The document provides an overview and updates on changes to US federal transportation policy under MAP-21. Key points include clarification on the mandatory sidepath law, increases to Transportation Alternatives and CMAQ funding, the reinstatement of the ban on new SOV lanes using CMAQ funds, and next steps for advocates to provide input and ensure bicycle and pedestrian projects are included in implementation at the state and local level.

1. U.S. Federal Transportation
Policy Briefing
APBP / Alliance for Biking & Walking webinar
Thursday, July 19, 2012

2. Agenda
1. Clarifications & corrections from two
weeks ago
2. Review of Transportation Alternatives
(covered in last webinar)
3. Other changes to MAP-21
4. Next Steps

3. Changes and Corrections

4. Mandatory Sidepath Law
• Applies:
– On federal lands
– 30 mph or over
– Sidepath within 100 yards (not 100 feet)
• Secretary can override “if the road has a Bicycle level
of service B or better”
– Gives states and advocates an “out”
• For more information: League of American Bicyclists &
Adventure Cycling Association

5. Additional
Changes & Corrections
• Transportation Alternatives funding approx.$800
million
• CMAQ ban on SOV lane miles is back in place
– States CANNOT use CMAQ to build single-occupancy
vehicle lane miles
– Earlier confusion due to drafting error
• Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse not
eliminated
– Administrative, not created by law, so was not zeroed out

6. Follow up on questions
from last time
• Local match for Transportation Alternatives
– Overall 20% local match requirement remains
– For SRTS projects – 100% federal funding still possible
• Of potentially available funding, what may qualify for
educational, encouragement, and/or enforcement programs?
– SRTS
– Safe Routes for non-drivers (unclear)
– New CMAQ eligibility
• Status of the Federal Land Highways program and Sarbanes
TRIP?
– Eligibility for bike/ped remains
– Sarbanes TRIP (Transit in the Parks) eliminated
– Overall funding for federal lands transportation is reduced
– Opportunity: National Federal Lands Facility Inventory

7. Review of Transportation Alternatives

9. Transportation Alternatives
• For more information…
– Latest analysis posted on americabikes.org
– Our analysis of new bike/ped
policy:bit.ly/BikeWalkMAP21
– Rails to Trails Conservancy’s maps of MPOs by
population in each state: bit.ly/MPOsByPop

10. Other changes to MAP-21

11. Surface Transportation
Program (STP)
• Higher funding, more competition on non sub-
allocated funds
• Sub-allocation to metropolitan areas
– Same dollar amount as before
– Smaller percentage
– Important source of funding

12. Congestion Mitigation
& Air Quality (CMAQ)
• Ban on Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) lanes
IS in place (technical correction)
• Particulate Matter 2.5 (diesel)
• New Eligibilities
– Turn lanes
– Project or program that shifts traffic demand to nonpeak
hours or other transportation modes or otherwise reduces
demand for roads during peak times
(eg, carsharing, telecommuting, etc.)

13. Congestion Mitigation
& Air Quality (CMAQ)
• Transferability
– States can now transfer up to 50% of CMAQ to
other programs
– Increase from ~ 21% in SAFETEA LU
• States can obligate funds for non-attainment
areas without regard for type of air quality

14. Congestion Mitigation
& Air Quality (CMAQ)
• Evaluation and Assessment
– DOT with EPA shall evaluate projects based on
cost-effectiveness per:
• Congestion mitigation
• Air quality improvement
• Outcome Assessment
– DOT and EPA Assess and Document
• Emissions reductions
• Air quality and Human Health impacts

15. Highway Safety Improvement
Program (HSIP)
• HSIP funding increases under MAP-21
• In writing plans, states must consult with:
– State nonmotorized representative
– May include representatives from stakeholder
groups

16. Highway Safety Improvement
Program (HSIP)
• New data and research requirements for
states
– Improvement in gathering nonmotorized crash
data
– States shall consider motor vehicle crashes that
include fatalities or serious injuries to pedestrians
and bicyclists
– Crash frequency and crash rate data
– Identify roadway elements and features that
constitute hazard...[and/or] safe conditions

17. Federal Lands Program
• Consolidated programs; cuts funding overall
• Eliminated the Transit in the Parks program
(AKA- Sarbanes TRIP Program)
• Mandatory Sidepath Law
• Bicycling and walking still eligible
• National Federal Lands Facility Inventory
– Important to ensure bike/ped projects get on this
TIP

18. Next Steps

19. Next Steps
• US DOT to provide guidance on the new law
– America Bikes is providing input
• Contact us at http://www.americabikes.org/tip
• caron@americabikes.org
– USDOT is creating a portal for input
• State DOTs need to set up grant
programs/processes
• Ensure a robust and grant application process
at the State and MPO level

20. What America Bikes and
Partners are doing
• Guidance
• Recommendations moving forward
– Will provide materials and tool kits for state and local
advocacy organizations
– Coordinate with National organizations moving forward
• Transportation Alternatives
• TIGER
• Advocacy Advance
– Election toolkit
– Surveying MPO grant programs
– Highlighting best practices (CMAQ, HSIP, etc)

21. What you can do
• Tell your state: obligate existing
funds!
–Continue to push in planning process
(TIP)
• Urge DOT/Governor to not opt out
– Don’t opt out of Rec Trails Program
– Don’t opt out of Transportation
Alternatives

22. What you can do
• Publicize your success
– Show me events
– Success stories (quantitative data)
– Document the need
– Media on local support and local success