained budgets. Similarly, the Corridor Prioritisation Lab showed how different weighting of criteria can significantly change investment decisions, reinforcing the importance of transparent and adaptable methodologies.
What this means for MPOs
The event reinforced a strong and ongoing shift towards sustainable transport, driven by the need to reduce emissions, improve public health, and manage congestion more effectively. At the same time, both the demand for high-quality data and its availability are increasing, creating new opportunities to support funding bids and strengthen decision making.
Where Basemap fits in
The event also provided valuable opportunities to engage with MPO professionals both during sessions and at our stand. These conversations reinforced the importance of robust, accessible data in supporting funding bids and policy decisions.
Tools such as TRACC play an important role here, helping MPOs quantify accessibility and better understand the effects of transport interventions. By enabling users to test different scenarios such as removing unsafe walking links or adding new pedestrian bridges and bus routes, TRACC makes it easier to evaluate options and support evidence-based decisions.
Key Takeaways
- Data is only valuable if it is accessible and actionable
- Safety remains central, with Vision Zero shaping many strategies
- Trade-offs in network design are still a core challenge
- Demand for robust, evidence-based decision making is growing
What’s Next?
We’re looking forward to attending future AMPO events and catching up with existing TRACC users. These events provide a valuable opportunity to better understand the challenges MPOs are facing and how they are responding to them.
Beyond the sessions, the symposium also offered a chance to experience Lexington’s local culture, including its renowned distilleries and horse racing.
Overall, the symposium highlighted a sector that is increasingly data-driven, collaborative, and focused on delivering safer, more sustainable transport systems. If you’d like to explore how TRACC can support your organisation in making better use of data and advancing sustainable transport goals, get in touch.