PCTPA was created as the transportation planning agency for Placer County excluding the Lake Tahoe basin.  PCTPA represents Placer County and six incorporated cities located within the political boundary of Placer County. In total, Placer County contains 1,506 square miles ranging in elevation from 160 feet to nearly 9,500 feet.

PCTPA Jurisdiction

Local Transportation Fund Administration:  As the transportation planning agency, PCTPA allocates the Local Transportation Fund (LTF) to Placer County public transportation agencies.  The administration of these funds includes the establishment of a Social Service Transportation Advisory Council, the implementation of a citizen participation process appropriate for Placer County, annual recommendations for productivity improvements for transit operators, the performance of an annual fiscal audit of all LTF claimants, the implementation of a triennial performance audit of all LTF claimants, and the preparation of an annual unmet transit needs determination. 

Federal Transportation Planning and Programming:  PCTPA has executed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Caltrans and the Sacramento Council of Governments (SACOG) to govern federal transportation planning and programming in Placer County.  This agreement integrates the PCTPA Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) within the SACOG process.  

Pursuant to this agreement, PCTPA receives a "fair share" allocation of both federal urbanized Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds and Congestion Air Quality Mitigation Improvement Program funds (CMAQ).  PCTPA submits the state mandated RTP to SACOG for inclusion in the federal Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).  As part of this agreement, SACOG conducts a federal air quality conformity test on the Placer County transportation program and plan. 

Passenger Rail Administration: PCTPA is statutorily designated as a member of the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA).  Through an interagency agreement with Caltrans, the CCJPA administers the intercity rail service on the San Jose-Colfax railroad corridor. 

Airport Land Use Commission: PCTPA was designated the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) for Placer County in 1996. PCTPA acts as the hearing body for land use planning for Placer County airports.  PCTPA is also responsible for the development of airport land use plans for Placer County airports. 

Overall Work Program: The Overall Work Program (OWP) is the primary management tool for PCTPA, identifying the activities and a schedule of work for regional transportation planning in Placer County (excluding the Tahoe Basin). The Overall Work Program (OWP) documents the management, budgetary, and monitoring activities performed annually by PCTPA.   It is developed annually for Caltrans review and for approval by the PCTPA Board of Directors.  The OWP is the result of input from jurisdiction management, public works and planning officials, air district management, elected officials, and the general public.  A new OWP is prepared for each fiscal year.