The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), established under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), represents a significant initiative in the United States to broaden the scope of transportation beyond traditional highway construction. This program serves as a consolidated funding source for a variety of transportation alternatives, many of which were previously supported by separate programs. Understanding the TAP is crucial for anyone involved in transportation planning, advocacy for sustainable transportation, or community development.
Funding and Structure of the TAP: How It Works
The TAP is financially backed through contract authority from the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund. This means its funding is directly linked to federal highway spending, emphasizing the integration of alternative transportation into the broader transportation framework. A key aspect of the TAP’s structure is the dedicated funding allocation.
Authorization and Funding Source
For fiscal years 2013 and 2014, the TAP was authorized significant funds: $809 million in 2013 and $820 million in 2014, demonstrating a substantial federal commitment to transportation alternatives. Annually, an amount equivalent to 2% of the total authorized funds from the Highway Account for federal-aid highways is specifically reserved for the TAP. This dedicated percentage ensures consistent financial support for these crucial projects.
State Allocation of TAP Funds
The national TAP funding is distributed among states based on a formula that reflects historical investment in transportation enhancements. Specifically, the allocation to each state is proportionate to its share of Transportation Enhancements funding in Fiscal Year 2009. This method ensures that states with a prior track record in supporting alternative transportation continue to receive appropriate levels of funding. Within each state, the TAP funds are strategically set aside from various core Federal-aid highway programs. These include the National Highway Performance Program (NHPP), Surface Transportation Program (STP), Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), and Metropolitan Planning apportionments. This integrated funding approach highlights the importance of transportation alternatives across different facets of transportation planning and development.
Suballocation of Funds Within States
To ensure equitable distribution and address local needs, 50% of a state’s TAP apportionment (after accounting for the Recreational Trails Program set-aside, if applicable) is suballocated to areas based on population. This suballocation mirrors the method used for STP funds, directing resources to areas with greater population density and, presumably, greater need for diverse transportation options. The remaining 50% of the state’s TAP funds are available for use throughout any area of the state, providing flexibility to address transportation needs in both urban and rural settings.
Transferability of TAP Funds
Recognizing the dynamic nature of transportation needs and priorities, the TAP allows for fund transfers. States have the option to transfer up to 50% of their TAP funds to other key highway programs like NHPP, STP, HSIP, CMAQ, and Metropolitan Planning. However, this flexibility is limited to the portion of TAP funds available for statewide use; suballocated TAP funds or funds set aside for the Recreational Trails Program cannot be transferred. This provision allows states to re-prioritize funds based on evolving needs while ensuring that a baseline level of support remains for transportation alternatives.
Eligible Activities Explained: What TAP Funds Can Support
The TAP is designed to fund a wide array of projects that fall under the umbrella of transportation alternatives. These eligible activities are broadly defined to encompass various modes and purposes, aiming to create a more balanced and sustainable transportation system.
Core Transportation Alternatives
A significant portion of TAP funding is directed towards projects that directly support non-motorized transportation and enhance community infrastructure. These core activities include:
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure: Funding is available for the construction, planning, and design of both on-road (like bike lanes and sidewalks) and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized transportation users. This investment aims to create safer and more appealing environments for walking and cycling.
- Safe Routes for Non-Drivers: TAP supports infrastructure projects and systems that create safe routes for individuals who do not drive, including children, older adults, and people with disabilities, to access essential daily services and needs. This is crucial for promoting inclusivity and accessibility in transportation.
- Rail-Trail Conversions: The program encourages the conversion and utilization of abandoned railroad corridors into trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized users. These rail-trails offer unique recreational and transportation opportunities while repurposing underutilized land.
- Scenic Enhancements: Construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas are eligible, enhancing the transportation experience and promoting tourism and appreciation of natural and scenic resources.
- Community Improvement Activities: TAP funds can be used for a range of community enhancements linked to transportation, including:
- Inventory, control, or removal of outdoor advertising to improve aesthetics and reduce visual clutter.
- Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities, recognizing the cultural and historical significance of transportation infrastructure.
- Vegetation management practices in transportation rights-of-way to enhance roadway safety, prevent the spread of invasive species, and provide erosion control.
- Archaeological activities related to the impacts of transportation projects, ensuring responsible environmental and cultural stewardship.
- Environmental Mitigation: TAP supports environmental initiatives directly related to transportation, including:
- Pollution prevention and abatement activities to minimize the environmental impact of transportation.
- Stormwater management, control, and water pollution prevention or abatement related to highway construction and runoff, addressing water quality concerns.
- Measures to reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality and to restore and maintain connectivity among terrestrial or aquatic habitats, promoting ecological balance.
Expanded Eligibility: Recreational Trails and Safe Routes to School
Beyond the core Transportation Alternatives, the TAP also encompasses projects and activities from previously established programs, broadening its impact and reach.
- Recreational Trails Program (RTP): The TAP integrates the Recreational Trails Program under 23 USC 206, ensuring continued support for recreational trail development and maintenance.
- Safe Routes to School (SRTS): Eligible activities from the Safe Routes to School program under SAFETEA–LU are also included, emphasizing the importance of safe walking and biking routes for children to schools.
- Boulevards and Roadways in Former Rights-of-Way: Planning, designing, or constructing boulevards and other roadways within the rights-of-way of former Interstate System routes or other divided highways is also eligible, potentially repurposing land for community-focused transportation infrastructure.
Workforce Development
Recognizing the need for skilled professionals in the transportation sector, TAP funds can also be used for workforce development, training, and education activities (§52004; 23 USC 504(e)). This investment in human capital strengthens the capacity to deliver and maintain transportation alternative projects.
Program Features for Project Selection and Implementation
The TAP is structured to ensure a competitive and transparent process for project selection, involving various levels of government and eligible entities.
State and MPO Roles in Project Selection
Typically, State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) administer TAP funds. However, the Recreational Trails Program component may be administered through a different state agency. A key requirement of the TAP is that funds must be obligated for eligible projects through a competitive process. This ensures that projects are selected based on merit and alignment with program goals. In urbanized areas with populations over 200,000, funds are suballocated to Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). These MPOs, in consultation with the state, are responsible for selecting projects through their own competitive processes, ensuring local priorities are considered. For smaller urban and rural areas, the state administers the suballocated funds and selects projects through a competitive process.
Eligible Project Sponsors
The range of entities eligible to receive TAP funds is broad, reflecting the diverse nature of transportation alternative projects and the stakeholders involved. Eligible entities include:
- Local governments
- Regional transportation authorities
- Transit agencies
- Natural resource or public land agencies
- School districts, local education agencies, or schools
- Tribal governments
- Other local or regional governmental entities with transportation or recreational trails oversight (excluding MPOs or State agencies, as determined eligible by the State).
While non-profit organizations are not directly eligible to receive TAP grants, they can partner with eligible entities on TAP projects, provided that state or local regulations permit such partnerships.
Project Treatment and Youth Conservation Corps
Projects funded under the TAP (excluding RTP set-aside projects) are treated as projects on a Federal-aid highway, aligning them with established federal transportation standards and procedures. The program also encourages partnerships with youth service or conservation corps. States and regional transportation planning agencies are encouraged to contract with these corps for appropriate projects, with certain exemptions from Federal-aid highway program contracting requirements to facilitate these collaborations.
Integration with Recreational Trails and Safe Routes to School
The TAP maintains a strong connection to both the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) initiatives, ensuring the continuation of these popular and impactful programs under a consolidated framework.
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) within TAP
MAP-21 mandates that each state set aside a portion of its TAP funds for recreational trails projects under 23 USC 206. The set-aside amount is equivalent to each state’s FY 2009 RTP apportionment, ensuring a consistent level of funding for trails. One percent of these set-aside funds are allocated for FHWA administration of the RTP. States have the option to opt out of this set-aside annually, but must notify the Secretary of Transportation in advance. If a state opts out, it cannot use TAP funds for RTP administrative costs for that fiscal year. For states that do not opt out, the RTP provisions and requirements remain largely unchanged under the TAP framework.
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) within TAP
The TAP also provides states the flexibility to continue supporting eligible Safe Routes to School program activities from SAFETEA-LU. While states are not required to maintain a dedicated State SRTS coordinator, they are permitted to use TAP funds to support this position if they choose to do so. This allows states to maintain focus on safe routes to school initiatives within the broader context of transportation alternatives.
In conclusion, the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) under MAP-21 is a comprehensive federal initiative designed to support a wide range of transportation alternatives. By consolidating funding and expanding eligibility, the TAP aims to create a more sustainable, equitable, and multi-modal transportation system across the United States. Its focus on non-motorized transportation, community enhancements, and environmental mitigation underscores its role in shaping the future of transportation and community development.
