Metropolitan planning issues are by nature complex and interconnected, crossing multiple jurisdictions with differing political cultures, demographic makeup and economic or ecological needs. Regional transportation planning occurs in this context. Roads, bridges, transit systems, bike lanes and sidewalks connect people of all income levels to jobs and other opportunities. Rail lines, highways and ports connect regional goods to larger national and global markets. Traffic congestion, development patterns, air quality, public health and quality of life are all influenced by federal policy and the decisions made by individual jurisdictions and state departments of transportation. At the intersection of this complexity is the MPO.