Navigating MAP-21: Maximize Federal Funding for Bicycle & Pedestrian Projects

1. Navigating MAP-21: Maximize Federal Funding for Bicycle & Pedestrian Projects Transportation Alternatives Program Federal Funding Programs

2. Active on Twitter? Follow us at @AdvocacyAdvance and join the conversation at #NavMAP21

3. Navigating MAP-21 Campaign www.AdvocacyAdvance.org/MAP21

4. Who’s in the room?

5. Transportation Alternatives Program

6. Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Features Themes Consolidates programs Gives states more flexibility Streamlines project delivery Performance Measures • 2 year bill • October 1, 2012 - September 30, 2014 • Extends funding at current level over all programs

7. Program Consolidation Activities: • Transportation Enhancements (now Transportation Alternatives) • Safe Routes to School • Recreational Trails • Redevelopment of underused highways to boulevards

8. Reduction in Funding SAFETEA LU – FY 2011 TOTAL: $1.2 BILLION MAP-21 – FY 2014 TOTAL: $820 MILLION SRTS $202 M TE $928 MILLION TAP $820 M RTP $97

9. Reduction in Funding: Texas

10. Changes in Eligible Projects Adds Subtracts Funding for bicycle and pedestrian education Acquisition of scenic or historic sites Transportation museums Visitor Centers • Safe Routes for Non-Drivers (networks) • Broader Environmental Mitigation • Turn-outs, overlooks, & viewing areas

11. Distribution of Funds

12. Eligible Entities • Local/regional governments • Local/regional transportation agencies • Tribal governments • Public land agencies • Other local/regional entities state deems eligible State DOT

13. Opt-Outs and Transfers OTHER FEDERAL-AID TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS TAP But…States can also transfer INTO Transportation Alternatives

14. TAP Implementation in Texas: ??

15. What Does a Good Competitive Process Look Like? Advocacy Advance Report Priority Areas Transportation & Mobility Safety Intermodal connection Quality of life Equity Safe Routes to School “Transportation Alternatives Program Competitive Grant Processes: Examples of Regional Applications” http://Bit.ly/1gdOW6R

16. Federal Funding Programs

19. FY 2014 Authorizations

20. Do you have experience with a federally funded project?

21. Surface Transportation Program (STP) Program Features Eligibility Transportation Alternatives activities Construction & non-construction Rec Trails projects SRTS not listed as eligible, but similar projects fit under Safe Routes for non-drivers • Flexible funding • Higher funding, more competition • Sub-allocation to metropolitan areas • Same dollar amount as before • 80% Federal Share

22. STP Examples • Peoria, IL: Project Rating Criteria • Nashville, TN: Regional Transportation Plan • Atlanta, GA: Livable Centers Initiative

23. STP in Texas • TxDOT administers STP funds • 12 program categories • Sub-allocates STP-MM (Metropolitan Mobility and Rehabilitation) to MPOs Source: FHWA FMIS, 5-year averageNote: Some bike/ped spending does not get coded as such

24. Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) Program Features Eligibility Must be non-attainment area for eligibility Construction & non-construction • Emission-reductions • Typically 80% federal share • States can transfer up to 50% of CMAQ • Evaluation and assessments (health, cost-benefit)

25. CMAQ Examples Construction Non-Construction Bike education (Louisville, KY) Bike promotion (Wash DC) City employee bike fleet (Chicago, IL) Bike map (Milwaukee, WI) Bike plan (Birmingham, AL) • Capital Bikeshare (Washington, DC) • Millennium Park Cycling Center (Chicago, IL) • Bike racks (Sacramento, CA) • Bicycle parking for state employees (TDOT)

26. CMAQ in Texas • TxDOT sub-allocates CMAQ to MPOs • Non-attainment areas in TX: • Houston • Dallas-Forth Worth • El Paso • Beaumont-Port Arthur Source: FHWA FMIS, 5-year averageNote: Some bike/ped spending does not get coded as such

27. Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Program Features Eligibility Construction All public roads are eligible Bike lanes, roadway shoulders, crosswalks, signage, trail/road intersections Still includes bike/ped and school zone safety eligibilities • Safety infrastructure • Data driven • 90% Federal Share • Funding increased 88% • In writing plans, states must consult with: • State non-motorized representative • May include reps from safety stakeholder groups

28. HSIP Examples • Virginia: 10% set-aside • Florida: project prioritization process • California: SRTS and Strategic Highway Safety Plan

29. HSIP in Texas • Strategic Highway Safety Plan • TxDOT’s Traffic Operations Division solicits proposals from 25 TxDot Districts • Projects selected based on “greatest need” – data driven • No recorded funds for bike/ped Downtown Fort Worth bike lane, http://fortworthology.com

30. What safety data do you use?

31. Section 402 State & Community Highway Safety Grant Program Program Features Eligibility Bicycle and pedestrian safety programs are still eligible Adult programs also eligible • NHTSA & FHWA • Can be run by local advocacy groups • Reimbursement • Non-infrastructure

32. Section 402 Examples • Share the Road program (Atlanta) • BikeSchool (New Jersey) • Helmet distribution (Florida) • Training on ped/bike design guidelines • Bike Safety Month • Bike Walk Connecticut

33. Section 402 in Texas • State agencies submit project proposals at request of TxDOT’s Traffic Operations Division • Texas Transportation Commission approves projects • Bike Texas’ Bike Ed

34. Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) • Goal: improve transportation facilities that provide access to Federal lands…with an emphasis on high-use recreation sites and economic generators. • 3-person Programming Decisions Committee: FHWA; State DOT; “An appropriate political subdivision of the state”

35. FLAP Examples • Teton Pass Centennial Trail • Victor, ID: 1.9 mile pathway; $1.29M • Teton County, WY: 0.27 mile pathway + 6.2 mile planning; $1M • Missoula to Lolo Trail • $6M request • Lost, but won TIGER

36. FLAP in Texas Information What to do since the deadline has passed? Start getting ready for next year. Learn the program details, identify you top project that will be competitive. Start to build community support. Meet with the land manager and secure commitment to seek grant. Be a watchdog for the FLAP process in your state – be vigilant! • Contract authority: $2.96 Million • Proposals due: 7/15/13 • Contact: Central Federal Lands (15 States) Allen Grasmick, 720-963-3664 Allen.Grasmick@dot.gov • www.cflhd.gov/programs/flap/tx/index.cfm

37. How Can I Fund My Trail Project?

38. TIGER 6 Discretionary Grants • $600M in 2014 • Application deadline: April 28

39. TIGER Tips Recommendations Pitfalls Ineligible applicant or project Project not focused on TIGER priorities Project not focused on surface transportation Projects requests operating funds or Right of Way instead of capital costs Insufficient matching funds • Propose creative, multi-modal projects. • Propose strong, high-priority projects.  • Get the “ask” right.  • Make sure you and your project are eligible.  • Meet – and exceed -- the criteria.  • Local match gives a leg up, shows local support.  • Make your “ask” clear. 

40. Transit Funding “New Starts” Bus and Bus Facilities Formula Grant Program Lafayette, Louisiana Lafayette Consolidated Government Awarded $450,000 in 2012 (Bikeway Extension) Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth Transportation Authority Awarded $940,000 in 2012 (Bike Sharing Program) • Hartford, CT: • CTDOT • Multi-use trail • Portland, OR: • Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (Tri-Met) • Bicycle Lanes and Parking, Bike and Ride Facility, Multimodal Bridge

41. Advocacy Advance Resources

42. How do you get your local match?

43. First steps?

44. Strategies to Increase Funding • Why is your project a transportation priority? • What makes a good project proposal? • When do you need to act? • How do other policies and plans impact the funding process? • Who do you need to work with?

45. Advocacy-Agency Collaboration • Build or join a coalition of stakeholders • Gather photos and testimonials of successful projects • Get letters of support from local elected officials; gather data (e.g. economic benefits) • Meet with DOT, Governor’s staff (and follow up!) • Discuss program details and eligibility • Commit in writing, thank publicly • Host ribbon-cutting events; monitor projects and timeline • Advocacy toolkit and state leads: www.AdvocacyAdvance.org/MAP21

46. Advocacy Advance Resources • Webinars • April 1: TIGER 6 • April 15: Multimodal Ballot Measures • Navigating MAP-21 Workshops • August 1: Rio Grande Valley, TX • August 4: Austin, TX • Rapid Response Grants • Technical Assistance • Research & Reports

47. Darren Flusche, League of American Bicyclists Darren@bikeleague.org Brighid O’Keane, Alliance for Biking & Walking Brighid@PeoplePoweredMovement.org