The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) has once again set the national standard in transportation planning, earning six commendations from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its “innovative commitment” and “effective decision-making” to the Greater Cincinnati area.
One of over 400 U.S. metropolitan planning organizations (MPO), OKI is federally mandated and funded to oversee transportation policy across southwest Ohio (Butler, Hamilton, Warren and Clermont counties), southeast Indiana (Dearborn County) and northern Kentucky (Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties). The agency represents more than 2 million residents from nearly 200 communities.
The commendations, announced during OKI’s Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, Sept. 11, are the result of the agency’s Transportation Management Area Federal Certification Review conducted in October 2024. The FHWA Review is conducted every four years.
Sam Wallace of FHWA’s Ohio Division presented key findings from the final report to more than 100 attendees, highlighting OKI’s continued leadership in regional planning.
“OKI continues to set a standard for metropolitan planning organizations nationwide,” Wallace said. “OKI’s transportation planning program is a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive process that reflects significant and innovative commitment to deliver effective decision-making for transportation capital and operating investments in the greater Cincinnati area.”
FHWA, along with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), conducts a federally mandated review to ensure that MPOs serving urbanized areas of over 200,000 residents uphold the highest standards in transportation planning.
OKI Earned Commendations for the following:
• Housing Integration in Transportation Planning: OKI showed innovation by launching the Regional Housing Data Dashboard in 2024, through community input and a public workshop. It supports data-driven housing policy, aligns with IIJA priorities and serves as a potential national model.
• Congestion Management and ITS Excellence: By updating its Congestion Management Process and executing ITS initiatives—including a 10-year architecture plan, freight planning, and EV/CV integration—OKI is meeting statewide performance targets, all through in-house expertise.
• Website Enhancing Public Engagement: OKI’s redesigned website enhances public access to transportation planning resources, offering rich content across programs, funding, events and stakeholder forums.
• Advanced GIS Capabilities: With 30 interactive GIS applications spanning freight, transit, emergency response, housing and more, OKI’s upgraded platform delivers robust visualization and analytics to partners and the public.
• Freight Planning and Collaboration Leadership: OKI’s in-house Freight Plan, extensive visualizations and hosting of a multi-state freight conference highlight its leadership in multimodal planning and regional collaboration, supported by CRISI grants and mobility initiatives.
• Regional Transit Collaboration: OKI and six transit operators established the collaborative as a clearinghouse for transit-focused topics and issues. It has increased communication and coordination among the group, serving as a forum for timely discussions.
“Under CEO Mark Policinski’s visionary leadership, OKI’s exceptional team continues to redefine excellence in transportation planning,” said OKI Board President Josh Gerth. “Their unwavering commitment to innovation and efficiency has earned national recognition year after year, reinforcing OKI’s status as a national model.”
The six FHWA reviews since Policinski’s arrival in 2003 have resulted in the U.S. Department of Transportation awarding 30 commendations to OKI for the agency’s groundbreaking programs, policies and processes. In 2020 alone, OKI received 10 commendations. Both totals are believed to be unsurpassed nationally.
Nearly every OKI department has been recognized as a “Best Practice”—a distinction reserved for work that sets the standard for the over 400 other metropolitan planning organizations throughout the country.
One noteworthy example is OKI’s Prioritization Process for federal transportation dollars, which the Federal Highway Administration commended for its “objective, evolving approach to project evaluation.” The process ensures that 55% of evaluation criteria apply across all modes, fostering a balanced and forward-thinking transportation strategy.
“FHWA’s national commendations underscore what we know to be true locally — that OKI is a critical partner in growing the vibrancy and economic prosperity of the Cincinnati region,” said Brendon Cull, president & CEO at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Their commitment to building a more connected region is critical to making Cincinnati a growing, thriving region where everyone belongs.”
That sentiment echoes across the Ohio River. “OKI plays an enormous role in enhancing the quality of life in Northern Kentucky, and the entire Cincy region,” said Brent Cooper, President & CEO of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. “Their work behind the scenes — bringing people together, funding and planning for smart infrastructure, and thinking long-term – continues to drive our region and communities forward. We’re lucky to have them as a partner.”
