As Congress begins to dabble with authorization of a new transportation bill, the question arises: what programs provide federal transportation bike and pedestrian dollars? After all, this is the money that park systems have come to recognize most within this realm of federal funding. Adam Voiland at the DC Transportation Examiner takes a look:
A number of Federal Highway Administration programs divert money toward bicycle and pedestrian projects. The Surface Transportation Program, which provides flexible funding for a variety of different projects, is the largest of them. The Transportation Enhancements Program provides funding for improvements in bike facilities, safety and education programs, and the preservation of abandoned rail trails. Areas with poor air quality can get money for bicycle projects through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program. The Recreational Trails Program, though smaller, also funds bicycle-related projects. Finally, members of Congress can earmark money for specific programs.
Between 1992-2004, most projects—73 percent—were funded through the Transportation Enhancements Program. Eight percent where funded through the Surface Transportation program, 7 percent through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, 4 percent through the Recreational Trails Program, and 7 percent through various other programs.
There’s also the non-motorized transportation pilot program, which as the name indicates is an experimental program in a few cities that may be expanded in the future.
Filed under: funding, transportation Tagged: | federal policy
