Tom Beck, AICP Principal Planner Phone: (317) 327-5646 Fax: (317) 327-5950  E-mail: tjbeck@indy.gov

Tom joined the MPO staff in July, 2008.   He currently serves as Principal Planner focusing on Freight Transportation issues and the Congestion Management Process (CMP).   Originally from Ft. Wayne, Tom graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with a bachelor’s degree in Community Development and Planning from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.   Prior to joining the MPO staff, Tom most recently served as a Senior Planner for the Hillsborough County MPO in Tampa, Florida, focusing on freight and multi-modal passenger transportation.

From 1989 through 2006, Tom worked in the Rail Office of the Indiana Department of Transportation.   He served as rail planner for freight and passenger services for many of those years and, from 2004 through 2006, served as Manager of the Office, overseeing planning activities for both freight and passenger operations, code enforcement responsibilities, rail infrastructure grant and loan activities and communications for the State’s rail programs and other pertinent rail issues.

Tom’s current work with the MPO represents his second time working in planning for the Indianapolis region.   From 1985 through 1989 he served as a Comprehensive Land Use Planner in the Division of Planning.   One of his work activities in the late 1980’s focused on land use planning in the Indianapolis Airport area.   Much of that work has continued relevancy with his current freight planning responsibilities, as those earlier land use strategies have resulted in strong growth in multimodal freight, distribution and logistics businesses in areas surrounding the airport.

Tom sees the development of a strong Congestion Management Process as a key to promoting a more sustainable transportation network throughout our region.   He lives in the very walkable Garfield Park neighborhood on the near south side of Indianapolis where he appreciates having good access to multiple modes for his travel options.    His current primary responsibilities with the MPO include:

• Overseeing the Congestion Management Process (CMP)
• Multimodal Freight Planning
• Coordination of CMP recommendations into the Long Range Transportation Plan
• Developing a project review process to help reduce growth in single occupancy vehicle usage in the region.