To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a grant program to assist the development of aerotropolis transportation systems, and for other purposes.

Summary: Leading and Expediting Aerotropolis Development Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish an aerotropolis grant program to assist in the development of aerotropolis transportation systems (i.e., planned and coordinated multimodal freight and passenger transportation networks that provide efficient, sustainable, and intermodal connectivity to a defined region of economic significance centered around a major airport). Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities to assist in planning, design, environmental review, or land acquisition activities for one or more specified kinds of projects to benefit such systems.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Leading and Expediting Aerotropolis 
Development Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. AEROTROPOLIS GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish 
and carry out an aerotropolis grant program (in this section referred 
to as the ``program'') to assist the development of aerotropolis 
transportation systems in accordance with this section.
    (b) Grant Authority.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary is 
authorized to make a grant to an eligible entity to assist planning, 
design, environmental review, or land acquisition activities for any of 
the following to benefit an aerotropolis transportation system:
            (1) A project for the development or improvement of a 
        highway or bridge.
            (2) A project for the development or improvement of a 
        public transportation system.
            (3) A project to expand the capacity of or otherwise 
        improve freight or passenger rail transportation.
            (4) A project for the development or improvement of a port.
            (5) A project that improves access to a port or terminal 
        facility.
            (6) A project for the development or improvement of a 
        multimodal terminal facility.
            (7) A project for the development or improvement of an 
        intelligent transportation system that--
                    (A) is primarily for the benefit of freight 
                movement; and
                    (B) reduces congestion or improves safety.
    (c) Availability of Grant Funding.--Grant funding awarded to a 
grant recipient under the program shall remain available to be 
obligated by the recipient during the fiscal year in which the grant 
funding is disbursed and the three fiscal years following that fiscal 
year. Grant funding not obligated by a grant recipient during the 
period provided under this subsection shall be returned to the 
Secretary and made available for making other grants under the program.
    (d) Application Process.--In carrying out the program, the 
Secretary shall establish a process for eligible entities to apply for 
grants, which shall include the submission to the Secretary of an 
application containing the following:
            (1) A description of the aerotropolis transportation system 
        to be assisted with the grant, including--
                    (A) the geographic scope of the system; and
                    (B) the components that comprise the system.
            (2) A description of the projects to be assisted with the 
        grant.
            (3) With respect to each of the projects described under 
        paragraph (2), a description of--
                    (A) the status of the project;
                    (B) how the project will develop the applicable 
                aerotropolis transportation system;
                    (C) the jobs to be created by the project;
                    (D) the costs and benefits of the project; and
                    (E) the plans and timeline for moving the project 
                to completion.
    (e) Grant Selection.--
            (1) Considerations.--In making grants under the program, 
        the Secretary shall consider, with respect to a proposed 
        project, whether the project facilitates any of the following:
                    (A) Improvement of the mobility of goods or 
                passengers.
                    (B) Enhancement of intermodal connectivity with 
                respect to freight or passenger transportation.
                    (C) Improvement of the condition of freight or 
                passenger transportation infrastructure, including 
                bringing such infrastructure into a state of good 
                repair.
                    (D) Reductions in congestion.
                    (E) Improvement of safety, including through 
                reductions in transportation accidents, injuries, and 
                fatalities.
                    (F) Incorporation of new and innovative 
                technologies into the transportation system, including 
                intelligent transportation systems.
                    (G) Enhancement of national or regional economic 
                development, growth, and competitiveness.
                    (H) Non-Federal contributions to the project, 
                including contributions from public-private 
                partnerships.
                    (I) Reductions in dependence on foreign oil.
                    (J) Reductions in air or water pollution.
            (2) Priorities.--In making grants under the program, the 
        Secretary shall give priority to applicants that demonstrate 
        any of the following:
                    (A) A strategic plan for the development of an 
                aerotropolis transportation system and funding directed 
                to that development.
                    (B) Existing infrastructure and services sufficient 
                for the development of an aerotropolis transportation 
                system.
                    (C) A capacity for using grant funds to efficiently 
                and effectively develop an aerotropolis transportation 
                system.
                    (D) Public-private partnerships that will assist in 
                completing proposed projects.
                    (E) An inability to complete pre-construction 
                activities for proposed projects without grant 
                assistance.
    (f) Reports.--In each year in which a grant recipient receives 
funding under the program, that recipient shall submit to the Secretary 
a report that includes a description of the following:
            (1) The activities carried out by that recipient with grant 
        funds in the preceding year.
            (2) The impact of those activities, including in comparison 
        to the objectives for those activities.
    (g) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply:
            (1) Aerotropolis transportation system.--The term 
        ``aerotropolis transportation system'' means a planned and 
        coordinated multimodal freight and passenger transportation 
        network that, as determined by the Secretary, provides 
        efficient, cost-effective, sustainable, and intermodal 
        connectivity to a defined region of economic significance 
        centered around a major airport.
            (2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means 
        any of the following:
                    (A) A State government or political subdivision 
                thereof.
                    (B) A local government or political subdivision 
                thereof.
                    (C) A metropolitan planning organization.
                    (D) A regional planning organization.
                    (E) An organization comprised of more than one 
                entity specified in subparagraphs (A) through (D).