How MAP-21, The 2012 Federal Transportation Bill, Will Affect Pedestrian and Biking Projects

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A Federal bill (H.R.4348), entitled the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act” (MAP-21), signed by president Obama in July of 2012, has changed the way funds for bike and pedestrian walkways are distributed by states across the nation. The law combines funds from the Transportation Enhancements program and the Safe Routes to School program into one new fund called Transportation Alternatives (TA). While some may worry that this policy will have a negative impact on the creation of walkways and bike lanes, others are finding new ways to maximize opportunities for alternative forms of transportation.

New Funding Mechanism for Safe Routes to School

This blog post from DC.Streetsblog.org explains some of the changes in funding brought on by MAP-21 and how states have adapted.

According to the blog, states will allocate 50% of the TA funds to local Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and Transportation Management Areas (TMA). The remaining 50% will be available for the state to spend on transportation projects at their own discretion. With the enactment of this new policy pedestrian and bike ways projects will have to compete with highway and road construction projects.

How Texas Will Use Transportation Alternative Funds

In Texas, half of the state’s TA funds will go directly into the eleven MPOs which is good news for the state, according to a blog post from BikeTexas.

Resources

To view the text of MAP-21 click here.

See what the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration has to say about MAP-21.

View this slideshow to learn more about the Transportation Alternatives Program or listen to the full webinar organized by the USDOT Federal Highway Administration.