A. In performing the duties imposed under subsections A and B of § 33.2-1915, the commission shall cooperate with the governing bodies of the counties and cities embraced by the transportation district and agencies thereof, with the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and with an agency of which members of the district commission are also members, to the end that the plans, decisions, and policies for transportation shall be consistent with and shall foster the development and implementation of the general plans and policies of the counties and cities for their orderly growth and development.
B. Each commission member shall serve as the liaison between the commission and the body by which he was appointed, and those commission members who are also members of an agency shall provide liaison between the district commission and such agency, to the end that the district commission, its component governments, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and any such agency shall be continuously, comprehensively, and mutually advised of plans, policies, and actions requiring consideration in the planning for transportation and in the development of planned transportation facilities.
C. To assure that planning, policy, and decision-making are consistent with the development plans for the orderly growth of the counties and cities and coordinated with the plans and programs of the Commonwealth Transportation Board and are based on comprehensive data with respect to current and prospective local conditions, including land use, economic and population factors, the objectives for future urban development, and future travel demands generated by such considerations, the commission may:
1. Create, subject to their appointment, technical committees from the personnel of the agencies of the counties and cities and from the Commonwealth Transportation Board concerned with planning, collection, and analysis of data relevant to decision-making in the transportation planning process. Appointments to such technical committees, however, are to be made by the governing bodies of the counties and cities and by the Commonwealth Transportation Board; or
2. If the transportation district is located within an area that has an organized planning process created in conformance with the provisions of 23 U.S.C. § 134, utilize the technical committees created for such planning process.
D. The commission, on behalf of the counties and cities within the transportation district, but only upon their direction, is authorized to enter into the written agreements specified in 23 U.S.C. § 134 to assure conformance with the requirements of that law for continuous, comprehensive transportation planning.