**SERVING RURAL AMERICA**

***RURAL PROGRAM GUIDE***

***U.S. DEPARTMENT OF***

***TRANSPORTATION***

**February 1999**

**MESSAGE by**

**U.S. Department of Transportation**

**Secretary Rodney E. Slater**

President Clinton is committed to rebuilding America by providing a
record, balanced investment in transportation that meets our vital
national interests and enhances the quality of life of all Americans.
The Department of Transportation is committed to ensuring that Americans
in the rural areas and smaller communities of the Nation share those
benefits. My recently announced *Rural Initiative* is directed toward
providing people in rural areas the opportunity to lead safer, healthier
and more fulfilling lives.

This brochure on transportation programs that serve rural America is one
element of my *Rural Initiative.* It provides information on Federal
transportation programs designed to improve safety, provide mobility
through improvements to our transportation infrastructure, and
strengthen proven strategies to safeguard public health and the
environment in our rural communities and towns.

I look forward to working with our partners in state and local
government and the private sector to make our joint vision for people in
rural communities a reality.

Rodney E. Slater

**SERVING RURAL AMERICA**

**U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION**

**PROGRAM GUIDE**

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

**INTRODUCTION**\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
1

**ENHANCING TRANSPORTATION DECISION MAKING**\...\...\...\...\... 3

**PROMOTING AND IMPROVING
SAFETY**\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 6

**Safe
Communities**\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
7

Safe Communities
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
7

The Safe Communities Memorandum of
Understanding\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 7

The Safe Communities Service
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
8

**Surface Transportation Safety Grant
Programs**\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 8

State and Community Highway Safety
Grants\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 8

Intoxicated Driver Prevention
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
9

Alcohol-impaired Driving Countermeasures Incentive
Grants\...\...\...\...\..... 9

Safety Incentive Grants for Use of Seat
Belts\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 10

Occupant Protection Incentive
Grants\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
10

State Highway Safety Data Improvement Incentive
Grants\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 10

Highway Infrastructure
Safety\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
11

Intelligent Transportation
Systems\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
12

Motor Carrier Safety Assistance
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
12

**Pipelines**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
13

One-call
Notification\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
13

**Boating**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
13

.

Recreational Boating
Safety\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
13

**PROVIDING MOBILITY AND REBUILDING AMERICA\'S INFRASTRUCTURE**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
14

**The Status of our Rural Transportation Infrastructure**
\...\...\...\... 14

**Aviation
Programs**\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
14

Airport
Planning\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
14

Airport Improvement
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
15

Essential Air
Service\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
15

**Surface Transportation Planning, Training, and Technical Assistance**
16

Statewide
Planning\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
16

> Local Technical Assistance Program

and Tribal Technical Assistance
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 16

Rural Transit Assistance
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
17

**Surface Transportation Construction Programs**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 18

The National Highway
System\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
18

The Interstate Maintenance
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
18

The Surface Transportation
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
19

Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation \-- Off System
Bridges\...\...\...\...\... 19

Federal Lands
Highways\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
20

Emergency
Relief\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
20

**Rail Programs**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
21

Rail Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing \-- Loan

and Loan Guarantee
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
21

Light Density Rail Line Pilot
Projects\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
21

**Transit
Programs**\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
22

Financial Assistance for Other than Urbanized
Areas\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 22

> Grants and Loans for Special Needs of Elderly Individuals.

and those with
Disabilities\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
22 Rural Transportation Accessibility Incentive
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 23

Transit Capital Investment Grants and Loans Program
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 23

Transit
Benefits\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
23

**Special Purpose
Programs**\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
24

Access to
Jobs\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
24

On-the-Job Training Supportive
Services\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
24

Appalachian Development Highway
System\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 24

Ferry Boats and
Terminals\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
25

National Historic Covered Bridge
Preservation\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 25

The National Corridor Planning and Development
Program\...\...\...\...\...\..... 26

The Coordinated Border Infrastructure
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 26

**Maritime
Programs**\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
27

Vessel Construction and Shipyard Modernization Loan Guarantees.. 27

Vessel Construction Reserve
Fund\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
27

**ENHANCING OUR COMMUNITIES AND PROTECTING OUR
ENVIRONMENT**\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
29

**The Rural
Environment.**\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
29

**Community and** **Environmental
Programs**\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
29

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 29 Transportation
Enhancements\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
30

Bicycle Transportation and Pedestrian
Walkways\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 30

Recreational Trails
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
31

National Scenic Byways
Program\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
31

Transportation and Community and System

Preservation
Pilot\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
32

**APPENDIX**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
33

**ADDITIONAL SOURCES FOR INFORMATION ABOUT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS**\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 43

**INTRODUCTION**

The primary objective of Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater's
*Rural Transportation Initiative* is to help ensure that rural areas and
small communities share in the mobility as well as the economic and
social benefits that the U.S. Department of Transportation programs
provide. These transportation programs also offer safety improvements
and environmental protections important to the health and well being of
their residents.

Effective communication with the residents, businesses, and governments
of rural areas and small communities is essential to the success of the
*Rural Transportation Initiative*. This publication provides information
to the citizens and officials of rural areas and small communities about
Department of Transportation programs that are targeted to or have
special interest for rural America.

As a starting point in this undertaking, the Department developed the
following Statement of Policy on Rural Transportation:

> The U.S. Department of Transportation Strategic Plan sets out the
> Department of Transportation as the visionary and vigilant leader of
> transportation excellence for the 21st Century, committed to serving
> the United States by fostering a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and
> convenient transportation system that meets our vital national
> interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people,
> today and into the future. To fulfill this commitment for the rural
> areas and small communities of the Nation, the Department will work to
> ensure that all Americans in these areas share in the planning and
> decision making for and in the benefits flowing from a transportation
> system that:
>
> o improves safety to reduce the human and material costs that are
> unintended consequences of the operation of the transportation system
> in rural areas;
>
> o allows residents of rural areas and small communities access to the
> destinations and goods to attain their desired quality of life;
>
> o provides the transportation service that will afford small
> communities and rural areas the opportunity to reach their economic
> growth and trade potential;
>
> o enhances the social strength and cohesiveness of small communities
> and protects the natural environment of rural areas; and
>
> o maintains the national security and border integrity necessary for
> the well-being of all Americans.

The *Rural Transportation Initiative* is intended to be a first step \--
a beginning from which a transportation system better positioned to
serve small communities and rural areas can evolve. It also is
critically important that rural areas be involved in the transportation
planning process by which transportation investment decisions of public
funds are made.

Among the key challenges in rural areas are: improving safety even as
travel continues to increase, preserving and enhancing the environment,
supporting economic growth and responding to social and demographic
changes.

> **Safety:** Although we have made great progress in highway safety,
> even as travel has increased dramatically, highway deaths and injuries
> continue to overwhelm all other transportation-related deaths and
> injuries. These place a huge burden on our economy \-- an estimated
> \$150 billion annually \-- and have high personal and social costs, as
> well. The greater isolation and distances in rural areas present
> special problems from a safety perspective. Certain types of crashes
> \-- rail-highway grade crossing, run-off-the-road, and others \-- are
> more prevalent in rural areas. Often crashes go unreported and the
> distance to medical services can be longer than in metropolitan areas,
> thereby lengthening the response time that can be so critical in
> treating crash victims.
>
> **Travel:** Not only does travel in rural areas continue to increase
> at an unprecedented rate, but meeting the demand in rural areas
> creates some difficult challenges. The distances involved and the
> lower population density create difficult conditions, particularly in
> providing non-auto alternatives for the growing numbers in rural areas
> who cannot or choose not to use private autos. The growing importance
> of tourism in rural areas demands transportation solutions that
> preserve and protect the scenic, cultural, historic and natural
> environment.
>
> **Environment:** Major national legislation has been enacted to
> protect our air and water as well as the cultural, historic, scenic
> and natural resources so important to our quality of life.
> Transportation activity has important impacts on the environment -
> from air and water quality to land use. Rural areas are particularly
> concerned with protecting the natural environment from which its
> residents draw a large share of their desired quality of life. Another
> environmental consideration of particular importance to rural areas
> and small communities is controlling the land uses on which
> transportation can have such a major influence. It is essential that
> we continue to account for the costs of transportation decisions that
> affect these non-renewable resources and provide assistance, where
> possible, to mitigate adverse effects on our rural communities and
> their environment.
>
> **Economic Activity:** The economic vitality of our Nation \-- to
> continue our high standard of living and compete effectively in
> international markets \-- requires efficient transport of passengers
> and freight throughout the Nation. Many rural areas are engaged in a
> long-term process of undergoing a change from an agricultural-based
> economy to one rooted in manufacturing, service, or tourism.
> Responding to this fundamental economic change and allowing these
> communities to compete on an equal footing for this business creates a
> need for new and different transportation services.
>
> **Demographic changes**: Recent data indicate that the population
> growth of many rural areas is more vibrant than had been thought.
> Moreover, older Americans reside in and are relocating to rural areas
> and small communities in larger proportion than in urban areas. These
> trends underscore the need for a spectrum of transportation choices to
> meet daily and local travel needs and to provide access to and egress
> from these areas for longer journeys.

This brochure, *Serving Rural America*, provides information about the
U.S. Department of Transportation\'s grant programs that are of the most
direct interest to rural areas and small communities. It also includes a
brief discussion of programs that serve transportation concerns that
span both rural and urban areas. The Appendix includes additional
references and specific program contacts.

**ENHANCING TRANSPORTATION DECISION MAKING**

*The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century* (TEA-21) provides
more money for transportation in rural areas than ever before. But the
only sure way to influence how this money is spent is by involvement in
the transportation planning process. To date, transportation planning
for rural areas has been uneven at best \-- effective in some areas, but
relatively neglected in others. The Department of Transportation is
committed to improving transportation planning for all areas because the
benefits of comprehensive planning are clear. Officials must have sound
information on which to base investment decisions, especially given the
complexity of transportation issues, including the associated
environmental and community concerns.

Transportation problems in rural areas vary greatly from state to state
and within states. Rural areas that are in decline economically, but are
interested in economic development, are seeking ways to preserve and
improve their transportation system \-- air service, rail service,
transit service and their highway system. Areas that are experiencing
growth are concerned about meeting the growing demand for transportation
while alleviating congestion and addressing growth management and
environmental issues. In all cases, there is widespread recognition
among rural residents, businesses, and community leaders that effective
transportation is vital to attaining social, economic, and environmental
objectives.

The range of transportation responsibilities also differs from state to
state. Typically states have direct responsibility for 10 to 20 percent
of the roads in their state and for rural transit systems. However, this
varies widely. State responsibility for other transportation services
varies considerably as well. States might own and operate airports or be
involved in planning them. Railroads and pipelines are generally private
although a few state programs aid branch/short line railroads. Some
states support commuter rail programs; others are responsible only for
highways, transit and aviation.

**The Federally-mandated Transportation Planning Process**

The transportation planning process can best be described as the
"gateway" for accessing Federal-aid highway and transit funding. It
enhances the quality and scope of the information on which elected
officials and policy makers can base their decisions regarding
transportation investments and helps ensure better, more informed
decision making.

Current law recognizes that rural officials are the decision makers
closest to rural transportation problems. Their involvement in the
transportation planning process is paramount for a collaborative and
coordinated resolution of rural transportation issues and problems. *The
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991* (ISTEA)
required, for the first time, the establishment of a statewide
transportation planning process. It also required that Federally-funded
transportation projects be planned and approved through that process.
The recently enacted *Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century*
(TEA-21) continues the requirement for a statewide transportation
planning process. It also places even greater emphasis on the
involvement of rural local officials in the statewide planning process,
including involvement in the selection of projects. States now are
required to document their process for involving local officials.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) rely on the statewide transportation planning
process as the primary mechanism for cooperative decision making. This
means that local officials and those who anticipate using Federal
transportation funds must be involved in the planning process.

**The State has the major role in statewide transportation planning**

Within these broad requirements, each state has developed its own
process for transportation planning and for making transportation
decisions. In some states, the legislature is involved in approving
capital investment programs; others have independent entities
(commissions, boards, authorities, etc.) that are responsible for
transportation decisions. In all cases, elected officials at the local,
regional, or state level need good information on which to base their
decisions, and the planning process should provide this while
recognizing the differing requirements of each state.

Those directly engaged in the transportation planning process at the
state level are required to produce two major products \-- the
transportation plan and the statewide transportation improvement program
(STIP):

> 1 The transportation plan is a long range (at least 20 years),
> multi-modal future vision for the mobility of goods and people. The
> plan considers
>
> factors that may affect or be affected by local and regional
> transportation investments.
>
> 2\. The transportation improvement program is a short term (usually 3
> years) list of projects to be financed in part with Federal funds. The
> program is financially constrained, which means that it cannot include
> projects that exceed the anticipated funding available to a state.

TEA-21 consolidated the sixteen planning factors enumerated under ISTEA
into the following seven broad areas:

> \-- Support the economic vitality of the United States, the states,
> and metropolitan areas, especially by enabling global competitiveness,
> productivity, and efficiency;
>
> \-- Increase the safety and security of the transportation system for
> motorized and non-motorized users;
>
> \-- Increase the accessibility and mobility options available to
> people and for freight;
>
> \-- Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation,
> and improve quality of life;
>
> \-- Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation
> system, across and between modes throughout the state, for people and
> freight;
>
> \-- Promote efficient system management and operation; and
>
> \-- Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system.

Since the passage of ISTEA in 1991, states have become more involved in
comprehensive transportation planning, including the development of
multi-modal transportation plans. As a result, many states are now
engaged in activities, such as rural freight issues, for which they
previously had little or no responsibility. Because the statewide
planning process is continuing to evolve, many states are looking at
ways to "re-engineer" their transportation planning and programming
processes. They are determining what decisions should be made at the
state level and what should be decided at the regional level - for rural
as well as metropolitan areas.

**Rural transportation planning differs by area and circumstance**

A variety of existing planning techniques have the potential for being
useful in rural transportation planning. However, their effectiveness
will depend to a great degree on the local circumstances within which
they are applied. Rural transportation planning is relatively new, not
only to those traditionally involved in transportation planning \--
State DOTs, MPOs, transit operators, etc., but also to those not
traditionally involved in transportation planning \-- rural local
governments and planning organizations, Indian tribal governments, the
Bureau of Indian Affairs, and others.

Some areas have formal rural regional planning organizations, while in
others, transportation planning is done by the state or by individual
local governments, often in coordination with the state. Engagement of a
variety of rural interests is essential to addressing all rural
transportation issues. For example, resolving agricultural related
transportation issues requires input from the agricultural
transportation community. Involving economic development agencies and
other established planning entities in planning and investment decisions
also can enhance rural transportation planning.

*Transportation planning can be the means for resolving rural
transportation and economic planning and development related issues and
improving our Nation's position in the global economy. It is the
\"gateway\" to shaping the investment decisions for most of the program
funds described in this brochure. Local officials need to be involved in
the transportation planning process if they are to have any influence
over the use of Federal transportation funding. To initiate that
involvement, local officials should contact their State Department of
Transportation, Transportation Agency, the Federal Highway
Administration Division Office or the Federal Transit Administration
Regional Office.*

**PROMOTING AND IMPROVING SAFETY**

**The importance of transportation safety in rural areas:** Promoting
and improving safety is our highest priority. We will continue to have a
strong focus on highway safety, in particular, because about 94 percent
of all transportation-related fatalities and injuries involve highway
motor vehicle crashes. Rural America has a significant highway safety
problem. Close to 80 percent of the Nation\'s roadway miles are in rural
areas; over 58 percent of the total fatalities occur in rural areas and
the fatality rate for rural areas (per 100 million vehicles miles of
travel) is more than twice that of urban areas. Crashes in rural areas
are more likely to result in fatalities due to a combination of factors
including extreme terrain, faster speeds, more alcohol involvement, and
the longer time intervals from the advent of a crash to medical
treatment due to delays in locating crash victims and the distance to
medical treatment centers.

Among the priority safety areas for the Department of Transportation are
reducing single-vehicle run-off-road fatal crashes \-- two-thirds of
which occur in rural areas. Many of these fatal crashes take place on
two-lane rural roads and involve vehicles striking fixed objects, or
going down an embankment or into a ditch. Speeding is another factor in
many run-off-the road rural crashes.

Additionally, priority programs to increase seat belt use and reduce
alcohol-impaired driving nationwide will have a major influence on
reducing highway fatalities and injuries in rural areas. For example,
the Presidential Initiative to Increase Seat Belt Use nationwide has set
a goal of 85 percent usage by the year 2000 and 90 percent by the year
2005. A national usage rate of 90 percent, among front seat occupants of
all passenger vehicles, would result in the prevention of an estimated
additional 5,500 deaths and 130,000 serious injuries annually.

The Department also will focus on safety of bicycling and walking
because these are prevalent methods of transportation in some rural
areas. They constitute a safety problem \-- 35 percent of the
bicyclists' fatalities were in rural areas and although fewer
pedestrians are injured in rural areas than in urban areas, they are
more likely to result in fatalities largely because of the time it takes
to get to a hospital.

Continued reductions in the aviation accident rate, during a period of
rapid growth in air travel, remain a primary task of the Department.
Efforts to reduce highway-railway grade crossing crashes also are
continuing.

**SAFE COMMUNITIES**

**Safe Communities Program**

The U.S. Department of Transportation has made a clear commitment to the
philosophy that communities are in the best position to affect
transportation-related safety problems. The Safe Communities program
approach represents a new way for communities to establish and manage
safety programs. Four characteristics define the Safe Communities
approach: data analysis and linkage (where possible), citizen input and
involvement in setting priorities, integrated and comprehensive injury
control system and expanded partnerships. Since its inception in 1996 to
the present, more than 450 Safe Communities have been established \--
virtually every state in the union is participating in the program. The
Department\'s goal is to have 600 Safe Communities by 1999 and 1,000 by
the year 2000.

**The Safe Communities Memorandum of Understanding**

Nine agencies within the U.S. Department of Transportation \-- the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Highway
Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit
Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, United States Coast
Guard, Research and Special Projects Administration, Maritime
Administration and Bureau of Transportation Statistics \-- have banded
together to promote the development of Regional Intermodal Safe
Communities programs and implement a safer national transportation
system by combining the best injury prevention practices into Safe
Communities to serve as model programs throughout the Nation.

**The Safe Communities Services**

(Web site: http.//www.nhtsa.dot.gov/safecommunities)

> (e-mail: Safe.Communities@nhtsa.dot.gov)

(phone: (817) 978-3653)

The U.S. Department of Transportation Service Center was opened in
August 1997, and has responded to thousands of requests for information,
special assistance and materials related to Safe Communities. The
bi-monthly Building Safe Communities Newsletter and the Service Center
bulletin and the Center\'s Web site keep transportation safety and
injury control advocates across the country updated on all the latest
developments needed to build Safe Communities.

**SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY GRANT PROGRAMS**

Our highway safety programs focus on three key areas: driver behavior,
road design, and vehicle standards. There are no safety programs devoted
specifically to rural areas; instead, all the Department\'s safety grant
programs are available for safety problems nationwide. The following is
a discussion of the major surface transportation safety grant programs.

**State and Community Highway Safety Grants**

(Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/n_402.htm)

> *Purpose*: The purpose is to support a broad range of state highway
> safety programs designed to reduce traffic crashes, fatalities, and
> injuries.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include behavioral and highway
> safety projects to reduce deaths and injuries caused by exceeding
> posted speed limits; encourage proper use of occupant protection
> devises; reduce alcohol and drug-impaired driving; reduce crashes
> between motorcycles and other vehicles; reduce school bus crashes;
> improve police traffic services; improve emergency medical services
> and trauma care systems; increase pedestrian and bicyclist safety;
> improve traffic record systems; and improve roadway safety. Grant
> allocations are determined on the basis of a statutory formula; at
> least 40 percent must be used to address local traffic safety
> problems. Beginning in FY 1998, the apportionment to the Bureau of
> Indian Affairs increased from one-half of one percent to no less than
> three-quarters of one percent. The Federal share is 80 percent. To be
> eligible, a state must submit a Performance Plan establishing goals
> and performance measures to improve highway safety, and a Highway
> Safety Plan describing activities to achieve those goals.
>
> *Contacts:* State Governors' Highway Safety Representatives.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$932.5 million for FYs 1998 - 2003. This
> program merges *The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency
> Act\'s* separate Federal Highway Administration 402 and National
> Highway Traffic Safety Administration 402 authorizations into one
> authorization for roadway and behavioral safety projects.

**Intoxicated Driver Prevention Program**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/n_163.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose of this incentive program is to prevent
> operation of motor vehicles by those who are intoxicated by rewarding
> states that enact and enforce a law providing that any person with a
> blood alcohol concentration of
>
> 0.08 percent or greater, while operating a motor vehicle in the state,
>
> shall be deemed to have committed a *per se* offense of driving while
>
> intoxicated.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include any project eligible
> for assistance under Title 23. The Federal share is 100 percent.
>
> *Contacts:* State Governors' Highway Safety Representatives.
>
> *Funding:* A total of \$500 million for incentive grants is available
> for FYs 1998 - 2003. Grants are based on the amount a state receives
> under the Section 402 Highway Safety Program.

**Alcohol-impaired Driving Countermeasures Incentive Grants**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/n_410.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to encourage states to adopt and implement
> programs to reduce traffic safety problems resulting from individuals
> driving while under the influence of alcohol.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects are those that implement and
> enforce impaired driving countermeasure programs. The Federal share is
> up to 75 percent in the first and second years in which a state
> receives a grant, 50 percent in the third and fourth years, and 25
> percent in the fifth and sixth years. Applicants are those states that
> adopt and implement specific laws and programs to reduce impaired
> driving as specified by law.
>
> *Contacts:* State Governors' Highway Safety Representatives.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$219.5 million for FYs 1998 - 2003.

**Safety Incentive Grants for Use of Seat Belts**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/n_157.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to reduce motor vehicle deaths and injuries
> and their related medical costs through incentives to states to
> increase seat belt use.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include any project eligible
> for assistance under Title 23. The Federal share is determined by the
> requirements of the program for which the funds are used.
>
> *Contacts:* State Governors' Highway Safety Representatives.
>
> *Funding:* Funding of \$500 million is authorized for FYs 1999 - 2003
> and is available for use by states that meet certain rates of seat
> belt use.

**Occupant Protection Incentive Grants**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/n_405.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to encourage states to adopt and implement
> effective programs to reduce highway deaths and injuries resulting
> from individuals riding unrestrained or improperly restrained in motor
> vehicles.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects are those that implement and
> enforce occupant protection programs. The Federal share is up to 75
> percent in the first and second years in which a state receives a
> grant, 50 percent in the third and fourth years and 25 percent in the
> fifth and sixth years.
>
> *Contacts:* State Governors' Highway Safety Representatives.
>
> *Funding:* Funding of \$68 million is authorized for FYs 1999-2003 for
> states that adopt and implement specific occupant protection laws and
> programs as specified by law.

**State Highway Safety Data Improvement Incentive Grants**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/n_411.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to improve state highway safety data that is
> needed to identify safety priorities and evaluate the effectiveness of
> improvements, to link state data systems, and to improve compatibility
> of data systems.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include those that implement
> data improvement programs. The Federal share is up to 75 percent in
> the first and second years in which a state receives a grant, 50
> percent in the third and fourth years and 25 percent in the fifth and
> sixth years. States must meet specified criteria.
>
> *Contacts:* State Governors' Highway Safety Representatives.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$32 million for FYs 1999 - 2002.

**Highway Infrastructure Safety**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/isfty.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to fund activities for safety improvement
> projects to correct hazardous locations and to eliminate hazards at
> rail-highway grade crossings.
>
> *Eligible projects: Program elements include the following:*

[The Surface Transportation Program Set Aside:]{.underline}

> It includes the [Hazard Elimination Program]{.underline} that provides
> funds to resolve safety problems at hazardous locations and sections,
> and for roadway elements that may constitute a danger to motorists,
> pedestrians, and bicyclists, and the [Railway/Highways Crossing
> Program]{.underline} which is designed to fund safety improvements to
> reduce the number of fatalities, injuries, and crashes at public grade
> crossings. Under TEA-21, project eligibility was broadened to include
> off-roadway and bicycle safety improvements and the Hazard Elimination
> Program was opened to Interstates, any public transportation facility,
> and any public bicycle or pedestrian pathway or trail.
>
> [Operation Lifesaver:]{.underline}
>
> Operation Lifesaver is a public information and education program
> designed to eliminate collisions, deaths and injuries at public and
> private grade crossings and on railroad rights-of-way.
>
> [Railway-Highway Crossing Hazard Elimination in High-Speed Rail
> Corridors:]{.underline}
>
> This is a grade crossing safety program for certain elements of
> specified high-speed rail corridors. Funds will be spent on
> improvements in five existing corridors and six new corridors (three
> specified in TEA-21 and three to be selected by the Secretary in
> accordance with criteria).
>
> *Funding:* Funding for the *STP Safety Set Aside* is a 10 percent set
> aside for safety from the Surface Transportation Program which totals
> approximately
>
> \$3.7 billion for FYs 1998 - 2003. Funding for *Operation Lifesaver*
> is \$500,000 per year from the STP set aside. Funding for the
> *Railway-Highway Crossing Hazard Elimination in Highway-Speed Rail
> Corridors* is \$5.25 million per year from the STP set aside and an
> additional \$15 million per year is authorized to be appropriated from
> General Funds.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.

**Intelligent Transportation Systems**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/its.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
> is to encourage the application of advanced sensor, computer,
> electronics, and communications technologies and management strategies
> in an integrated manner to increase the safety and efficiency of the
> surface transportation system. The ITS Integration Program funds
> grants to states and local jurisdictions for the deployment of
> integrated ITS systems.
>
> *Eligible Activities:* A broad range of ITS activities may be funded
> through the regular surface transportation programs. The focus of ITS
> for rural areas is primarily on reducing the number of single vehicle
> crashes on rural roads, improved emergency response to crashes,
> traveler information for tourists and other rural travelers, and
> improved access to transit services for rural residents. Activities in
> the rural ITS program include a significant research program, a series
> of field operational tests, various outreach activities, and a
> deployment incentive grant program.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding for ITS research and development is \$603 million
> for
>
> FYs 1998 - 2003 and for ITS deployment incentives, the total is \$679
> million. In addition to funds authorized specifically for ITS, both
> NHS and STP funds may be used for infrastructure-based ITS capital
> improvements and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement
> funds may be used to improve traffic flow that contributes to air
> quality improvements. Transit funds may also be used for ITS.

**Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP)**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/mcs.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to improve motor carrier safety.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include strategic safety
> investments to improve motor carrier safety, with an emphasis on
> program flexibility and innovative approaches to tailor solutions to
> particular motor carrier safety problems.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$579 million for FYs 1999 - 2003.

**PIPELINES**

**One-call Notification**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/onecall.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to reduce unintentional damage to
> underground facilities, along with the attendant risks to the public
> and to the environment, during excavation. It encourages states to
> establish or improve one-call notification systems. Such notification
> systems receive notification from excavators of their intent to
> excavate in a certain area and notify underground facility operators
> so that they may mark their lines to prevent damage.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include establishment or
> improvement of one-call notification systems. Eligibility depends upon
> appropriate participation by all underground facility operators and
> excavators, and flexible and effective enforcement under state law.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Authorizations are provided, subject to appropriation, for
> grants totaling \$1 million in FY 2000 and \$5 million in FY 2001.

**BOATING**

**Recreational Boating Safety**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/rbs.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to assist the states and U.S. Territories
> with programs to protect recreational boaters.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include facilities, equipment,
> and supplies for boating safety education and law enforcement,
> training personnel in skills related to boating safety and
> enforcement, providing public boating safety education, acquiring,
> constructing or repairing public access sites used primarily by
> recreational boaters, conducting boating safety inspections,
> establishing and maintaining emergency or search and rescue
> facilities, and establishing and maintaining waterway markers. There
> are a number of state eligibility requirements, such as the
> requirement to have a vessel numbering system.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* The Recreational Boating Safety program is an appropriated
> budget authority program subject to annual appropriations.

**PROVIDING MOBILITY AND REBUILDING AMERICA\'S INFRASTRUCTURE**

**The Status of our Rural Transportation Infrastructure:** The ability
to make clear distinctions between rural infrastructure and that which
serves the Nation generally is limited by an absence of data unique to
rural settings and rural transportation services. Nonetheless, based on
the data that are available and partial evidence, some observations can
be made. Compared to like urban roadways, rural roads and highways are
in relatively good condition overall. This should not obscure, however,
that about one-third of rural interstates and other rural arterials are
in poor or mediocre condition. Similarly, fewer rural bridges overall
are deficient than is the case for the Nation as a whole, but upwards of
one-fifth of all rural bridges are deficient. Progress has been made in
improving highway and bridge conditions under ISTEA and should continue
under TEA-21, and rural areas will continue to benefit. However,
critical problems can arise in specific circumstances and locations, and
the ability to deal with them needs to be in place.

There is no unequivocal data to identify rural transit or railroad
infrastructure. With respect to transit, slightly fewer small buses and
vans -- which more often typify rural transit vehicles -- are overage on
average than is true for larger transit vehicles. However, the problem
with respect to rural transit is more often level of service than
vehicle condition. There is little comprehensive condition data for
railroads serving rural areas; however, there is information suggesting
growing track maintenance and condition problems with the short-line and
low density railroads, which are usually associated with rural areas and
small communities.

Like transit, rural aviation is largely a service, rather than
infrastructure, concern since airport capacity is not often a limitation
in smaller communities. As important freight movers, both pipelines and
inland waterways provide essential service in rural areas, particularly
in the case of waterways which are frequently used to transport
agricultural exports. In both instances, the maintenance of the
infrastructure is most often the key issue.

**AVIATION PROGRAMS**

**Aviation Planning**

Airport planning may be done on an areawide or individual airport basis,
with input from local officials. Areawide planning includes preparation
of airport system plans for states, regions and metropolitan areas.
These plans identify the aviation facilities needed to meet current and
future air transportation needs. Grants for airport system planning are
made to planning agencies having areawide jurisdiction over the area
being studied. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) uses this
information in preparing the National Plan of Integrated Airport
Systems.

**Airport Improvement Program**

> *Purpose*: The purpose is to promote the development of a system of
> airports to meet the Nation\'s air needs.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include airport system and
> master plans; construction, expansion or rehabilitation of runways,
> taxiways, and aprons; items necessary for safety or security;
> navigational aids; on-airport roadways; limited terminal development;
> land acquisition, and noise control. These funds may be used for noise
> compatibility planning and other projects to mitigate adverse noise
> and environmental impacts, including projects for small commercial and
> General Aviation airports.
>
> Applicants include owners/operators of public-use airports included in
> the National Plan of Integrated Airports Systems (3,344 airports of
> which 2,472 are general aviation airports). A public-use airport is an
> airport open to the public and publicly owned, or privately owned but
> designated by FAA as a reliever, or privately owned but having
> scheduled service and at least 2,500 annual enplanements.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding totals \$1.7 billion for FY 1998. For rural areas,
> in addition to providing funds for commercial service airports, a
> portion of the discretionary program is set aside for general
> aviation. For FY 1998, that amounts to approximately \$200 million.

**Essential Air Service**

> (Web site: http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/aviation/)
>
> *Purpose*: The Department guarantees scheduled passenger air service
> at many small communities throughout the United States.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include subsidies to air
> carriers where necessary to ensure that such service is provided.
> Eligible communities are specified by law. Currently, the Department
> subsidizes scheduled air service in approximately 100 communities,
> including 26 in Alaska, that would otherwise receive no scheduled air
> service.
>
> *Contacts:* U.S. DOT, Office of Aviation Analysis, (202) 366-1053.
>
> *Funding:* Congress provided \$50 million for the essential air
> service (EAS) program in fiscal year 1999 and each succeeding year and
> removed the program's previous sunset date of September 30, 1998.

**SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE**

**Statewide Planning**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/statepln.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The statewide planning process establishes a *cooperative,
> continuous, and comprehensive* framework for making surface
> transportation investment decisions throughout the state and is
> administered jointly by the Federal Highway Administration and the
> Federal Transit Administration.
>
> *Eligible Activities:* Eligible projects include statewide surface
> transportation planning projects.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies
>
> *Funding:* A two percent takedown of state apportionments for the
> Interstate Maintenance, National Highway System (NHS), Surface
> Transportation Program (STP), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
> Improvement, and Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Programs
> provides funding for statewide planning. This takedown averages
> \$481.5 million per year for FYs 1998 - 2003, for a total of \$2,888.8
> million. Of the amounts set aside by the takedown, 25 percent must be
> used for research, development, and technology transfer activities.
> Statewide planning also is an eligible activity for additional funding
> under the NHS and STP programs.
>
> Additional funding for statewide planning is authorized from the Mass
> Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund. The amount from the Mass
> Transit Account is guaranteed. FTA state transportation planning
> funding authorizations, however, may vary annually depending upon the
> amount of the non‑guaranteed funds, authorized to be appropriated from
> the General Fund, that Congress actually appropriates.
>
> Guaranteed transit funding for statewide planning averages \$10.5
> million per year, for a total of \$62.9 million from FYs 1998 - 2003.
> If Congress appropriates all the transit authorizations for statewide
> surface transportation planning, the average would rise to \$15.4
> million per year for the 6-year period.

**Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)** **and Tribal Technical
Assistance Program (TTAP)**

> *Purpose:* As the primary transportation information resource for
> local and tribal governments, the Local Technical Assistance Program
> (LTAP) provides access to technical assistance, training, and
> information on new transportation technologies. Technology transfer
> activities are made available through a variety of projects including
> services provided by its network of 57 LTAP centers. Centers are
> located in each state and Puerto Rico; and six Tribal Technical
> Assistance Program centers (TTAP) serve the needs of tribal
> governments. The LTAP assists local and tribal governments in
> developing well-trained and motivated staffs, resulting in an improved
> transportation network that helps sustain rural economies.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Each LTAP or TTAP Center director has the
> flexibility to tailor the program for local needs. Responsibilities
> include conducting training, delivering technical assistance, and
> publishing newsletters. The centers publish quarterly newsletters and
> maintain comprehensive mailing lists of rural, local, and tribal
> officials with transportation responsibilities. Centers adapt a mix of
> technology transfer and marketing tools to meet their localities'
> unique circumstances.
>
> *Contacts:* LTAP centers located in each state and Puerto Rico and the
> TTAPs.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$51 million for FYs 1998 - 2003. Support for
> the centers also comes from State Departments of Transportation, the
> Bureau of Indian Affairs, universities, local agencies, and funds
> designated by state legislation.

**Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP)**

> *Purpose*: The purpose is to provide resources for training, technical
> assistance, research, and related support services to support rural
> transit providers.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include activities that support
> rural transit providers with training and technical assistance,
> research, and related support services. Each state gets an annual
> allocation of funds for RTAP that can be used for projects such as
> newsletters, training courses, scholarships for training, and circuit
> riders. In addition, RTAP funds are used for a national project that
> supports the state RTAP managers, maintains a rural transit database,
> produces training modules, and provides a rural transit resource
> center. There is no local share requirement.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$30.75 million for FYs 1998 - 2003. Funds are
> allocated to each state by formula, but the minimum amount for a state
> is \$65,000.

**SURFACE TRANSPORTATION CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS**

> (Web Site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/index.htm)

*The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century* (TEA-21)
substantially increased investment in core programs that are available
for rural and urban areas through states and metropolitan planning
organizations:

**The** **National Highway System (NHS)**

> *Purpose:* The National Highway System (NHS) is composed of 163,000
> miles of rural and urban roads that are to serve major population
> centers. The 46,000 mile Interstate System retains its separate
> identify within the NHS. The NHS program provides funding for
> improvements to rural and urban roads that are part of the NHS,
> including the Interstate System and designated connections to major
> intermodal terminals.
>
> *Eligible Projects:* In addition to NHS roads, including the
> Interstate, eligible projects were expanded by TEA-21 to include
> natural habitat mitigation, publicly-owned intracity and intercity bus
> terminals, and infrastructure-based intelligent transportation system
> capital improvements.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* It is funded at \$28.6 billion for FYs 1998 - 2003. Funds
> are distributed based on a formula that includes each state\'s
> lane-miles of principal arterials (excluding the Interstate),
> vehicle-miles traveled on those arterials, diesel fuel used on the
> state\'s highways and per capita principal arterial lane-miles.

**The** **Interstate Maintenance Program**

> *Purpose:* The Interstate Maintenance Program provides funding for
> resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing (4R) most
> routes on the Interstate System.
>
> *Eligible Projects:* TEA-21 expanded eligible projects to include
> reconstruction.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* It is funded at \$23.8 billion for FYs 1998 - 2003. Funds
> are distributed based on each state\'s lane-miles of Interstate routes
> open to traffic, vehicle-miles traveled on those Interstate routes,
> and contributions to the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund
> attributable to commercial vehicles.

**The** **Surface Transportation Program (STP)**

> *Purpose:* The Surface Transportation Program (STP) provides flexible
> funding that may be used by states and localities on projects on any
> Federal-aid highway, including the NHS, bridge projects on any public
> road, transit capital projects, and public bus terminals, and
> facilities.
>
> *Eligible Projects:* TEA-21 expanded and clarified eligible projects
> to include several environmental provisions, modification of sidewalks
> to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act, infrastructure-based
> intelligent transportation systems capital improvements, and privately
> owned intercity bus terminals and facilities. Of the amount available
> to the states, the state is required to use a certain amount (based on
> FY 1991 Federal-aid Secondary program funding) in areas with a
> population of less than 5,000. This amount is about \$590 million per
> year. *A new provision, enacted in TEA-21, allows up to 15 percent of
> this amount to be spent on roads functionally classified as rural
> minor collectors.*
>
> Ten percent of the funds distributed to the states is set aside for
> safety construction activities (discussed under the safety programs)
> and another
>
> 10 percent is set aside for transportation enhancements (discussed
> under the community and environmental programs).
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* The STP is funded at \$33.3 billion over the six-year
> period. Funds are distributed among the states based on each state\'s
> lane-miles of Federal-aid highways, total vehicle-miles traveled on
> those Federal-aid highways, and estimated contributions to the Highway
> Account of the HTF.

**Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation \-- Off System Bridges**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/bridge.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to replace or rehabilitate deficient highway
> bridges and to seismic retrofit bridges located on any public road.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include bridges on public
> roads. At least
>
> 15 percent, but not more than 35 percent, of a state\'s apportionment
> must be used for public bridge projects that are not on Federal-aid
> roads (off-system bridges).
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$20.4 billion for FYs 1998 - 2003. The 15
> percent set aside requirement translates into about \$470 million
> annually for off-system bridges for FYs 1999 - 2003, but the
> requirement can be waived if it is determined that this expenditure is
> not needed. The set aside for high-cost bridges is retained, but the
> set asides for timber bridges and Indian Reservation Road bridges have
> been eliminated.

**Federal Lands Highways**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/fedland.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to provide funding for more than 80,000
> miles of federally-owned and public-authority owned roads and transit
> facilities that serve Federal lands. They include the following
> categories: Indian Reservation Roads, Park Roads and Parkways, Public
> Lands Highways (discretionary and Forest Highways), and (Wildlife)
> Refuge Roads.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include:
>
> • Planning, research, engineering, construction, and reconstruction of
> public roads or highways;

• Transit facilities;

> • Any Title 23 transportation project providing access to or within
> Federal or Indian lands;
>
> • Transportation planning for tourism and recreational travel that
> benefits recreational development;
>
> • Adjacent vehicular parking, interpretative signage, acquisitions of
> necessary scenic easements and scenic or historic sites, construction
> and reconstruction of roadside rest areas, and other appropriate
> public road facilities such as visitor centers;
>
> • State/Local match for Interstate Maintenance, National Highway
> System, Surface Transportation Program, Congestion Mitigation and Air
> Quality Improvement funded projects; and
>
> • Construction of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation
> facilities in conjunction with Federal Lands projects as determined by
> the appropriate Federal Land Management agency and/or Indian tribal
> government.
>
> Funds can be used to pay 100 percent of the eligible costs.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$4,066 million for FYs 1998 - 2003.

**Emergency Relief**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/er.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to assist state and local governments with
> the cost of repairing serious damage to Federal-aid highways and roads
> on Federal Lands caused by natural disasters or catastrophic failures
> from an external cause.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include only emergency repairs
> to restore essential highway traffic, to minimize damage or to protect
> the remaining facility and make permanent repairs.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$100 million annually for FYs 1998 - 2003.

**RAIL PROGRAMS**

**Rail Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing \-- Loan and Loan
Guarantee Program**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/r-rrehab.htm)

http://www.fra.dot.gov/doc/rdv/rrif981112.htm)

> *Purpose*: The railroad rehabilitation and improvement financing
> program provides credit assistance, through direct loans and loan
> guarantees, to public or private sponsors of intermodal and rail
> projects for railroad capital improvements.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include acquisition,
> development, improvement or rehabilitation of intermodal or rail
> equipment or facilities including track, bridges, yards, buildings and
> shops. Eligible applicants for assistance include state or local
> governments, government sponsored authorities and corporations,
> shippers, railroads, and joint ventures including at least one
> railroad.
>
> *Contacts:* U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Railroad
> Development, (202) 493-6379.
>
> *Funding:* No direct Federal funding is authorized, but the Secretary
> is authorized to accept a cash payment from a non-Federal source to
> cover the estimated long-term costs to the Government of a loan or
> loan guarantee. The cost payment is called a credit risk premium. The
> aggregate unpaid principal amounts of obligations for direct loans and
> loan guarantees cannot exceed
>
> \$3.5 billion at any one time, of which not less than \$1 billion
> shall be available solely for other than Class 1 carriers.

**Light Density Rail Line Pilot Projects**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/r-ltdens.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to fund light density rail line pilot
> projects.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include capital improvements
> and rehabilitation of publicly and privately owned rail line
> structures. Funds may not be used for operating assistance. Eligible
> applicants are states that have state rail plans.
>
> *Contacts:* U.\`S. Department of Transportation, Office of Railroad
> Development, (202) 493-6379.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is a total of \$105 million for FYs 1998 - 2003,
> and this amount must be appropriated from the General Fund.

**TRANSIT PROGRAMS**

**Financial Assistance for Other than Urbanized Areas**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/nonurbfg.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to provide transit in non-urbanized areas.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include transit capital,
> operating, and project administration expenses and state
> administration, for rural transit. Service must be available to the
> general public. Intercity bus service in rural areas also is eligible.
> Coordination with human service transportation is encouraged. The
> Federal share generally is 80 percent for capital and 50 percent for
> operating assistance. Contract revenue from human service agencies may
> be used for the local match.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is a total of \$1.18 billion for FYs 1998 - 2003.

**Grants and Loans for Special Needs of Elderly Individuals and those
with Disabilities**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/elderfg.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to help provide transit capital assistance,
> through states, to organizations that provide specialized
> transportation service for elderly individuals and those with
> disabilities.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include transit capital
> assistance to private nonprofit agencies, and public bodies under
> certain circumstances, for transportation service for the elderly and
> individuals with disabilities. In addition to the purchase or lease of
> vehicles and related equipment, capital projects also may include
> preventive maintenance and purchase of transportation service. The
> Federal Share is generally 80 percent.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is a total of \$456 million for FYs 1998 - 2003.

**Rural Transportation Accessibility Incentive Program**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/rtaccess.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to help over-the-road bus operators finance
> the incremental capital and training costs of complying with the
> Department\'s final rule on accessibility of over-the-road buses.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include the incremental costs
> of ADA accessibility for operators of over-the-road buses in intercity
> fixed-route service and other service such as local fixed route,
> commuter, charter and tour service. There is a competitive grant
> selection process.
>
> *Contacts:* Federal Transit Administration Regional Offices.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$24.3 million for FYs 1999 - 2003.

**Transit Capital Investment Grants and Loans Program (Bus and Bus
Related)**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/trcap.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to provide capital support for transit
> infrastructure.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include bus and bus-related
> projects, such as vehicles and maintenance facilities. The Federal
> share is 80 percent for all projects except those needed to comply
> with the Clean Air Act Amendments and the Americans with Disabilities
> Act, which are funded at 90 percent.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies and local public bodies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$3.55 billion for FYs 1998 - 2003. Of this, at
> least
>
> 5.5 percent (\$195 million) must be spent for projects in other than
> urbanized areas. Historically, the percentage allocated to
> non-urbanized areas has been much higher than 5.5 percent.

**Transit Benefits**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/trbenefi.htm)
>
> The Internal Revenue Code is modified to make transit and vanpool
> benefits more comparable with employee parking benefits by increasing
> the limit on non-taxable transit and vanpool benefits from \$65 to
> \$100 per month beginning after December 31, 2001. In addition,
> transit and vanpool benefits may be offered in lieu of compensation
> payable to an employee beginning in 1998.

**SPECIAL PURPOSE PROGRAMS**

**Access to Jobs**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/jobaccs.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to (1) develop transportation services
> designed to transport welfare recipients and low-income individuals to
> and from jobs, and
>
> \(2\) to develop transportation services for residents of urban
> centers and rural and suburban areas to suburban employment
> opportunities.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Emphasis is placed on projects that use mass
> transportation services. Twenty percent is to be used in non-urbanized
> areas. The Federal share is 50 percent, but other Federal
> transportation-eligible funds may be used for the local match. The
> program provides competitive grants to local governments and
> non-profit organizations to develop transportation services to connect
> welfare recipients and low-income persons to employment and support
> services.
>
> *Contacts:* Local governments.
>
> *Funding:* Funded at \$400 million for FYs 1999 - 2003. An additional
>
> \$350 million from the General Fund must be appropriated before it can
> be made available.

**On- the-Job Training Supportive Services**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/ojtss.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to provide job opportunities through
> training, particularly for minorities and women.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include such services as
> pre-employment counseling and basic skills improvement. States have
> the opportunity to reserve slots for welfare recipients.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is a set aside of not more than one-half of one
> percent of a state\'s Surface Transportation Program and Bridge
> Program funding.

**Appalachian Development Highway System**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/appal.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to build the congressionally-authorized
> 3,025-mile Appalachian Development Highway System \-- a four-lane
> highway. Close to
>
> 80 percent is complete or under construction, but much of the
> remaining
>
> 649 miles will be among the most expensive to build. The completion of
> the System remains a top priority for the Appalachian Regional
> Commission.
>
> *Eligible projects*: Eligible projects include projects on Appalachian
> Development Highway System. The Federal share is 80 percent.
>
> *Contacts:* The 13 eligible states.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$450 million per year beginning in FY 1999, for
> a total of \$2,250 million for FYs 1999 - 2003. Funds are apportioned
> among the
>
> 13 states based on the latest cost to complete estimate for the
> Appalachian Development Highway System.

**Ferry Boats and Terminals**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/ferry.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is provide support for ferry boats and ferry
> terminal facilities that are publicly-owned, publicly-operated, or
> majority publicly-owned and provide substantial public benefit.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include construction of ferry
> boats and ferry terminal facilities. The Federal share is 80 percent.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is a total of \$220 million for FYs 1998 - 2003,
> but \$20 million per year is set aside for NHS ferry facilities. Ferry
> service that meets the definition of mass transit continues to be
> eligible for funding under various FTA programs, including Formula
> Grants for Other than Urbanized Areas.

**National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/hiscovbr.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to preserve and rehabilitate historic
> covered bridges.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include rehabilitation or
> repair of historic covered bridges (those that are listed or eligible
> for listing on the National Register of Historic Places) and
> preservation of historic covered bridges, including installation of
> fire protection systems or systems to prevent vandalism and arson.
> Relocation of a bridge to a preservation site also is eligible. The
> Federal share is 80 percent.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$10 million per year for a total of \$50
> million from the General Fund for FYs 1999 - 2003. Funds must be
> appropriated before they are available.

**The National Corridor Planning and Development Program**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/border.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose of the National Corridor Planning and
> Development Program is coordinated planning, design, and construction
> of corridors of national significance, economic growth, and
> international or interregional trade.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include the 21 corridors
> identified in ISTEA, the 8 added in the 1995 National Highway
> Designation Act, and the 14 added by TEA-21, as well as other
> corridors based upon specified selection criteria. It can be used for:
>
> \(1\) planning, coordination, design and location studies;
>
> \(2\) environmental review and construction (after review of a
> corridor development and management plan); and
>
> \(3\) a corridor management plan.
>
> The Federal share for projects is 80 percent (sliding scale applies).
> Corridor planning should be coordinated with transportation planning
> agencies of state, metropolitan, and Federal land management, tribal
> government, and Mexican and Canadian agencies, as appropriate.
>
> *Contacts:* States transportation agencies and metropolitan planning
> organizations.
>
> *Funding:* Funding for corridors and borders (described below) is
> combined. The level is \$140 million for FYs 1999 - 2003, for a total
> of \$700 million.

**The Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/border.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose of the Coordinated Border Infrastructure
> Program is to improve the safe movement of people and goods at or
> across the border between the United States and Canada and the border
> between the United States and Mexico.
>
> *Eligible projects:* The Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program is
> limited to the borders. The Federal share for projects is 80 percent
> (sliding scale applies).
>
> *Contacts:* Border states and MPOs**.**
>
> *Funding:* Funding for corridors (described above) and borders is
> combined. The level is \$140 million for FYs 1999 - 2003, for a total
> of \$700 million.

**MARITIME PROGRAMS**

> (Web site: http://marad.dot.gov)

**Vessel Construction and Shipyard Modernization Loan Guarantees**

> (Web site: http://marad.dot.gov/information/title_xi_info.htm1)
>
> *Purpose:* The primary purpose of the program is to promote the growth
> and modernization of the U.S. merchant marine (including the inland
> and domestic fleet) and U.S. Shipyards (i.e. shipyards located within
> the U.S.). The Program enables owners of eligible shipyards to obtain
> long-term financing with attractive terms.
>
> *Eligible Projects:* Vessels eligible for new construction loan
> guarantee assistance generally include commercial vessels such as:
> passenger, bulk, container, cargo, tankers, tugs, towboats, barges,
> dredges, oceanographic research, floating power barges, offshore oil
> rigs and support vessels, and floating dry-docks.
>
> Shipyard modernization generally includes projects involving proven
> technology, techniques and processes to enhance the productivity and
> quality of shipyards, novel techniques and processes designed to
> improve shipbuilding and related industrial production which advances
> the U.S. shipbuilding state-of-the-art.
>
> *Contacts:* U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime
> Administration, Director, Office of Ship Financing, 400 Seventh
> Street, SW, Room 8122, Washington, DC 20590 (202) 366-5744.
>
> *Funding:* At the close of FY 1998, vessel loan guarantees in force
> aggregated approximately \$2.9 billion covering approximately 731
> vessels and 95 individual shipowners. Funding for projects is subject
> to annual appropriations pursuant to the Federal Credit Reform Act.

**Vessel Construction Reserve Fund**

> *Purpose:* The Construction Reserve Fund (CRF) encourages upgrading of
> the American-flag fleet on our inland waterways and coastwise trades.
> The program allows eligible parties to defer taxation of capital gains
> on the sale or other disposition of a vessel if net proceeds are
> placed in a CRF and reinvested in a new vessel within 3 years.
>
> *Eligible Projects:* Vessel owners eligible for the CRF include all
> privately owned vessels mentioned under the loan guarantee program.
> Vessel operators building vessels for the U.S. foreign trade, Great
> Lakes non-contiguous offshore trade (e.g. between the West Coast and
> Hawaii) and the fisheries of the United States can use the similar
> Capitol Construction Fund (CCF) program instead of the CRF. Both
> programs are administered by the Maritime Administration.

*Contacts:* U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration,
Director, Office of Ship Financing, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Room 8122,
Washington, D.C. 20590 (202) 366-5744.

**ENHANCING OUR COMMUNITIES AND PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT**

**The Rural Environment:** Rural areas and small communities are facing
many environmental challenges similar to those faced by our cities \--
challenges that are the inevitable byproduct of growing travel demand,
increased sprawl and dispersed destinations. The challenge is to
maintain the vitality of these rural areas and small communities while
preserving and protecting the natural, historic, scenic, and cultural
environment, including productive rural working farmlands. Improvements
in air and water quality not only have positive environmental benefits,
but also recreational and economic benefits as well, particularly for
those areas largely dependent upon tourism.

The Department has a wide range of programs directed specifically toward
protecting and enhancing communities and the natural environment
affected by transportation. In addition, many of the other
transportation programs listed elsewhere in this brochure have
environmental components. These programs are significant in preserving
our quality of life and protecting the environment.

**COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS**

**Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/cmaq.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to fund projects for areas that do not meet
> the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (nonattainment areas) and
> former nonattainment areas that are now in compliance (maintenance
> areas) for ozone, carbon monoxide, and small particulate matter.
> Funding is to help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include those that will reduce
> transportation-related emissions, such as transit improvements, travel
> demand management strategies, traffic flow improvements, and public
> fleet conversions to cleaner fuels.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$8.122 billion for FYs 1998 - 2003. Funding is
> based on a formula that considers population by county and the
> severity of air quality problems. Also, there is a one-half of one
> percent minimum for each state.

**Transportation Enhancements**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/te.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to fund transportation-related activities
> designed to strengthen cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects
> of the Nation\'s transportation system.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects must be related to surface
> transportation and include a wide variety of projects that enhance
> transportation.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is from a 10 percent set aside from the Surface
> Transportation Program, or approximately \$3.7 billion (including
> equity adjustments) for
>
> FYs 1998 - 2003.

**Bicycle Transportation and Pedestrian Walkways**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/b-ped.htm )
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to promote the increased use and safety of
> bicycling and walking as transportation modes.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Bicycle and pedestrian projects may be on- or
> off-road facilities. For off-road trails, all such facilities should
> serve a transportation function; a trail serving a recreational
> purpose with no transportation function is a recreational trail
> (described below). Individuals and organizations interested in
> initiating a project should first gain support of local governments.
> The next step is to work with the State transportation agencies to
> determine eligibility, availability of funds, and priority. The
> projects must be included in the State Transportation Improvement
> Program (STIP).
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Funding sources for construction of bicycle transportation
> facilities, pedestrian walkways and non-construction projects related
> to safe bicycle use include the National Highway System (NHS), Surface
> Transportation Program (STP) Funds, Transportation Enhancement
> Activities (ten percent of each State's annual STP funds), Congestion
> Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program Funds, Hazard
> Elimination, Recreational Trails, Scenic Byways and Federal Lands
> Highway Funds.

**Recreational Trails Program**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/rec-trl.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: The purpose is to provide and maintain recreational trails
> and trail-related facilities for both motorized and non-motorized
> recreational trail uses.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include: maintenance and
> restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of
> trail­side and trail­head facilities and trail linkages, purchase and
> lease of trail con­struc­tion and main­ten­ance equipment, con­struction of
> new trails (with restrictions for new trails on Federal lands),
> acquisi­tion of easements or property for trails, state administrative
> costs related to this pro­gram (limited to seven percent of a state's
> funds), and operation of educational pro­grams to promote safe­ty and
> environmental protection related to trails (limited to five percent of
> a state's funds). Funds may not be used for property condemnation or
> constructing new trails for motorized use on National Forest Service
> or Bureau of Land Manage­ment lands unless the project is consistent
> with resource manage­ment plans or facilitating motorized access on
> otherwise non-motorized trails.
>
> The maximum Federal share from this program is 80 percent, but Federal
> agency project sponsors may provide additional Federal share (up to
>
> 95 percent), and other Federal programs may be used toward the
> non-Federal share. Soft match provisions are allowed. Of funds
> distributed to a state,
>
> 30 percent must be used for motorized use, 30 percent must be used for
> non-motorized use, and 40 percent for diverse trail uses. States may
> provide grants to private organizations, or to municipal, county,
> state, or Federal govern­ment agencies. Some states, by policy, do not
> pro­vide funds to private organizations. Projects on private land must
> provide written assurances of public access.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* A total of \$270 million is authorized for FYs 1998 - 2003.

**National Scenic Byways Program**

> (Web sites: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/scenic.htm, and

http://www.byways.org)

> *Purpose*: The purpose of The National Scenic Byway Program is to
> provide national recognition of roads that represent outstanding
> examples of scenic, historic, cultural, recreational, and natural
> qualities as well as to provide technical and financial assistance.
>
> *Eligible projects:* Eligible projects include technical assistance
> and grants for the purposes of developing scenic byway programs and
> undertaking related projects along roads designated as National Scenic
> Byways, All-American Roads, or State Scenic Byways. National Scenic
> Byways and All-American Roads are roads that have been designated
> under the National Scenic byways programs for their outstanding
> scenic, historic, cultural, natural, recreational, and archaeological
> qualities. State Scenic Byways can be designated in accordance with
> criteria developed by the state. Eligible projects include corridor
> management plans, safety improvements, and certain facilities along
> the scenic byways such as passing lanes and overlooks.
>
> The maximum Federal share of this program is 80 percent. A Federal
> land management agency may use funds authorized for use by the agency
> as the non-Federal share for any scenic byways project along a public
> road that provides access to or within Federal or Indian land.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies.
>
> *Funding:* Financial assistance is provided through reimbursable
> discretionary grants. Funding is \$148 million for FYs 1998 - 2003.

**Transportation and Community and System Preservation Pilot**

> (Web site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/t-c-sp.htm)
>
> *Purpose*: *The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century*
> established the Transportation and Community and System Preservation
> Pilot Program (TCSP) in response to the increasing interest in "smart
> growth" policies that encourage investments in maintenance of existing
> infrastructure over new construction, investment in high-growth
> corridors, and efficient access to jobs and services. The key purpose
> of this pilot program is to devise neighborhood, local, metropolitan,
> state, or regional strategies that improve the efficiency of the
> transportation system, minimize environmental impacts, and reduce the
> need for costly public infrastructure investments.
>
> *Eligible projects and activities:* Funds may be used for planning
> grants or implementation grants for any project currently eligible for
> funding under the highway or transit titles (Title 23 and Chapter 53
> of title 49 U.S.C.) or other activities determined by the Secretary to
> be appropriate to investigate and address the relationship between
> transportation and community and system preservation. Applicants may
> include states, metropolitan planning organizations, and units of
> local governments that are recognized by a state.
>
> *Contacts:* State Transportation Agencies and metropolitan planning
> organizations.
>
> *Funding:* Funding is \$20 million for FY 1999 and \$25 million per
> year for
>
> FYs 2000 through 2003.

**APPENDIX**

**PROGRAM CONTACTS**

**[STATE CONTACTS]{.underline}**

**ALABAMA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(334) 242-6312

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(334) 242-8672

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(334) 223-7370

**ALASKA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(907) 465-3900

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(907) 465-4374

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(907) 586-7180

**ARIZONA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(602) 255-7011

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(602) 255-3216

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(602) 379-3646

**ARKANSAS**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(501) 569-2000

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative................................(501) 569-2211

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office...........................(501) 324-5625

**CALIFORNIA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(916) 654-5266

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(916) 262-0990

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(916) 498-5014

**COLORADO**

State Transportation
Agency................................................\...(303) 757-9011

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(303) 757-9206

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(303) 969-6730

**CONNECTICUT**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(860) 594-3000

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative............................\...(860) 594-2370

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(860) 659-6703

**DELAWARE**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(302) 739-4303

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(302) 739-4321

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(302) 734-5323

**DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(202) 939-8000

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(202) 939-8000

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(202) 523-0163

**FLORIDA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(850) 414-5200

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(850) 922-5820

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(850) 942-9579

**GEORGIA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(404) 656-5200

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(404) 656-6996

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(404) 562-3630

**HAWAII**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(808) 587-2150

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(808) 587-2150

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(808) 541-2700

**IDAHO**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(208) 334-8000

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(208) 334-8807

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(208) 334-1690

**ILLINOIS**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(217) 782-2632

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(217) 782-4972

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(217) 492-4640

**INDIANA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(317) 232-5526

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(317) 232-2588

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(317) 226-7475

**IOWA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(515) 239-1101

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(515) 281-5104

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(515) 233-7300

**KANSAS**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(785) 296-3461

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(785) 296-3461

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(785) 267-7281

**KENTUCKY**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(502) 564-4890

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(502) 695-6300

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(502) 223-6720

**LOUISIANA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(225) 379-1100

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(225) 925-6991

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(225) 389-0244

**MAINE**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(207) 289-2551

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(207) 624-8756

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(207) 622-8487

**MARYLAND**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(410) 859-7311

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(410) 333-1111

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(410) 962-4440

**MASSACHUSETTS**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(617) 973-7000

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(617) 727-5073

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(617) 494-3657

**MICHIGAN**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(517) 373-2090

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(517) 336‑6477

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(517) 377-1844

**MINNESOTA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(612) 297-3000

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(612) 296-6642

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(612) 291-6100

**MISSISSIPPI**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(601) 359-7001

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(601) 359-7880

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(601) 965-4215

**MISSOURI**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(573) 751-2551

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(573) 751-5432

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(573) 636-7104

**MONTANA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(406) 444-6201

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(406) 444-3412

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(406) 449-5303

**NEBRASKA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(402) 471-4567

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(402) 471-3900

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(402) 437-5521

**NEVADA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(702) 888-7440

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(702) 687-5375

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(702) 687-1204

**NEW HAMPSHIRE**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(603) 271-3734

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(603) 271-2131

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(603) 225-1605

**NEW JERSEY**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(609) 530-3536

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(609) 633-9300

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(609) 637-4200

**NEW MEXICO**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(505) 827-5100

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(505) 827-5110

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(505) 820-2021

**NEW YORK**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(518) 457-4422

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(518) 474-0841

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(518) 431-4127

**NORTH CAROLINA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(919) 733-2520

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(919) 733-3083

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(919) 856-4346

**NORTH DAKOTA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(701) 328-2500

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(701) 328-2581

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(701) 250-4204

**OHIO**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(614) 466-2335

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(614) 466-3383

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(614) 280-6896

**OKLAHOMA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(405) 521-2631

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(405) 425-2000

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(405) 605-6011

**OREGON**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(503) 986-3200

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(503) 986-4190

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(503) 399-5749

**PENNSYLVANIA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(717) 787-5574

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(717) 787-6875

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(717) 221-3461

**PUERTO RICO**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(787) 723-1390

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(787) 725-7112

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(787) 766-5600

**RHODE ISLAND**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(401) 222-2481

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(401) 222-2481

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(401) 528-4541

**SOUTH CAROLINA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(803) 737-1130

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(803) 896-7839

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(803) 765-5411

**SOUTH DAKOTA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(605) 224-3265

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(605) 773-3178

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(605) 224-8033

**TENNESSEE**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(615) 741-3011

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(615) 741-2848

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(615) 736-5394

**TEXAS**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(512) 463-8585

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(512) 463-8616

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(512) 916-5511

**UTAH**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(801) 965-4113

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(801) 965-4461

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(801) 963-0182

**VERMONT**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(802) 828-2657

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(802) 244-1317

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(802) 828-4423

**VIRGINIA**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(804) 786-2702

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(804) 367-6602

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(804) 281-5100

**WASHINGTON**

State Transportation
Agency...................................................(360) 705-7000

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative...............................(360) 753-6197

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office..........................(360) 753-9480

**WEST VIRGINIA**

State Transportation
Agency.................................................(304) 558-0444

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative..............................(304) 558-2723

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office........................(304) 347-5928

**WISCONSIN**

State Transportation
Agency.................................................(608) 266-1113

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative.............................(608) 266-1113

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office........................(608) 829-7500

**WYOMING**

State Transportation
Agency.................................................(307)777-4484

Governor's Highway Safety
Representative..............................(307) 777-4450

Federal Highway Administration Division
Office........................(307) 772-2101

**[DOT REGIONAL CONTACTS]{.underline}**

**[Federal Aviation Administration Regional Offices]{.underline}
(Airports Division)**

New England (CN, ME, NH, RI,
VT)........................................(617) 238-7600

Eastern Region (DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV)........................(718)
553-3331

Southern Region (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, PR, SC, TN, VI).......(404)
305-6700

Great Lakes Region (IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, OH, SD,
WI).........\.......(847) 294-7272

Central Region (IA, KS, MO,
NE)...........................................(816) 426-4698

Southwest Region (AR, LA, NM, OK,
TX).................................(817) 222-5600

Northwest Mountain Region (AK, CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY)..(425)
227-2600

Western Pacific Region (AZ, CA, HA,
NV)................................(310) 725-3600

Alaska
(AK)........................................................................(907)
271-5438

**[Federal Railroad Administration Regional Offices]{.underline} (Grade
Crossing Management)**

Region 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI,
VT)............................(617) 494-2302

Region 2 (DE, MD, OH, PA, VA,
WV).................\............\.........(610) 521-8200

Region 3 (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC,
TN)............................(404) 562-3800

Region 4 (IL, IN, MI, MN,
WI)................................................(312) 353-6203

Region 5 (AR, LA, NM, OK,
TX)............................................(817) 284-8142

Region 6 (CO, IA, KS, MO,
NE)............................................(816) 426-2497

Region 7 (AZ, CA, HA, NV, UT)...........................................
(916) 498-6540

Region 8 (AK, ID, MT, ND, OR, SD, WA, WY)........................ (360)
696-7536

**[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Regional
Offices]{.underline}**

Region 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI,
VT)......................................(617) 494-3427

Region 2 (NJ, NY,
PR)........................................................(914)
682-6162

Region 3 (DE, DC, MD, PA, VA,
WV)..........................\...........(410) 962-0077

Region 4 (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC,
TN)...........................(404) 562-3739

Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH,
WI).........................................(708) 503-8892

Region 6 (Indian Nation, AR, LA, NM, OK,
TX)........................(817) 978-3653

Region 7 (IA, KS, MO,
NE)................................................\...(816) 822-7233

Region 8 (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,
WY).....................................(303) 969-6917

Region 9 (Amer Samoa, AZ, CA, Guam, HA, Marianas, NV).......(415)
744-3089

Region 10 (AK, ID, OR,
WA).................................................(206) 220-7640

**[Federal Transit Administration Regional Offices]{.underline}**

Region 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI,
VT).......................................(617) 494-2055

Region 2 (NJ,
NY)..............................................................(212)
264-8162

Region 3 (DE, DC, MD, PA, VA,
WV)...................................\...(215) 656-7100

Region 4 (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, PR, SC,
TN)....\...............\...(404) 562-3500

Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH,
WI).........................................(312) 353-2789

Region 6 (AR, LA, NM, OK,
TX)............................................(817) 978-0550

Region 7 (IA, KS, MO,
NE)................................................\...(816) 523-0204

Region 8 (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,
WY).....................................(303) 844-3242

Region 9 (AZ, CA, HA,
NV)................................................\...(415) 744-3133

Region 10 (AK, ID, OR,
WA)...............................................\...(206) 220-7954

**[Maritime Administration Regional Offices]{.underline}**

North Atlantic
Region........................................................\...(212)
264-1300

South Atlantic
Region........................................................\...(757)
441-6393

Great Lakes
Region................\...........................................\...(847)
298-4535

Central
Region.................................................................\...(504)
589-2000

Western
Region...............................\.................................\...(415)
744-3125

**DOT HEADQUARTERS CONTACTS**

**[Office of the Secretary]{.underline}**

Transportation
Policy..........................................................(202)
366-5407

**[Federal Aviation Administration]{.underline}**

Airport
Planning................................................................(202)
267-3451

Airport
Programs...............................................................(202)
267-9471

**[Federal Highway Administration]{.underline}**

Program inquiries should be directed to the appropriate Division Office
from the field contacts listed above.

**[Federal Railroad Administration]{.underline}**

Grade Crossing
Program.....................................................(202)
493-6288

Policy...............................................................................(202)
493-6400

Railroad
Development.........................................................(202)
493-6390

**[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]{.underline}**

Program inquiries should be directed to the appropriate Regional Office
from the field contacts listed above.

**[Federal Transit Administration]{.underline}**

Program inquiries should be directed to the appropriate Regional Office
from the field contacts listed above.

**[Maritime Administration]{.underline}**

Ports and Domestic
Shipping................................................(202) 366-4357

Ship and Shipyard
Financing................................................(202) 366-5744

Rural
Programs..................................................................(202)
366-0760

**ADDITIONAL SOURCES FOR INFORMATION ABOUT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS:**

U.S. Department of transportation:

(Web site: http:// www.dot.gov)

Safe Communities:

(Web site: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/safe communities**)**

Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21):

> (Web Site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/)