Definition – An authority
is a person or organisation having political or administrative powers, controls and responsibilities.
Relevance to SUMP – Local public authorities, such as a city, county or metropolitan council/municipality, typically have the powers and responsibility to develop a SUMP. In some cases there is a legislative requirement for the public authority to prepare a SUMP, while in other cases the decision to prepare a SUMP and show leadership on mobility issues is made on a voluntary basis.
The SUMP process recognises that a range of authorities beyond the public authority leading SUMP preparation can be important stakeholders in the process. See also governance and integration.
Source: GUIDEMAPS, 2004