The federal government requires a regional transportation planning process in urbanized areas with over fifty thousand population. This process is carried out by metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) that have been jointly designated by local governments and the state. The intent is that the regional transportation planning program be integrated with the metropolitan planning organization program in these urbanized areas. RCW 47.80.020 requires that RTPOs shall be the same organization as that designated as the MPO. The regional transportation planning program provides the opportunity for transportation planning in rural areas within the RTPO. The department intends to jointly administer these two programs.