23 U.S.C. § 135 (2024) — Title 23: HIGHWAYS / Chapter 1: FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS / Section 135: Statewide and nonmetropolitan transportation planning
Statewide and nonmetropolitan transportation planning
Status: in_force

(a) General Requirements.—

(1) Development of plans and programs.—Subject to section 134, to accomplish the objectives stated in section 134(a), each State shall develop a statewide transportation plan and a statewide transportation improvement program for all areas of the State.

(2) Contents.—The statewide transportation plan and the transportation improvement program developed for each State shall provide for the development and integrated management and operation of transportation systems and facilities (including accessible pedestrian walkways, bicycle transportation facilities, and intermodal facilities that support intercity transportation, including intercity buses and intercity bus facilities and commuter van pool providers) that will function as an intermodal transportation system for the State and an integral part of an intermodal transportation system for the United States.

(3) Process of development.—The process for developing the statewide plan and the transportation improvement program shall provide for consideration of all modes of transportation and the policies stated in section 134(a) and shall be continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive to the degree appropriate, based on the complexity of the transportation problems to be addressed.

(b) Coordination With Metropolitan Planning; State Implementation Plan.—A State shall—

(1) coordinate planning carried out under this section with the transportation planning activities carried out under section 134 for metropolitan areas of the State and with statewide trade and economic development planning activities and related multistate planning efforts; and

(2) develop the transportation portion of the State implementation plan as required by the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.).

(c) Interstate Agreements.—

(1) In general.—Two or more States may enter into agreements or compacts, not in conflict with any law of the United States, for cooperative efforts and mutual assistance in support of activities authorized under this section related to interstate areas and localities in the States and establishing authorities the States consider desirable for making the agreements and compacts effective.

(2) Reservation of rights.—The right to alter, amend, or repeal interstate compacts entered into under this subsection is expressly reserved.

(d) Scope of Planning Process.—

(1) In general.—Each State shall carry out a statewide transportation planning process that provides for consideration and implementation of projects, strategies, and services that will—

(A) support the economic vitality of the United States, the States, nonmetropolitan areas, and metropolitan areas, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency;

(B) increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users;

(C) increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users;

(D) increase the accessibility and mobility of people and freight;

(E) protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;

(F) enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes throughout the State, for people and freight;

(G) promote efficient system management and operation;

(H) emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system;

(I) improve the resiliency and reliability of the transportation system and reduce or mitigate stormwater impacts of surface transportation; and

(J) enhance travel and tourism.

(2) Performance-based approach.—

(A) In general.—The statewide transportation planning process shall provide for the establishment and use of a performance-based approach to transportation decisionmaking to support the national goals described in section 150(b) of this title and the general purposes described in section 5301 of title 49.

(B) Performance targets.—

(i) Surface transportation performance targets.—

(I) In general.—Each State shall establish performance targets that address the performance measures described in section 150(c), where applicable, to use in tracking progress towards attainment of critical outcomes for the State.

(II) Coordination.—Selection of performance targets by a State shall be coordinated with the relevant metropolitan planning organizations to ensure consistency, to the maximum extent practicable.

(ii) Public transportation performance targets.—In areas not represented by a metropolitan planning organization, selection of performance targets by a State shall be coordinated, to the maximum extent practicable, with providers of public transportation to ensure consistency with sections 5326(c) and 5329(d) of title 49.

(C) Integration of other performance-based plans.—A State shall integrate into the statewide transportation planning process, directly or by reference, the goals, objectives, performance measures, and targets described in this paragraph, in other State transportation plans and transportation processes, as well as any plans developed pursuant to chapter 53 of title 49 by providers of public transportation in areas not represented by a metropolitan planning organization required as part of a performance-based program.

(D) Use of performance measures and targets.—The performance measures and targets established under this paragraph shall be considered by a State when developing policies, programs, and investment priorities reflected in the statewide transportation plan and statewide transportation improvement program.

(3) Failure to consider factors.—The failure to take into consideration the factors specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not be subject to review by any court under this title, chapter 53 of title 49, subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, or chapter 7 of title 5 in any matter affecting a statewide transportation plan, a statewide transportation improvement program, a project or strategy, or the certification of a planning process.

(e) Additional Requirements.—In carrying out planning under this section, each State shall, at a minimum—

(1) with respect to nonmetropolitan areas, cooperate with affected local officials with responsibility for transportation or, if applicable, through regional transportation planning organizations described in subsection (m);

(2) consider the concerns of Indian tribal governments and Federal land management agencies that have jurisdiction over land within the boundaries of the State; and

(3) consider coordination of transportation plans, the transportation improvement program, and planning activities with related planning activities being carried out outside of metropolitan planning areas and between States.

(f) Long-range Statewide Transportation Plan.—

(1) Development.—Each State shall develop a long-range statewide transportation plan, with a minimum 20-year forecast period for all areas of the State, that provides for the development and implementation of the intermodal transportation system of the State.

(2) Consultation with governments.—

(A) Metropolitan areas.—The statewide transportation plan shall be developed for each metropolitan area in the State in cooperation with the metropolitan planning organization designated for the metropolitan area under section 134.

(B) Nonmetropolitan areas.—

(i) In general.—With respect to nonmetropolitan areas, the statewide transportation plan shall be developed in cooperation with affected nonmetropolitan officials with responsibility for transportation or, if applicable, through regional transportation planning organizations described in subsection (m).

(ii) Role of secretary.—The Secretary shall not review or approve the consultation process in each State.

(C) Indian tribal areas.—With respect to each area of the State under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribal government, the statewide transportation plan shall be developed in consultation with the tribal government and the Secretary of the Interior.

(D) Consultation, comparison, and consideration.—

(i) In general.—The long-range transportation plan shall be developed, as appropriate, in consultation with State, tribal, and local agencies responsible for land use management, natural resources, environmental protection, conservation, and historic preservation.

(ii) Comparison and consideration.—Consultation under clause (i) shall involve comparison of transportation plans to State and tribal conservation plans or maps, if available, and comparison of transportation plans to inventories of natural or historic resources, if available.

(3) Participation by interested parties.—

(A) In general.—In developing the statewide transportation plan, the State shall provide to—

(i) nonmetropolitan local elected officials or, if applicable, through regional transportation planning organizations described in subsection (m), an opportunity to participate in accordance with subparagraph (B)(i); and

(ii) citizens, affected public agencies, representatives of public transportation employees, public ports, freight shippers, private providers of transportation (including intercity bus operators, employer-based commuting programs, such as a carpool program, vanpool program, transit benefit program, parking cash-out program, shuttle program, or telework program), representatives of users of public transportation, representatives of users of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, representatives of the disabled, providers of freight transportation services, and other interested parties a reasonable opportunity to comment on the proposed plan.

(B) Methods.—In carrying out subparagraph (A), the State shall, to the maximum extent practicable—

(i) develop and document a consultative process to carry out subparagraph (A)(i) that is separate and discrete from the public involvement process developed under clause (ii);

(ii) hold any public meetings at convenient and accessible locations and times;

(iii) employ visualization techniques to describe plans; and

(iv) make public information available in electronically accessible format and means, such as the World Wide Web, as appropriate to afford reasonable opportunity for consideration of public information under subparagraph (A).

(C) Use of technology.—A State may use social media and other web-based tools—

(i) to further encourage public participation; and

(ii) to solicit public feedback during the transportation planning process.

(4) Mitigation activities.—

(A) In general.—A long-range transportation plan shall include a discussion of potential environmental mitigation activities and potential areas to carry out these activities, including activities that may have the greatest potential to restore and maintain the environmental functions affected by the plan.

(B) Consultation.—The discussion shall be developed in consultation with Federal, State, and tribal wildlife, land management, and regulatory agencies.

(5) Financial plan.—The statewide transportation plan may include—

(A) a financial plan that—

(i) demonstrates how the adopted statewide transportation plan can be implemented;

(ii) indicates resources from public and private sources that are reasonably expected to be made available to carry out the plan; and

(iii) recommends any additional financing strategies for needed projects and programs; and

(B) for illustrative purposes, additional projects that would be included in the adopted statewide transportation plan if reasonable additional resources beyond those identified in the financial plan were available.

(6) Selection of projects from illustrative list.—A State shall not be required to select any project from the illustrative list of additional projects included in the financial plan described in paragraph (5).

(7) Performance-based approach.—The statewide transportation plan shall include—

(A) a description of the performance measures and performance targets used in assessing the performance of the transportation system in accordance with subsection (d)(2); and

(B) a system performance report and subsequent updates evaluating the condition and performance of the transportation system with respect to the performance targets described in subsection (d)(2), including progress achieved by the metropolitan planning organization in meeting the performance targets in comparison with system performance recorded in previous reports;

(8) Existing system.—The statewide transportation plan should include capital, operations and management strategies, investments, procedures, and other measures to ensure the preservation and most efficient use of the existing transportation system, including consideration of the role that intercity buses may play in reducing congestion, pollution, and energy consumption in a cost-effective manner and strategies and investments that preserve and enhance intercity bus systems, including systems that are privately owned and operated.

(9) Publication of long-range transportation plans.—Each long-range transportation plan prepared by a State shall be published or otherwise made available, including (to the maximum extent practicable) in electronically accessible formats and means, such as the World Wide Web.

(g) Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.—

(1) Development.—

(A) In general.—Each State shall develop a statewide transportation improvement program for all areas of the State.

(B) Duration and updating of program.—Each program developed under subparagraph (A) shall cover a period of 4 years and shall be updated every 4 years or more frequently if the Governor of the State elects to update more frequently.

(2) Consultation with governments.—

(A) Metropolitan areas.—With respect to each metropolitan area in the State, the program shall be developed in cooperation with the metropolitan planning organization designated for the metropolitan area under section 134.

(B) Nonmetropolitan areas.—

(i) In general.—With respect to each nonmetropolitan area in the State, the program shall be developed in consultation with affected nonmetropolitan local officials with responsibility for transportation or, if applicable, through regional transportation planning organizations described in subsection (m).

(ii) Role of secretary.—The Secretary shall not review or approve the specific consultation process in the State.

(C) Indian tribal areas.—With respect to each area of the State under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribal government, the program shall be developed in consultation with the tribal government and the Secretary of the Interior.

(3) Participation by interested parties.—In developing the program, the State shall provide citizens, affected public agencies, representatives of public transportation employees, public ports, freight shippers, private providers of transportation (including intercity bus operators), providers of freight transportation services, representatives of users of public transportation, representatives of users of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, representatives of the disabled, and other interested parties with a reasonable opportunity to comment on the proposed program.

(4) Performance target achievement.—A statewide transportation improvement program shall include, to the maximum extent practicable, a discussion of the anticipated effect of the statewide transportation improvement program toward achieving the performance targets established in the statewide transportation plan, linking investment priorities to those performance targets.

(5) Included projects.—

(A) In general.—A transportation improvement program developed under this subsection for a State shall include Federally supported surface transportation expenditures within the boundaries of the State.

(B) Listing of projects.—

(i) In general.—An annual listing of projects for which funds have been obligated for the preceding year in each metropolitan planning area shall be published or otherwise made available by the cooperative effort of the State, transit operator, and the metropolitan planning organization for public review.

(ii) Funding categories.—The listing described in clause (i) shall be consistent with the funding categories identified in each metropolitan transportation improvement program.

(C) Projects under chapter 2.—

(i) Regionally significant projects.—Regionally significant projects proposed for funding under chapter 2 shall be identified individually in the transportation improvement program.

(ii) Other projects.—Projects proposed for funding under chapter 2 that are not determined to be regionally significant shall be grouped in 1 line item or identified individually in the transportation improvement program.

(D) Consistency with statewide transportation plan.—Each project shall be—

(i) consistent with the statewide transportation plan developed under this section for the State;

(ii) identical to the project or phase of the project as described in an approved metropolitan transportation plan; and

(iii) in conformance with the applicable State air quality implementation plan developed under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), if the project is carried out in an area designated as a nonattainment area for ozone, particulate matter, or carbon monoxide under part D of title I of that Act (42 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.).

(E) Requirement of anticipated full funding.—The transportation improvement program shall include a project, or an identified phase of a project, only if full funding can reasonably be anticipated to be available for the project within the time period contemplated for completion of the project.

(F) Financial plan.—

(i) In general.—The transportation improvement program may include a financial plan that demonstrates how the approved transportation improvement program can be implemented, indicates resources from public and private sources that are reasonably expected to be made available to carry out the transportation improvement program, and recommends any additional financing strategies for needed projects and programs.

(ii) Additional projects.—The financial plan may include, for illustrative purposes, additional projects that would be included in the adopted transportation plan if reasonable additional resources beyond those identified in the financial plan were available.

(G) Selection of projects from illustrative list.—

(i) No required selection.—Notwithstanding subparagraph (F), a State shall not be required to select any project from the illustrative list of additional projects included in the financial plan under subparagraph (F).

(ii) Required action by the secretary.—Action by the Secretary shall be required for a State to select any project from the illustrative list of additional projects included in the financial plan under subparagraph (F) for inclusion in an approved transportation improvement program.

(H) Priorities.—The transportation improvement program shall reflect the priorities for programming and expenditures of funds, including transportation enhancement activities, required by this title and chapter 53 of title 49.

(6) Project selection for areas of less than 50,000 population.—

(A) In general.—Projects carried out in areas with populations of less than 50,000 individuals shall be selected, from the approved transportation improvement program (excluding projects carried out on the National Highway System and projects carried out under the bridge program or the Interstate maintenance program under this title or under sections 5310 and 5311 of title 49), by the State in cooperation with the affected nonmetropolitan local officials with responsibility for transportation or, if applicable, through regional transportation planning organizations described in subsection (m).

(B) Other projects.—Projects carried out in areas with populations of less than 50,000 individuals on the National Highway System or under the bridge program or the Interstate maintenance program under this title or under sections 5310 and 5311 of title 49 shall be selected, from the approved statewide transportation improvement program, by the State in consultation with the affected nonmetropolitan local officials with responsibility for transportation.

(7) Transportation improvement program approval.—Every 4 years, a transportation improvement program developed under this subsection shall be reviewed and approved by the Secretary if based on a current planning finding.

(8) Planning finding.—A finding shall be made by the Secretary at least every 4 years that the transportation planning process through which statewide transportation plans and programs are developed is consistent with this section and section 134.

(9) Modifications to project priority.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, action by the Secretary shall not be required to advance a project included in the approved transportation improvement program in place of another project in the program.

(h) Performance-based Planning Processes Evaluation.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall establish criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the performance-based planning processes of States, taking into consideration the following:

(A) The extent to which the State is making progress toward achieving, the performance targets described in subsection (d)(2), taking into account whether the State developed appropriate performance targets.

(B) The extent to which the State has made transportation investments that are efficient and cost-effective.

(C) The extent to which the State—

(i) has developed an investment process that relies on public input and awareness to ensure that investments are transparent and accountable; and

(ii) provides reports allowing the public to access the information being collected in a format that allows the public to meaningfully assess the performance of the State.

(2) Report.—

(A) In general.—Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of the MAP–21, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report evaluating—

(i) the overall effectiveness of performance-based planning as a tool for guiding transportation investments; and

(ii) the effectiveness of the performance-based planning process of each State.

(B) Publication.—The report under subparagraph (A) shall be published or otherwise made available in electronically accessible formats and means, including on the Internet.

(i) Funding.—Funds apportioned under section 104(b)(6) and set aside under section 5305(g) of title 49 shall be available to carry out this section.

(j) Treatment of Certain State Laws as Congestion Management Processes.—For purposes of this section and section 134, and sections 5303 and 5304 of title 49, State laws, rules, or regulations pertaining to congestion management systems or programs may constitute the congestion management process under this section and section 134, and sections 5303 and 5304 of title 49, if the Secretary finds that the State laws, rules, or regulations are consistent with, and fulfill the intent of, the purposes of this section and section 134 and sections 5303 and 5304 of title 49, as appropriate.

(k) Continuation of Current Review Practice.—Since the statewide transportation plan and the transportation improvement program described in this section are subject to a reasonable opportunity for public comment, since individual projects included in the statewide transportation plans and the transportation improvement program are subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and since decisions by the Secretary concerning statewide transportation plans or the transportation improvement program described in this section have not been reviewed under that Act as of January 1, 1997, any decision by the Secretary concerning a metropolitan or statewide transportation plan or the transportation improvement program described in this section shall not be considered to be a Federal action subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).

(l) Schedule for Implementation.—The Secretary shall issue guidance on a schedule for implementation of the changes made by this section, taking into consideration the established planning update cycle for States. The Secretary shall not require a State to deviate from its established planning update cycle to implement changes made by this section. States shall reflect changes made to their transportation plan or transportation improvement program updates not later than 2 years after the date of issuance of guidance by the Secretary under this subsection.

(m) Designation of Regional Transportation Planning Organizations.—

(1) In general.—To carry out the transportation planning process required by this section, a State may establish and designate regional transportation planning organizations to enhance the planning, coordination, and implementation of statewide strategic long-range transportation plans and transportation improvement programs, with an emphasis on addressing the needs of nonmetropolitan areas of the State.

(2) Structure.—A regional transportation planning organization shall be established as a multijurisdictional organization of nonmetropolitan local officials or their designees who volunteer for such organization and representatives of local transportation systems who volunteer for such organization.

(3) Requirements.—A regional transportation planning organization shall establish, at a minimum—

(A) a policy committee, the majority of which shall consist of nonmetropolitan local officials, or their designees, and, as appropriate, additional representatives from the State, private business, transportation service providers, economic development practitioners, and the public in the region; and

(B) a fiscal and administrative agent, such as an existing regional planning and development organization, to provide professional planning, management, and administrative support.

(4) Duties.—The duties of a regional transportation planning organization shall include—

(A) developing and maintaining, in cooperation with the State, regional long-range multimodal transportation plans;

(B) developing a regional transportation improvement program for consideration by the State;

(C) fostering the coordination of local planning, land use, and economic development plans with State, regional, and local transportation plans and programs;

(D) providing technical assistance to local officials;

(E) participating in national, multistate, and State policy and planning development processes to ensure the regional and local input of nonmetropolitan areas;

(F) providing a forum for public participation in the statewide and regional transportation planning processes;

(G) considering and sharing plans and programs with neighboring regional transportation planning organizations, metropolitan planning organizations, and, where appropriate, tribal organizations; and

(H) conducting other duties, as necessary, to support and enhance the statewide planning process under subsection (d).

(5) States without regional transportation planning organizations.—If a State chooses not to establish or designate a regional transportation planning organization, the State shall consult with affected nonmetropolitan local officials to determine projects that may be of regional significance.

(Added Pub. L. 90–495, §10(a), Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 820; amended Pub. L. 91–605, title I, §§106(g), 125, Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1718, 1729; Pub. L. 93–87, title I, §119, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 259; Pub. L. 94–280, title I, §123(a), May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 439; Pub. L. 102–240, title I, §1025(a), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 1962; Pub. L. 103–429, §3(6), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4378; Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §1204(a)–(h), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 180–184; Pub. L. 109–59, title VI, §6001(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1851; Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, §1202(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 514; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, §§1104(e)(3), 1202, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1332, 1374; Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, §§11201(b), (c), 11525(g), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 517, 607.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Clean Air Act, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2) and (g)(5)(D)(iii), is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360, 69 Stat. 322, which is classified generally to chapter 85 (§7401 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. Part D of title I of the Act is classified generally to subpart 1 (§7501 et seq.) of part D of subchapter I of chapter 85 of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7401 of Title 42 and Tables.

The date of enactment of the MAP–21, referred to in subsec. (h)(2)(A), is deemed to be Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a), (b) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment notes under section 101 of this title.

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (k), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 135, Pub. L. 89–139, §4(a), Aug. 28, 1965, 79 Stat. 578, called for a highway safety program in each State approved by the Secretary, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 89–564, title I, §102(a), Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 734. See section 402 of this title.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (f)(3)(C). Pub. L. 117–58, §11201(b), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, §11525(g)(1), substituted "operators), providers" for "operators),, providers".

Subsec. (g)(6)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §11525(g)(2), substituted "5310 and 5311" for "5310, 5311, 5316, and 5317".

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 117–58, §11201(c), substituted "section 104(b)(6)" for "paragraphs (5)(D) and (6) of section 104(b) of this title".

2015—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 114–94, §1202(1), substituted ", bicycle transportation facilities, and intermodal facilities that support intercity transportation, including intercity buses and intercity bus facilities and commuter van pool providers" for "and bicycle transportation facilities".

Subsec. (d)(1)(I), (J). Pub. L. 114–94, §1202(2)(A), added subpars. (I) and (J).

Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 114–94, §1202(2)(B)(i), substituted "and the general purposes described in section 5301 of title 49" for "and in section 5301(c) of title 49".

Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(ii), (C). Pub. L. 114–94, §1202(2)(B)(ii), (iii), struck out "urbanized" before "areas".

Subsec. (f)(3)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 114–94, §1202(3)(A), inserted "public ports," before "freight shippers," and "(including intercity bus operators, employer-based commuting programs, such as a carpool program, vanpool program, transit benefit program, parking cash-out program, shuttle program, or telework program)" after "private providers of transportation".

Subsec. (f)(7). Pub. L. 114–94, §1202(3)(B), substituted "shall" for "should" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (f)(8). Pub. L. 114–94, §1202(3)(C), inserted before period at end ", including consideration of the role that intercity buses may play in reducing congestion, pollution, and energy consumption in a cost-effective manner and strategies and investments that preserve and enhance intercity bus systems, including systems that are privately owned and operated".

Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 114–94, §1202(4), inserted "public ports," before "freight shippers" and "(including intercity bus operators)," after "private providers of transportation".

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 114–94, §1104(e)(3), substituted "paragraphs (5)(D) and (6) of section 104(b)" for "section 104(b)(5)".

2012—Pub. L. 112–141 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to statewide transportation planning.

2005—Pub. L. 109–59 amended section catchline and text generally, substituting provisions relating to statewide transportation planning for provisions relating to, in subsec. (a), development of plans and programs by each State, in subsec. (b), coordination of State with Federal planning, in subsec. (c), scope of planning process, in subsec. (d), additional minimum requirements for each State to consider, in subsec. (e), development of a long-range transportation plan, in subsec. (f), development of a State transportation improvement program, in subsec. (g), funding, in subsec. (h), treatment of certain State laws as congestion management systems, and, in subsec. (i), review of plans and programs under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–178, §1204(a), reenacted heading without change and amended text of subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "It is in the national interest to encourage and promote the development of transportation systems embracing various modes of transportation in a manner that will serve all areas of the State efficiently and effectively. Subject to section 134 of this title, the State shall develop transportation plans and programs for all areas of the State. Such plans and programs shall provide for development of transportation facilities (including pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities) which will function as an intermodal State transportation system. The process for developing such plans and programs shall provide for consideration of all modes of transportation and shall be continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive to the degree appropriate, based on the complexity of the transportation problems."

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–178, §1204(b), inserted "and sections 5303 through 5305 of title 49" after "section 134 of this title".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–178, §1204(c), amended heading and text of subsec. (c) generally, substituting provisions relating to scope of planning process for provisions relating to considerations to be involved in State's continuous transportation planning process.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–178, §1204(d), reenacted heading without change and amended text of subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Each State in carrying out planning under this section shall, at a minimum, consider the following:

"(1) The coordination of transportation plans and programs developed for metropolitan areas of the State under section 134 with the State transportation plans and programs developed under this section and the reconciliation of such plans and programs as necessary to ensure connectivity within transportation systems.

"(2) Investment strategies to improve adjoining State and local roads that support rural economic growth and tourism development, Federal agency renewable resources management, and multipurpose land management practices, including recreation development.

"(3) The concerns of Indian tribal governments having jurisdiction over lands within the boundaries of the State."

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–178, §1204(e), amended heading and text of subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The State shall develop a long-range transportation plan for all areas of the State. With respect to metropolitan areas of the State, the plan shall be developed in cooperation with metropolitan planning organizations designated for metropolitan areas in the State under section 134. With respect to areas of the State under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribal government, the plan shall be developed in cooperation with such government and the Secretary of the Interior. In developing the plan, the State shall provide citizens, affected public agencies, representatives of transportation agency employees, other affected employee representatives, private providers of transportation, and other interested parties with a reasonable opportunity to comment on the proposed plan. In addition, the State shall develop a long-range plan for bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways for appropriate areas of the State which shall be incorporated into the long-range transportation plan."

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–178, §1204(f), amended heading and text of subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, text related to transportation improvement programs, including program development, requirement for inclusion of certain projects for State transportation improvement program, project selection for areas less than 50,000 population, and requirement of biennial review and approval.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105–178, §1204(g), which directed substitution of "section 505(a)" for "section 307(c)(1)" in section 134(g), was executed by making the substitution in subsec. (g) of this section to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 105–178, §1204(h), added subsec. (i).

1994—Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 103–429, §3(6)(A), substituted "chapter 53 of title 49" for "the Federal Transit Act".

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 103–429, §3(6)(B), substituted "sections 5303–5306 and 5323(k) of title 49" for "section 8 of the Federal Transit Act, United States Code" and "section 8 of such Act".

1991—Pub. L. 102–240 substituted section catchline for one which read: "Traffic operations improvement programs", and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"(a) The Congress hereby finds and declares it to be in the national interest that each State shall have a continuing program designed to reduce traffic congestion and facilitate the flow of traffic.

"(b) The Secretary may approve under this section any project for improvements on any public road which project will directly facilitate and control traffic flow on any of the Federal-aid systems."

1976—Pub. L. 94–280 struck out introductory words "Urban area" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–280 struck out "within the designated boundaries of urban areas of the State" and "in the urban areas" after "continuing program" and "flow of traffic", respectively.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–280 substituted "any project for improvements on any public road which project will directly facilitate and control traffic flow on any of the Federal-aid systems" for "any project on an extension of the Federal-aid primary or secondary system in urban areas and on the Federal-aid urban system for improvements which directly facilitate and control traffic flow, such as grade separation of intersections, widening of lanes, channelization of traffic, traffic control systems, and loading and unloading ramps. If such project is located in an urban area of more than fifty thousand population, such project shall be based on a continuing comprehensive transportation planning process carried on in accordance with section 134 of this title".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–280 struck out subsec. (c) which provided for an annual report by the Secretary on projects approved under this section with recommendations for further improvement of traffic operations in accordance with this section.

1973—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 93–87 struck out subsec. (c) which provided for apportionment of sums authorized to carry out this section in accordance with section 104(b)(3) of this title, and redesignated subsec. (d) as (c).

1970—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 91–605 inserted reference to the Federal-aid urban system and required that projects under this section be based on a continuing comprehensive transportation planning process carried on in accordance with section 134 of this title only in urban areas of more than fifty thousand population.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 1991 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–240 effective Dec. 18, 1991, and applicable to funds authorized to be appropriated or made available after Sept. 30, 1991, and, with certain exceptions, not applicable to funds appropriated or made available on or before Sept. 30, 1991, see section 1100 of Pub. L. 102–240, set out as a note under section 104 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective Aug. 23, 1968, see section 37 of Pub. L. 90–495, set out as an Effective Date of 1968 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Participation of Local Elected Officials

Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §1204(i), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 184, directed the Secretary to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the participation of local elected officials in transportation planning and programming, and to transmit to Congress, not later than 2 years after June 9, 1998, a report containing the results of the study and any appropriate recommendations.

Advanced Travel Forecasting Procedures Program

Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5512, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1828, as amended by Pub. L. 110–244, title I, §111(g)(2), June 6, 2008, 122 Stat. 1605, provided that:

"(a) Continuation and Acceleration of TRANSIMS Deployment.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall accelerate the deployment of the advanced transportation model known as the 'Transportation Analysis Simulation System' (in this section referred to as 'TRANSIMS'), developed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

"(2) Program application.—The purpose of the program is to assist State departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations—

"(A) to implement TRANSIMS;

"(B) to develop methods for TRANSIMS applications to transportation planning, air quality analysis, regulatory compliance, and response to natural disasters and other transportation disruptions; and

"(C) to provide training and technical assistance for the implementation of TRANSIMS.

"(b) Required Activities.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall use funds made available to carry out this section to—

"(1) provide funding to State departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations serving transportation management areas designated under chapter 52 [53] of title 49, United States Code, representing a diversity of populations, geographic regions, and analytic needs to implement TRANSIMS;

"(2) develop methods to demonstrate a wide spectrum of TRANSIMS applications to support local, metropolitan, statewide transportation planning, including integrating highway and transit operational considerations into the transportation Planning process, and estimating the effects of induced travel demand and transit ridership in making transportation conformity determinations where applicable;

"(3) provide training and technical assistance with respect to the implementation and application of TRANSIMS to States, local governments, and metropolitan planning organizations with responsibility for travel modeling;

"(4) to further develop TRANSIMS for additional applications, including—

"(A) congestion analyses;

"(B) major investment studies;

"(C) economic impact analyses;

"(D) alternative analyses;

"(E) freight movement studies;

"(F) emergency evacuation studies;

"(G) port studies;

"(H) airport access studies;

"(I) induced demand studies; and

"(J) transit ridership analysis.

"(c) Eligible Activities.—The program may support the development of methods to plan for the transportation response to chemical and biological terrorism and other security concerns.

"(d) Allocation of Funds.—Not more than 75 percent of the funds made available to carry out this section may be allocated to activities described in subsection (b)(1).

"(e) Funding.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act [119 Stat. 1779], $2,625,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this section."

Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §1210, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 187, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish an advanced travel forecasting procedures program—

"(1) to provide for completion of the advanced transportation model developed under the Transportation Analysis Simulation System (referred to in this section as 'TRANSIMS'); and

"(2) to provide support for early deployment of the advanced transportation modeling computer software and graphics package developed under TRANSIMS and the program established under this section to States, local governments, and metropolitan planning organizations with responsibility for travel modeling.

"(b) Eligible Activities.—The Secretary shall use funds made available under this section to—

"(1) provide funding for completion of core development of the advanced transportation model;

"(2) develop user-friendly advanced transportation modeling computer software and graphics packages;

"(3) provide training and technical assistance with respect to the implementation and application of the advanced transportation model to States, local governments, and metropolitan planning organizations with responsibility for travel modeling; and

"(4) allocate funds to not more than 12 entities described in paragraph (3), representing a diversity of populations and geographic regions, for a pilot program to enable transportation management areas designated under section 134(i) [now 134(k)] of title 23, United States Code, to convert from the use of travel forecasting procedures in use by the areas as of the date of enactment of this Act [June 9, 1998] to the use of the advanced transportation model.

"(c) Funding.—

"(1) In general.—There are authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this section $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1998, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2000, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, and $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2003.

"(2) Allocation of funds.—

"(A) Fiscal years 1998 and 1999.—For each of fiscal years 1998 and 1999, 100 percent of the funds made available under paragraph (1) shall be allocated to activities as described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (b).

"(B) Fiscal years 2000 through 2003.—For each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003, not more than 50 percent of the funds made available under paragraph (1) may be allocated to activities described in subsection (b)(4).

"(3) Contract authority.—Funds authorized under this subsection shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if the funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except that the Federal share of the cost of—

"(A) any activity described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (b) shall not exceed 100 percent; and

"(B) any activity described in subsection (b)(4) shall not exceed 80 percent."

Demonstration Project for Automated Roadway Management System

Pub. L. 95–599, title I, §154, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2716, authorized the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a demonstration project for the use of an automated roadway management system to increase roadway capacity without adding additional lanes of pavement and authorized appropriations for fiscal years 1979 to 1981.

Traffic Control Signalization Demonstration Projects

Pub. L. 94–280, title I, §146, May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 446, authorized the Secretary of Transportation to carry out traffic control signalization demonstration projects, appropriated funds for fiscal years 1977 and 1978, and required participating States and the Secretary to submit reports on the progress of such projects.

Authorization of Appropriations

Pub. L. 89–285, title III, §304, Oct. 22, 1965, 79 Stat. 1033, as amended by Pub. L. 97–449, §2(a), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2439, authorized an appropriation of $500,000 to the Secretary for highway safety programs under this section.

Definitions

For additional definitions of terms used in this section, see section 134 of this title.
23 U.S.C. § 611 (2024) — Title 23: HIGHWAYS / Chapter 6: INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE / Section 611: Asset concessions and innovative finance assistance
Asset concessions and innovative finance assistance
Status: in_force

(a) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Approved infrastructure asset.—The term "approved infrastructure asset" means—

(A) a project (as defined in section 601(a)); and

(B) a group of projects (as defined in section 601(a)) considered together in a single asset concession or long-term lease to a concessionaire by 1 or more eligible entities.

(2) Asset concession.—The term "asset concession" means a contract between an eligible entity and a concessionaire—

(A) under which—

(i) the eligible entity agrees to enter into a concession agreement or long-term lease with the concessionaire relating to an approved infrastructure asset owned, controlled, or maintained by the eligible entity;

(ii) as consideration for the agreement or lease described in clause (i), the concessionaire agrees—

(I) to provide to the eligible entity 1 or more asset concession payments; and

(II) to maintain or exceed the condition, performance, and service level of the approved infrastructure asset, as compared to that condition, performance, and service level on the date of execution of the agreement or lease; and

(iii) the eligible entity and the concessionaire agree that the costs for a fiscal year of the agreement or lease, and any project carried out under the agreement or lease, shall not be shifted to any taxpayer the annual household income of whom is less than $400,000 per year, including through taxes, user fees, tolls, or any other measure, for use of an approved infrastructure asset; and

(B) the terms of which do not include any noncompete or exclusivity restriction (or any other, similar restriction) on the approval of another project.

(3) Asset concession payment.—The term "asset concession payment" means a payment that—

(A) is made by a concessionaire to an eligible entity for fair market value that is determined as part of the asset concession; and

(B) may be—

(i) a payment made at the financial close of an asset concession; or

(ii) a series of payments scheduled to be made for—

(I) a fixed period; or

(II) the term of an asset concession.

(4) Concessionaire.—The term "concessionaire" means a private individual or a private or publicly chartered corporation or entity that enters into an asset concession with an eligible entity.

(5) Eligible entity.—

(A) In general.—The term "eligible entity" means an entity described in subparagraph (B) that—

(i) owns, controls, or maintains an approved infrastructure asset; and

(ii) has the legal authority to enter into a contract to transfer ownership, maintenance, operations, revenues, or other benefits and responsibilities for an approved infrastructure asset.

(B) Entities described.—An entity referred to in subparagraph (A) is any of the following:

(i) A State.

(ii) A Tribal government.

(iii) A unit of local government.

(iv) An agency or instrumentality of a State, Tribal government, or unit of local government.

(v) A special purpose district or public authority.

(b) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish a program to facilitate access to expert services for, and to provide grants to, eligible entities to enhance the technical capacity of eligible entities to facilitate and evaluate public-private partnerships in which the private sector partner could assume a greater role in project planning, development, financing, construction, maintenance, and operation, including by assisting eligible entities in entering into asset concessions.

(c) Applications.—To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(d) Eligible Activities.—

(1) Technical assistance grants.—An eligible entity may use amounts made available from a grant under this section for technical assistance to build the organizational capacity of the eligible entity to develop, review, or enter into an asset concession, including for—

(A) identifying appropriate assets or projects for asset concessions;

(B) soliciting and negotiating asset concessions, including hiring staff in public agencies;

(C) conducting a value-for-money analysis, or a comparable analysis, to evaluate the comparative benefits of asset concessions and public debt or other procurement methods;

(D) evaluating options for the structure and use of asset concession payments;

(E) evaluating and publicly presenting the risks and benefits of all contract provisions for the purpose of transparency and accountability;

(F) identifying best practices to protect the public interest and priorities;

(G) identifying best practices for managing transportation demand and mobility along a corridor, including through provisions of the asset concession, to facilitate transportation demand management strategies along the corridor that is subject to the asset concession; and

(H) integrating and coordinating pricing, data, and fare collection with other regional operators that exist or may be developed.

(2) Expert services.—An eligible entity seeking to leverage public and private funding in connection with the development of an early-stage approved infrastructure asset, including in the development of alternative approaches to project delivery or procurement, may use amounts made available from a grant under this section to retain the services of an expert firm to provide to the eligible entity direct project level assistance, which services may include—

(A) project planning, feasibility studies, revenue forecasting, economic assessments and cost-benefit analyses, public benefit studies, value-for-money analyses, business case development, lifecycle cost analyses, risk assessment, financing and funding options analyses, procurement alternatives analyses, statutory and regulatory framework analyses and other pre-procurement and pre-construction activities;

(B) financial and legal planning (including the identification of statutory authorization, funding, and financing options);

(C) early assessment of permitting, environmental review, and regulatory processes and costs; and

(D) assistance with entering into an asset concession.

(e) Distribution.—

(1) Maximum amount.—

(A) Technical assistance grants.—The maximum amount of a technical assistance grant under subsection (d)(1) shall be $2,000,000.

(B) Expert services.—The maximum amount of the value of expert services retained by an eligible entity under subsection (d)(2) shall be $2,000,000.

(2) Cost sharing.—

(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out under this section may be up to 100 percent.

(B) Certain projects.—If the amount of the grant provided to an eligible entity under this section is more than $1,000,000, the Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out using grant amounts in excess of $1,000,000 shall be 50 percent.

(3) Statewide maximum.—The aggregate amount made available under this section to eligible entities within a State shall not exceed, on a cumulative basis for all eligible entities within the State during any 3-year period, $4,000,000.

(f) Requirements.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall ensure that, as a condition of receiving a grant under this section, for any asset concession for which the grant provides direct assistance—

(A) the asset concession shall not prohibit, discourage, or make it more difficult for an eligible entity to construct new infrastructure, to provide or expand transportation services, or to manage associated infrastructure in publicly beneficial ways, along a transportation corridor or in the proximity of a transportation facility that was a part of the asset concession;

(B) the eligible entity shall have adopted binding rules to publish all major business terms of the proposed asset concession not later than the date that is 30 days before entering into the asset concession, to enable public review, including a certification of public interest based on the results of an assessment under subparagraph (D);

(C) the asset concession shall not result in displacement, job loss, or wage reduction for the existing workforce of the eligible entity or other public entities;

(D) the eligible entity or the concessionaire shall carry out a value-for-money analysis, or similar assessment, to compare the aggregate costs and benefits to the eligible entity of the asset concession against alternative options to determine whether the asset concession generates additional public benefits and serves the public interest;

(E) the full amount of any asset concession payment received by the eligible entity under the asset concession, less any amount paid for transaction costs relating to the asset concession, shall be used to pay infrastructure costs of the eligible entity; and

(F) the terms of the asset concession shall not result in any increase in costs under the asset concession being shifted to taxpayers the annual household income of whom is less than $400,000 per year, including through taxes, user fees, tolls, or any other measure, for use of an approved infrastructure asset.

(2) Audit.—Not later than 3 years after the date on which an eligible entity enters into an asset concession as a result of a grant under this section—

(A) the eligible entity shall hire an independent auditor to evaluate the performance of the concessionaire based on the requirements described in paragraph (1); and

(B) the independent auditor shall submit to the eligible entity, and make publicly available, a report describing the results of the audit under subparagraph (A).

(3) Treatment.—Unless otherwise provided under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not, as a condition of receiving a grant under this section, prohibit or otherwise prevent an eligible entity from entering into, or receiving any asset concession payment under, an asset concession for an approved infrastructure asset owned, controlled, or maintained by the eligible entity.

(4) Applicability of federal laws.—Nothing in this section exempts a concessionaire or an eligible entity from a compliance obligation with respect to any applicable Federal or State law that would otherwise apply to the concessionaire, the eligible entity, or an approved infrastructure asset.

(g) Funding.—

(1) In general.—On October 1, 2021, and on each October 1 thereafter through October 1, 2025, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary to carry out this section $20,000,000, to remain available until expended.

(2) Receipt and acceptance.—The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under paragraph (1), without further appropriation.

(Added Pub. L. 117–58, div. G, title X, §71001(a)(1), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1316.)
23 U.S.C. § 204 (2024) — Title 23: HIGHWAYS / Chapter 2: OTHER HIGHWAYS / Section 204: Federal lands access program
Federal lands access program
Status: in_force

(a) Use of Funds.—

(1) In general.—Funds made available under the Federal lands access program shall be used by the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of the appropriate Federal land management agency to pay the cost of—

(A) transportation planning, research, engineering, preventive maintenance, rehabilitation, restoration, context-sensitive solutions, construction, and reconstruction of Federal lands access transportation facilities located on or adjacent to, or that provide access to, Federal land, and—

(i) adjacent vehicular parking areas, including interpretive panels in or adjacent to those areas;

(ii) acquisition of necessary scenic easements and scenic or historic sites;

(iii) provisions for pedestrians and bicycles;

(iv) environmental mitigation in or adjacent to Federal land to improve public safety and reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity;

(v) construction and reconstruction of roadside rest areas, including sanitary and water facilities;

(vi) contextual wayfinding markers;

(vii) landscaping;

(viii) cooperative mitigation of visual blight, including screening or removal; and

(ix) other appropriate public road facilities, as determined by the Secretary;

(B) operation and maintenance of transit facilities; and

(C) any transportation project eligible for assistance under this title that is within or adjacent to, or that provides access to, Federal land.

(2) Contract.—In connection with an activity described in paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Secretary of the appropriate Federal land management agency may enter into a contract or other appropriate agreement with respect to the activity with—

(A) a State (including a political subdivision of a State); or

(B) an Indian tribe.

(3) Administration.—All appropriations for the construction and improvement of Federal lands access transportation facilities shall be administered in conformity with regulations and agreements approved by the Secretary.

(4) Cooperation.—

(A) In general.—The cooperation of States, counties, or other local subdivisions may be accepted in construction and improvement.

(B) Funds received.—Any funds received from a State, county, or local subdivision for a Federal lands access transportation facility project shall be credited to appropriations available under the Federal lands access program.

(5) Competitive bidding.—

(A) In general.—Subject to subparagraph (B), construction of each project shall be performed by contract awarded by competitive bidding.

(B) Exception.—Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if the Secretary or the Secretary of the appropriate Federal land management agency affirmatively finds that, under the circumstances relating to the project, a different method is in the public interest.

(6) Native plant materials.—In carrying out an activity described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that the entity carrying out the activity considers, to the maximum extent practicable—

(A) the use of locally adapted native plant materials; and

(B) designs that minimize runoff and heat generation.

(b) Program Distributions.—

(1) In general.—Funding made available to carry out the Federal lands access program shall be allocated among those States that have Federal land, in accordance with the following formula:

(A) 80 percent of the available funding for use in those States that contain at least 1 ½ percent of the total public land in the United States managed by the agencies described in paragraph (2), to be distributed as follows:

(i) 30 percent in the ratio that—

(I) recreational visitation within each such State; bears to

(II) the recreational visitation within all such States.

(ii) 5 percent in the ratio that—

(I) the Federal land area within each such State; bears to

(II) the Federal land area in all such States.

(iii) 55 percent in the ratio that—

(I) the Federal public road miles within each such State; bears to

(II) the Federal public road miles in all such States.

(iv) 10 percent in the ratio that—

(I) the number of Federal public bridges within each such State; bears to

(II) the number of Federal public bridges in all such States.

(B) 20 percent of the available funding for use in those States that do not contain at least 1 ½ percent of the total public land in the United States managed by the agencies described in paragraph (2), to be distributed as follows:

(i) 30 percent in the ratio that—

(I) recreational visitation within each such State; bears to

(II) the recreational visitation within all such States.

(ii) 5 percent in the ratio that—

(I) the Federal land area within each such State; bears to

(II) the Federal land area in all such States.

(iii) 55 percent in the ratio that—

(I) the Federal public road miles within each such State; bears to

(II) the Federal public road miles in all such States.

(iv) 10 percent in the ratio that—

(I) the number of Federal public bridges within each such State; bears to

(II) the number of Federal public bridges in all such States.

(2) Data source.—Data necessary to distribute funding under paragraph (1) shall be provided by the following Federal land management agencies:

(A) The National Park Service.

(B) The Forest Service.

(C) The United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

(D) The Bureau of Land Management.

(E) The Corps of Engineers.

(c) Programming Decisions Committee.—

(1) In general.—Programming decisions shall be made within each State by a committee comprised of—

(A) a representative of the Federal Highway Administration;

(B) a representative of the State Department of Transportation; and

(C) a representative of any appropriate political subdivision of the State.

(2) Consultation requirement.—The committee described in paragraph (1) shall cooperate with each applicable Federal agency in each State before any joint discussion or final programming decision.

(3) Project preference.—In making a programming decision under paragraph (1), the committee shall give preference to projects that provide access to, are adjacent to, or are located within high-use Federal recreation sites or Federal economic generators, as identified by the Secretaries of the appropriate Federal land management agencies.

(Added Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, §1119(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 489; amended Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, §11113(b), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 479.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 204, Pub. L. 85–767, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 907; Pub. L. 97–424, title I, §126(b), Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2114; Pub. L. 100–17, title I, §133(b)(13), (14), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 172; Pub. L. 102–240, title I, §§1030, 1032(b), title VI, §6004(c), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 1970, 1974, 2169; Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §1115(d), (e)(4), title V, §5119(a), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 156, 158, 452; Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1119(h)–(k), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1187–1189, related to Federal lands highways program, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, §1119(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 473.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §11113(b)(1)(A), inserted "context-sensitive solutions," after "restoration," in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i). Pub. L. 117–58, §11113(b)(1)(B), inserted ", including interpretive panels in or adjacent to those areas" after "areas".

Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(vi) to (ix). Pub. L. 117–58, §11113(b)(1)(C)–(E), added cls. (vi) to (viii) and redesignated former cl. (vi) as (ix).

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 117–58, §11113(b)(2), added par. (6).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.
23 U.S.C. § 505 (2024) — Title 23: HIGHWAYS / Chapter 5: RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY, AND EDUCATION / Section 505: State planning and research
State planning and research
Status: in_force

(a) General Rule.—Two percent of the sums apportioned to a State for fiscal year 1998 and each fiscal year thereafter under paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 104(b) shall be available for expenditure by the State, in consultation with the Secretary, only for the following purposes:

(1) Engineering and economic surveys and investigations.

(2) The planning of future highway programs and local public transportation systems and the planning of the financing of such programs and systems, including metropolitan and statewide planning under sections 134 and 135.

(3) Development and implementation of management systems, plans, and processes under sections 119, 148, 149, and 167.

(4) Studies of the economy, safety, and convenience of surface transportation systems and the desirable regulation and equitable taxation of such systems.

(5) Research, development, and technology transfer activities necessary in connection with the planning, design, construction, management, and maintenance of highway, public transportation, and intermodal transportation systems.

(6) Study, research, and training on the engineering standards and construction materials for transportation systems described in paragraph (5), including the evaluation and accreditation of inspection and testing and the regulation and taxation of their use.

(7) The conduct of activities relating to the planning of real-time monitoring elements.

(b) Minimum Expenditures on Research, Development, and Technology Transfer Activities.—

(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), not less than 25 percent of the funds subject to subsection (a) that are apportioned to a State for a fiscal year shall be expended by the State for research, development, and technology transfer activities described in subsection (a), relating to highway, public transportation, and intermodal transportation systems.

(2) Waivers.—The Secretary may waive the application of paragraph (1) with respect to a State for a fiscal year if the State certifies to the Secretary for the fiscal year that total expenditures by the State for transportation planning under sections 134 and 135 will exceed 75 percent of the funds described in paragraph (1) and the Secretary accepts such certification.

(3) Nonapplicability of assessment.—Funds expended under paragraph (1) shall not be considered to be part of the extramural budget of the agency for the purpose of section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).

(c) Implementation of Future Strategic Highway Research Program Findings and Results.—

(1) Funds.—A State shall make available to the Secretary to carry out section 503(c)(2)(C) a percentage of funds subject to subsection (a) that are apportioned to that State, that is agreed to by ¾ of States for each of fiscal years 2013 and 2014.

(2) Treatment of funds.—Funds expended under paragraph (1) shall not be considered to be part of the extramural budget of the agency for the purpose of section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).

(d) Federal Share.—The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out using funds subject to subsection (a) shall be 80 percent unless the Secretary determines that the interests of the Federal-aid highway program would be best served by decreasing or eliminating the non-Federal share.

(e) Administration of Sums.—Funds subject to subsection (a) shall be combined and administered by the Secretary as a single fund and shall be available for obligation for the period described in section 118(b).

(Added Pub. L. 105–178, title V, §5105, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 432; amended Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5205, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1795; Pub. L. 112–141, div. E, title II, §52005, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 882; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, §1104(e)(6), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1332.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 505, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 831, related to highway relocation assistance payments, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–94 substituted "through (5)" for "through (4)" in introductory provisions.

2012—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–141, §52005(1)(A), substituted "paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 104(b)" for "section 104 (other than sections 104(f) and 104(h)) and under section 144" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 112–141, §52005(1)(B), substituted ", plans, and processes under sections 119, 148, 149, and 167" for "under section 303".

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 112–141, §52005(2), (3), added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–141, §52005(2), (4), redesignated subsec. (d) as (e) and substituted "section 118(b)" for "section 118(b)(2)".

2005—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 109–59, §5205(1), added par. (7).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–59, §5205(2), substituted "for the period described in section 118(b)(2)" for "for the same period as funds apportioned under section 104(b)(1)".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Alaska Highway Study

Pub. L. 87–866, §13, Oct. 23, 1962, 76 Stat. 1149, as amended by Pub. L. 97–449, §2(a), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2439, provided that:

"(a) The Secretary of Transportation, in cooperation with the State of Alaska, is hereby authorized to make engineering studies and estimates and planning surveys relative to a highway construction program for the State of Alaska, and, in accordance with treaties or other agreements to be negotiated with Canada by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, engineering studies, estimates, and planning surveys relative to connecting Alaskan roads with Canadian roads at the International boundary.

"(b) On or before May 15, 1964, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to the Congress which shall include—

"(1) an analysis of the adequacy of the Federal-aid highway program to provide for a satisfactory program in both the populated and the undeveloped areas in Alaska;

"(2) specific recommendations as to the construction of roads through undeveloped areas of Alaska and connection of such roads with Canadian roads at the International boundary; and

"(3) a feasible program for implementing such specific recommendations, including cost estimates, recommendations as to the sharing of cost responsibilities, and other pertinent matters.

"(c) From time to time, either before or after submission of the report provided for in subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary of Transportation may submit recommendations to the Congress with respect to the construction of particular highways to carry out the purposes of this section.

"(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as creating any obligation in the Congress, express or implied, to carry out the recommendations referred to in subsections (b) and (c).

"(e) There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be available until expended, the sum of $800,000 for the purpose of making the studies, surveys, and report authorized by subsections (a) and (b) hereof."
23 U.S.C. § 520 (2024) — Title 23: HIGHWAYS / Chapter 5: RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY, AND EDUCATION / Section 520: Transportation Resilience and Adaptation Centers of Excellence
Transportation Resilience and Adaptation Centers of Excellence
Status: in_force

(a) Definition of Center of Excellence.—In this section, the term "Center of Excellence" means a Center of Excellence for Resilience and Adaptation designated under subsection (b).

(b) Designation.—The Secretary shall designate 10 regional Centers of Excellence for Resilience and Adaptation and 1 national Center of Excellence for Resilience and Adaptation, which shall serve as a coordinator for the regional Centers, to receive grants to advance research and development that improves the resilience of regions of the United States to natural disasters and extreme weather by promoting the resilience of surface transportation infrastructure and infrastructure dependent on surface transportation.

(c) Eligibility.—An entity eligible to be designated as a Center of Excellence is—

(1) an institution of higher education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)); or

(2) a consortium of nonprofit organizations led by an institution of higher education.

(d) Application.—To be eligible to be designated as a Center of Excellence, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a proposal that includes a description of the activities to be carried out with a grant under this section.

(e) Selection.—

(1) Regional centers of excellence.—The Secretary shall designate 1 regional Center of Excellence in each of the 10 Federal regions that comprise the Standard Federal Regions established by the Office of Management and Budget in the document entitled "Standard Federal Regions" and dated April 1974 (circular A–105).

(2) National center of excellence.—The Secretary shall designate 1 national Center of Excellence to coordinate the activities of all 10 regional Centers of Excellence to minimize duplication and promote coordination and dissemination of research among the Centers.

(3) Criteria.—In selecting eligible entities to designate as a Center of Excellence, the Secretary shall consider—

(A) the past experience and performance of the eligible entity in carrying out activities described in subsection (g);

(B) the merits of the proposal of an eligible entity and the extent to which the proposal would—

(i) advance the state of practice in resilience planning and identify innovative resilience solutions for transportation assets and systems;

(ii) support activities carried out under the PROTECT program under section 176;

(iii) support and build on work being carried out by another Federal agency relating to resilience;

(iv) inform transportation decisionmaking at all levels of government;

(v) engage local, regional, Tribal, State, and national stakeholders, including, if applicable, stakeholders representing transportation, transit, urban, and land use planning, natural resources, environmental protection, hazard mitigation, and emergency management; and

(vi) engage community groups and other stakeholders that will be affected by transportation decisions, including underserved, economically disadvantaged, rural, and predominantly minority communities; and

(C) the local, regional, Tribal, State, and national impacts of the proposal of the eligible entity.

(f) Grants.—Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall provide to each Center of Excellence a grant of not less than $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2031 to carry out the activities described in subsection (g).

(g) Activities.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall ensure that a Center of Excellence uses the funds from a grant under subsection (f) to promote resilient transportation infrastructure, including through—

(1) supporting climate vulnerability assessments informed by climate change science, including national climate assessments produced by the United States Global Change Research Program under section 106 of the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (15 U.S.C. 2936), relevant feasibility analyses of resilient transportation improvements, and transportation resilience planning;

(2) development of new design, operations, and maintenance standards for transportation infrastructure that can inform Federal and State decisionmaking;

(3) research and development of new materials and technologies that could be integrated into existing and new transportation infrastructure;

(4) development, refinement, and piloting of new and emerging resilience improvements and strategies, including natural infrastructure approaches and relocation;

(5) development of and investment in new approaches for facilitating meaningful engagement in transportation decisionmaking by local, Tribal, regional, or national stakeholders and communities;

(6) technical capacity building to facilitate the ability of local, regional, Tribal, State, and national stakeholders—

(A) to assess the vulnerability of transportation infrastructure assets and systems;

(B) to develop community response strategies;

(C) to meaningfully engage with community stakeholders; and

(D) to develop strategies and improvements for enhancing transportation infrastructure resilience under current conditions and a range of potential future conditions;

(7) workforce development and training;

(8) development and dissemination of data, tools, techniques, assessments, and information that informs Federal, State, Tribal, and local government decisionmaking, policies, planning, and investments;

(9) education and outreach regarding transportation infrastructure resilience; and

(10) technology transfer and commercialization.

(h) Federal Share.—The Federal share of the cost of an activity under this section, including the costs of establishing and operating a Center of Excellence, shall be 50 percent.

(Added Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title III, §13009(a), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 642.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as an Effective Date of 2021 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.
23 U.S.C. § 512 (2024) — Title 23: HIGHWAYS / Chapter 5: RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY, AND EDUCATION / Section 512: National ITS program plan
National ITS program plan
Status: in_force

(a) In General.—

(1) Updates.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the SAFETEA–LU, the Secretary, in consultation with interested stakeholders (including State transportation departments) shall develop a 5-year National Intelligent Transportation System (in this section referred to as "ITS") program plan.

(2) Scope.—The National ITS program plan shall—

(A) specify the goals, objectives, and milestones for the research and deployment of intelligent transportation systems in the contexts of—

(i) major metropolitan areas;

(ii) smaller metropolitan and rural areas; and

(iii) commercial vehicle operations;

(B) specify the manner in which specific programs and projects will achieve the goals, objectives, and milestones referred to in subparagraph (A), including consideration of a 5-year timeframe for the goals and objectives;

(C) identify activities that provide for the dynamic development, testing, and necessary revision of standards and protocols to promote and ensure interoperability in the implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies, including actions taken to establish standards; and

(D) establish a cooperative process with State and local governments for—

(i) determining desired surface transportation system performance levels; and

(ii) developing plans for accelerating the incorporation of specific intelligent transportation system capabilities into surface transportation systems.

(b) Reporting.—The National ITS program plan shall be submitted and biennially updated.

(Added Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §5301(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1804; amended Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6019(d)(1)(D), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1581.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of the SAFETEA–LU, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–59, which was approved Aug. 10, 2005.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 512, formerly 511, added Pub. L. 90–495, §30, Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 834; renumbered §512, Pub. L. 91–605, title I, §117(a), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1724, related to definitions for chapter, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 91–646, title II, §220(a)(10), Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1903.

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–94 struck out "as part of the transportation research and development strategic plan developed under section 508" before period at end.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Intelligent Transportation System Program

Pub. L. 109–59, title V, §§5303–5310, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1806–1813, as amended by Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, §6019(d)(3), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1582; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(176), (177), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4325, provided that:

"SEC. 5303. GOALS AND PURPOSES.

"(a) Goals.—The goals of the intelligent transportation system program include—

"(1) enhancement of surface transportation efficiency and facilitation of intermodalism and international trade to enable existing facilities to meet a significant portion of future transportation needs, including public access to employment, goods, and services and to reduce regulatory, financial, and other transaction costs to public agencies and system users;

"(2) achievement of national transportation safety goals, including the enhancement of safe operation of motor vehicles and nonmotorized vehicles and improved emergency response to a crash, with particular emphasis on decreasing the number and severity of collisions;

"(3) protection and enhancement of the natural environment and communities affected by surface transportation, with particular emphasis on assisting State and local governments to achieve national environmental goals;

"(4) accommodation of the needs of all users of surface transportation systems, including operators of commercial motor vehicles, passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians, including individuals with disabilities; and

"(5) improvement of the Nation's ability to respond to security-related or other manmade emergencies and natural disasters and enhancement of national defense mobility.

"(b) Purposes.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall implement activities under the intelligent system transportation program to, at a minimum—

"(1) expedite, in both metropolitan and rural areas, deployment and integration of intelligent transportation systems for consumers of passenger and freight transportation;

"(2) ensure that Federal, State, and local transportation officials have adequate knowledge of intelligent transportation systems for consideration in the transportation planning process;

"(3) improve regional cooperation and operations planning for effective intelligent transportation system deployment;

"(4) promote the innovative use of private resources;

"(5) facilitate, in cooperation with the motor vehicle industry, the introduction of vehicle-based safety enhancing systems;

"(6) support the application of intelligent transportation systems that increase the safety and efficiency of commercial motor vehicle operations;

"(7) develop a workforce capable of developing, operating, and maintaining intelligent transportation systems; and

"(8) provide continuing support for operations and maintenance of intelligent transportation systems.

"SEC. 5304. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT.

"Funds made available to carry out this subtitle [subtitle C (§§5301–5310) of title V of Pub. L. 109–59, enacting this section and section 513 of this title] for operational tests—

"(1) shall be used primarily for the development of intelligent transportation system infrastructure; and

"(2) to the maximum extent practicable, shall not be used for the construction of physical highway and public transportation infrastructure unless the construction is incidental and critically necessary to the implementation of an intelligent transportation system project.

"SEC. 5305. GENERAL AUTHORITIES AND REQUIREMENTS.

"(a) Scope.—Subject to the provisions of this subtitle [subtitle C (§§5301–5310) of title V of Pub. L. 109–59, enacting this section and section 513 of this title], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall conduct an ongoing intelligent transportation system program to research, develop, and operationally test intelligent transportation systems and to provide technical assistance in the nationwide application of those systems as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States.

"(b) Policy.—Intelligent transportation system research projects and operational tests funded pursuant to this subtitle shall encourage and not displace public-private partnerships or private sector investment in such tests and projects.

"(c) Cooperation With Governmental, Private, and Educational Entities.—The Secretary shall carry out the intelligent transportation system program in cooperation with State and local governments and other public entities, the private sector firms of the United States, the Federal laboratories, and colleges and universities, including historically Black colleges and universities and other minority institutions of higher education.

"(d) Consultation With Federal Officials.—In carrying out the intelligent transportation system program, the Secretary shall consult with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate.

"(e) Technical Assistance, Training, and Information.—The Secretary may provide technical assistance, training, and information to State and local governments seeking to implement, operate, maintain, or evaluate intelligent transportation system technologies and services.

"(f) Transportation Planning.—The Secretary may provide funding to support adequate consideration of transportation systems management and operations, including intelligent transportation systems, within metropolitan and statewide transportation planning processes.

"(g) Information Clearinghouse.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary shall—

"(A) maintain a repository for technical and safety data collected as a result of federally sponsored projects carried out under this subtitle (including the amendments made by this subtitle); and

"(B) make, on request, that information (except for proprietary information and data) readily available to all users of the repository at an appropriate cost.

"(2) Agreement.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary may enter into an agreement with a third party for the maintenance of the repository for technical and safety data under paragraph (1)(A).

"(B) Federal financial assistance.—If the Secretary enters into an agreement with an entity for the maintenance of the repository, the entity shall be eligible for Federal financial assistance under this section.

"(3) Availability of information.—Information in the repository shall not be subject to sections 552 and 555 of title 5, United States Code.

"(h) Advisory Committee.—

"(1) In general.—The Secretary shall establish an Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on carrying out this subtitle.

"(2) Membership.—The Advisory Committee shall have no more than 20 members, be balanced between metropolitan and rural interests, and include, at a minimum—

"(A) a representative from a State highway department;

"(B) a representative from a local highway department who is not from a metropolitan planning organization;

"(C) a representative from a State, local, or regional transit agency;

"(D) a representative from a metropolitan planning organization;

"(E) a private sector user of intelligent transportation system technologies;

"(F) an academic researcher with expertise in computer science or another information science field related to intelligent transportation systems, and who is not an expert on transportation issues;

"(G) an academic researcher who is a civil engineer;

"(H) an academic researcher who is a social scientist with expertise in transportation issues;

"(I) a representative from a nonprofit group representing the intelligent transportation system industry;

"(J) a representative from a public interest group concerned with safety;

"(K) a representative from a public interest group concerned with the impact of the transportation system on land use and residential patterns; and

"(L) members with expertise in planning, safety, and operations.

"(3) Duties.—The Advisory Committee shall, at a minimum, perform the following duties:

"(A) Provide input into the development of the Intelligent Transportation System aspects of the 5-year strategic plan under [section] 6503 of title 49, United States Code.

"(B) Review, at least annually, areas of intelligent transportation systems research being considered for funding by the Department, to determine—

"(i) whether these activities are likely to advance either the state-of-the-practice or state-of-the-art in intelligent transportation systems;

"(ii) whether the intelligent transportation system technologies are likely to be deployed by users, and if not, to determine the barriers to deployment; and

"(iii) the appropriate roles for government and the private sector in investing in the research and technologies being considered.

"(4) Report.—Not later than February 1 of each year after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 2005], the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a report including—

"(A) all recommendations made by the Advisory Committee during the preceding calendar year;

"(B) an explanation of how the Secretary has implemented those recommendations; and

"(C) for recommendations not implemented, the reasons for rejecting the recommendations.

"(5) Applicability of chapter 10 of title 5, united states code.—The Advisory Committee shall be subject to chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code.

"(i) Reporting.—

"(1) Guidelines and requirements.—

"(A) In general.—The Secretary shall issue guidelines and requirements for the reporting and evaluation of operational tests and deployment projects carried out under this subtitle.

"(B) Objectivity and independence.—The guidelines and requirements issued under subparagraph (A) shall include provisions to ensure the objectivity and independence of the reporting entity so as to avoid any real or apparent conflict of interest or potential influence on the outcome by parties to any such test or deployment project or by any other formal evaluation carried out under this subtitle.

"(C) Funding.—The guidelines and requirements issued under subparagraph (A) shall establish reporting funding levels based on the size and scope of each test or project that ensure adequate reporting of the results of the test or project.

"(2) Special rule.—Any survey, questionnaire, or interview that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out the reporting of any test, deployment project, or program assessment activity under this subtitle shall not be subject to chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code.

"SEC. 5306. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

"(a) In General.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall carry out a comprehensive program of intelligent transportation system research, development, and operational tests of intelligent vehicles and intelligent infrastructure systems and other similar activities that are necessary to carry out this subtitle [subtitle C (§§5301–5310) of title V of Pub. L. 109–59, enacting this section and section 513 of this title].

"(b) Priority Areas.—Under the program, the Secretary shall give higher priority to funding projects that—

"(1) enhance mobility and productivity through improved traffic management, incident management, transit management, freight management, road weather management, toll collection, traveler information, or highway operations systems and remote sensing products;

"(2) utilize interdisciplinary approaches to develop traffic management strategies and tools to address multiple impacts of congestion concurrently;

"(3) address traffic management, incident management, transit management, toll collection traveler information, or highway operations systems with goals of—

"(A) reducing metropolitan congestion by not less than 5 percent by 2010;

"(B) ensuring that a national, interoperable 5–1–1 system, along with a national traffic information system that includes a user-friendly, comprehensive website, is fully implemented for use by travelers throughout the United States by September 30, 2010; and

"(C)(i) improving incident management response, particularly in rural areas, so that rural emergency response times are reduced by an average of 10 minutes; and

"(ii) improving communication between emergency care providers and trauma centers;

"(4) incorporate research on the impact of environmental, weather, and natural conditions on intelligent transportation systems, including the effects of cold climates;

"(5) enhance intermodal use of intelligent transportation systems for diverse groups, including for emergency and health-related services;

"(6) enhance safety through improved crash avoidance and protection, crash and other notification, commercial motor vehicle operations, and infrastructure-based or cooperative safety systems; and

"(7) facilitate the integration of intelligent infrastructure, vehicle, and control technologies.

"(c) Federal Share.—The Federal share of the cost of operational tests and demonstrations under subsection (a) shall not exceed 80 [sic].

"SEC. 5307. NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE AND STANDARDS.

"(a) In General.—

"(1) Development, implementation, and maintenance.—Consistent with section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 [Pub. L. 104–113] (15 U.S.C. 272 note; 110 Stat. 783), the Secretary [of Transportation] shall develop, implement, and maintain a national architecture and supporting standards and protocols to promote the widespread use and evaluation of intelligent transportation system technology as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States.

"(2) Interoperability and efficiency.—To the maximum extent practicable, the national architecture shall promote interoperability among, and efficiency of, intelligent transportation system technologies implemented throughout the United States.

"(3) Use of standards development organizations.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall use the services of such standards development organizations as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

"(4) Use of expert panel.—

"(A) Designation.—The Secretary shall designate a panel of experts to recommend ways to expedite and streamline the process for developing the standards and protocols to be developed pursuant to paragraph (1).

"(B) Nonapplicability of chapter 10 of title 5, united states code.—The expert panel shall not be subject to chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code.

"(C) Deadline for recommendation.—Not later than September 30, 2007, the expert panel shall provide the Secretary with a recommendation relating to such standards development.

"(b) Provisional Standards.—

"(1) In general.—If the Secretary finds that the development or balloting of an intelligent transportation system standard jeopardizes the timely achievement of the objectives identified in subsection (a), the Secretary may establish a provisional standard, after consultation with affected parties, using, to the extent practicable, the work product of appropriate standards development organizations.

"(2) Period of effectiveness.—A provisional standard established under paragraph (1) shall be published in the Federal Register and remain in effect until the appropriate standards development organization adopts and publishes a standard.

"(c) Conformity With National Architecture.—

"(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary shall ensure that intelligent transportation system projects carried out using funds made available from the Highway Trust Fund, including funds made available under this subtitle to deploy intelligent transportation system technologies, conform to the national architecture, applicable standards or provisional standards, and protocols developed under subsection (a).

"(2) Secretary's discretion.—The Secretary may authorize exceptions to paragraph (1) for—

"(A) projects designed to achieve specific research objectives outlined in the national intelligent transportation system program plan or the surface transportation research and development strategic plan developed under section 508 of title 23, United States Code; or

"(B) the upgrade or expansion of an intelligent transportation system in existence on the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 2005] if the Secretary determines that the upgrade or expansion—

"(i) would not adversely affect the goals or purposes of this subtitle [subtitle C (§§5301–5310) of title V of Pub. L. 109–59, enacting this section and section 513 of this title];

"(ii) is carried out before the end of the useful life of such system; and

"(iii) is cost-effective as compared to alternatives that would meet the conformity requirement of paragraph (1).

"(3) Exceptions.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to funds used for operation or maintenance of an intelligent transportation system in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.

"SEC. 5308. ROAD WEATHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish a road weather research and development program to—

"(1) maximize use of available road weather information and technologies;

"(2) expand road weather research and development efforts to enhance roadway safety, capacity, and efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts; and

"(3) promote technology transfer of effective road weather scientific and technological advances.

"(b) Stakeholder Input.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.

"(c) Contents.—The program established under this section shall solely carry out research and development called for in the National Research Council's report entitled 'A Research Agenda for Improving Road Weather Services'. Such research and development includes—

"(1) integrating existing observational networks and data management systems for road weather applications;

"(2) improving weather modeling capabilities and forecast tools, such as the road surface and atmospheric interface;

"(3) enhancing mechanisms for communicating road weather information to users, such as transportation officials and the public; and

"(4) integrating road weather technologies into an information infrastructure.

"(d) Activities.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall—

"(1) enable efficient technology transfer;

"(2) improve education and training of road weather information users, such as State and local transportation officials and private sector transportation contractors; and

"(3) coordinate with transportation weather research programs in other modes, such as aviation.

"(e) Funding.—

"(1) In general.—In awarding funds under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to applications with significant matching funds from non-Federal sources.

"(2) Funds for road weather research and development.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(5) of this Act [119 Stat. 1779], $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this section.

"SEC. 5309. CENTERS FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXCELLENCE.

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish 4 centers for surface transportation excellence.

"(b) Goals.—The goals of the centers for surface transportation excellence are to promote and support strategic national surface transportation programs and activities relating to the work of State departments of transportation in the areas of environment, surface transportation safety, rural safety, and project finance.

"(c) Role of Centers.—To achieve the goals set forth in subsection (b), the Secretary shall establish the 4 centers as follows:

"(1) Environmental excellence.—To provide technical assistance, information sharing of best practices, and training in the use of tools and decision-making processes that can assist States in planning and delivering environmentally sound surface transportation projects.

"(2) Surface transportation safety.—To develop and disseminate advanced transportation safety techniques and innovations in both rural areas and urban communities. The center will use a controlled access highway with state-of-the-art features, to test safety devices and techniques that enhance driver performance, examine advanced pavement and lighting systems, and develop techniques to address older driver and fatigue driver issues.

"(3) Rural safety.—To provide research, training, and outreach on innovative uses of technology to enhance rural safety and economic development, assess local community needs to improve access to mobile emergency treatment, and develop online and seminar training needs of rural transportation practitioners and policy-makers.

"(4) Project finance.—To provide support to State transportation departments in the development of finance plans and project oversight tools and to develop and offer training in state-of-the-art financing methods to advance projects and leverage funds.

"(d) Funding.—

"(1) In general.—Of the amounts made available by section 5101(a)(1) of this Act [119 Stat. 1779], $3,750,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009 shall be available to carry out this section.

"(2) Allocation of funds.—Of the funds made available under paragraph (1) the Secretary shall use such amounts as follows:

"(A) $1,250,000 to establish the Center for Environmental Excellence.

"(B) $750,000 to establish the Center for Excellence in Surface Transportation Safety at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

"(C) $875,000 to establish the Center for Excellence in Rural Safety at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute, Minnesota.

"(D) $875,000 to establish the Center for Excellence in Project Finance.

"(3) Applicability of title 23.—Funds authorized by this section shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except that the Federal share shall be 100 percent.

"(e) Program Administration.—

"(1) Competition.—A party entering into a contract, cooperative agreement, or other transaction with the Secretary, or receiving a grant to perform research or provide technical assistance under subsections (d)(2)(A) and (d)(2)(D) shall be selected on a competitive basis, to the maximum extent practicable.

"(2) Strategic plan.—The Secretary shall require each center to develop a multiyear strategic plan that describes—

"(A) the activities to be undertaken; and

"(B) how the work of the center is coordinated with the activities of the Federal Highway Administration and the various other research, development, and technology transfer activities authorized by this title [see Tables for classification]. Such plans shall be submitted to the Secretary by January 1, 2006, and each year thereafter.

"SEC. 5310. DEFINITIONS.

"In this subtitle [subtitle C (§§5301–5310) of title V of Pub. L. 109–59, enacting this section and section 513 of this title], the following definitions apply:

"(1) Incident.—The term 'incident' means a crash, a natural disaster, workzone activity, special event, or other emergency road user occurrence that adversely affects or impedes the normal flow of traffic.

"(2) Intelligent transportation infrastructure.—The term 'intelligent transportation infrastructure' means fully integrated public sector intelligent transportation system components, as defined by the Secretary [of Transportation].

"(3) Intelligent transportation system.—The term 'intelligent transportation system' means electronics, photonics, communications, or information processing used singly or in combination to improve the efficiency or safety of a surface transportation system.

"(4) National architecture.—The term 'national architecture' means the common framework for interoperability that defines—

"(A) the functions associated with intelligent transportation system user services;

"(B) the physical entities or subsystems within which the functions reside;

"(C) the data interfaces and information flows between physical subsystems; and

"(D) the communications requirements associated with the information flows.

"(5) Project.—The term 'project' means an undertaking to research, develop, or operationally test intelligent transportation systems or any other undertaking eligible for assistance under this subtitle.

"(6) Standard.—The term 'standard' means a document that—

"(A) contains technical specifications or other precise criteria for intelligent transportation systems that are to be used consistently as rules, guidelines, or definitions of characteristics so as to ensure that materials, products, processes, and services are fit for their purposes; and

"(B) may support the national architecture and promote—

"(i) the widespread use and adoption of intelligent transportation system technology as a component of the surface transportation systems of the United States; and

"(ii) interoperability among intelligent transportation system technologies implemented throughout the States.

"(7) State.—The term 'State' has the meaning given the term under section 101 of title 23, United States Code.

"(8) Transportation systems management and operations.—The term 'transportation systems management and operations' has the meaning given the term under section 101(a) of title 23, United States Code [section 101(a) of this title does not define the term]."

Environmental Review of Activities That Support Deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems

Pub. L. 109–59, title VI, §6010, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1877, provided that:

"(a) Categorical Exclusions.—Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 2005], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall initiate a rulemaking process to establish, to the extent appropriate, categorical exclusions for activities that support the deployment of intelligent transportation infrastructure and systems from the requirement that an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement be prepared under section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332) in compliance with the standards for categorical exclusions established by that Act [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.].

"(b) Nationwide Programmatic Agreement.—

"(1) Development.—The Secretary [of Transportation] shall develop a nationwide programmatic agreement governing the review of activities that support the deployment of intelligent transportation infrastructure and systems in accordance with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act ([former] 16 U.S.C. 470f) [see 54 U.S.C. 306108] and the regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

"(2) Consultation.—The Secretary shall develop the agreement under paragraph (1) in consultation with the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation established under title II of the National Historic Preservation Act (26 [sic] U.S.C. 470i et seq. [former 16 U.S.C. 470i et seq., see 54 U.S.C. 304101 et seq.]) and after soliciting the views of other interested parties.

"(c) Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure and Systems Defined.—In this section, the term 'intelligent transportation infrastructure and systems' means intelligent transportation infrastructure and intelligent transportation systems, as such terms are defined in subtitle C of title V of this Act [subtitle C (§§5301–5310) of title V of Pub. L. 109–59, enacting this section and section 513 of this title and provisions set out as a note above]."
23 U.S.C. § 142 (2024) — Title 23: HIGHWAYS / Chapter 1: FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS / Section 142: Public transportation
Public transportation
Status: in_force

(a)(1) To encourage the development, improvement, and use of public mass transportation systems operating buses on Federal-aid highways for the transportation of passengers, so as to increase the traffic capacity of the Federal-aid highways for the movement of persons, the Secretary may approve as a project on any Federal-aid highway the construction of exclusive or preferential high occupancy vehicle lanes, highway traffic control devices, bus passenger loading areas and facilities (including shelters), and fringe and transportation corridor parking facilities, which may include electric vehicle charging stations or natural gas vehicle refueling stations, to serve high occupancy vehicle and public mass transportation passengers, and sums apportioned under section 104(b) of this title shall be available to finance the cost of projects under this paragraph. If fees are charged for the use of any parking facility constructed under this section, the rate thereof shall not be in excess of that required for maintenance and operation of the facility and the cost of providing shuttle service to and from the facility (including compensation to any person for operating the facility and for providing such shuttle service).

(2) In addition to the projects under paragraph (1), the Secretary may approve payment from sums apportioned under section 104(b)(2) for carrying out any capital transit project eligible for assistance under chapter 53 of title 49, capital improvement to provide access and coordination between intercity and rural bus service, and construction of facilities to provide connections between highway transportation and other modes of transportation.

(3) Bus corridors.—In addition to the projects described in paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary may approve payment from sums apportioned under paragraph (2) or (7) of section 104(b) for carrying out a capital project for the construction of a bus rapid transit corridor or dedicated bus lanes, including the construction or installation of—

(A) traffic signaling and prioritization systems;

(B) redesigned intersections that are necessary for the establishment of a bus rapid transit corridor;

(C) on-street stations;

(D) fare collection systems;

(E) information and wayfinding systems; and

(F) depots.

(b) Sums apportioned in accordance with section 104(b)(1) shall be available to finance the Federal share of projects for exclusive or preferential high occupancy vehicle, truck, and emergency vehicle routes or lanes. Routes constructed under this subsection shall not be subject to the third sentence of section 109(b) of this title.

(c) Accommodation of Other Modes of Transportation.—The Secretary may approve as a project on any Federal-aid highway for payment from sums apportioned under section 104(b) modifications to existing highways eligible under the program that is the source of the funds on such highway necessary to accommodate other modes of transportation if such modifications will not adversely affect automotive safety.

(d) Metropolitan Planning.—Any project carried out under this section in an urbanized area shall be subject to the metropolitan planning requirements of section 134.

(e)(1) For all purposes of this title, a project authorized by subsection (a)(1) of this section shall be deemed to be a highway project.

(2) Projects authorized by subsection (a)(2) shall be subject to, and governed in accordance with, all provisions of this title applicable to projects on the surface transportation block grant program, except to the extent determined inconsistent by the Secretary.

(3) The Federal share payable on account of projects authorized by subsection (a) of this section shall be that provided in section 120 of this title.

(f) Availability of Rights-of-Way.—In any case where sufficient land or air space exists within the publicly acquired rights-of-way of any highway, constructed in whole or in part with Federal-aid highway funds, to accommodate needed passenger, commuter, or high speed rail, magnetic levitation systems, and highway and nonhighway public mass transit facilities, the Secretary shall authorize a State to make such lands, air space, and rights-of-way available with or without charge to a publicly or privately owned authority or company or any other person for such purposes if such accommodation will not adversely affect automotive safety.

(g) The provision of assistance under subsection (a)(2) shall not be construed as bringing within the application of chapter 15 of title 5, United States Code, any non-supervisory employee of an urban mass transportation system (or of any other agency or entity performing related functions) to whom such chapter is otherwise inapplicable.

(h) Funds available for expenditure to carry out the purposes of subsection (a)(2) of this section shall be supplementary to and not in substitution for funds authorized and available for obligation pursuant to chapter 53 of title 49.

(Added Pub. L. 91–605, title I, §111(a), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1719; amended Pub. L. 93–87, title I, §121(a), Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 259; Pub. L. 94–280, title I, §127, May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 440; Pub. L. 97–424, title I, §120, Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2111; Pub. L. 102–240, title I, §1027(a)–(e), title III, §3003(b), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 1966, 2088; Pub. L. 103–272, §5(f)(2), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1374; Pub. L. 103–429, §7(a)(4)(C), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4389; Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §1103(l)(3)(D), (4), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 126; Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, §§1513(b), 1519(c)(8), formerly §1519(c)(9), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 572, 576, renumbered §1519(c)(8), Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, §1446(d)(5)(B), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1438; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, §§1109(c)(5), 1446(d)(5)(D), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1343, 1438; Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, §11130, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 509.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, §11130(a), added par. (3).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 117–58, §11130(b), struck out subsec. (i) which read as follows: "The provisions of section 5323(a)(1)(D) of title 49 shall apply in carrying out subsection (a)(2) of this section."

2015—Pub. L. 114–94, §1446(d)(5)(B), (D), amended Pub. L. 112–141, §1519(c). See 2012 Amendment notes below.

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 114–94, §1109(c)(5), substituted "surface transportation block grant program" for "surface transportation program".

2012—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 112–141, §§1513(b), 1519(c)(8)(A)(i), formerly §1519(c)(9)(A)(i), as renumbered and amended by Pub. L. 114–94, §1446(d)(5)(B), (D), substituted "buses" for "motor vehicles (other than on rail)", struck out "(hereafter in this section referred to as 'buses')" after "transportation of passengers", substituted "of the Federal-aid highways" for "of the Federal-aid systems" and "Federal-aid highway" for "Federal-aid system", and inserted ", which may include electric vehicle charging stations or natural gas vehicle refueling stations," after "parking facilities"..

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 112–141, §1519(c)(8)(A)(ii), formerly 1519(c)(9)(A)(ii), as renumbered by Pub. L. 114–94, §1446(d)(5)(B), struck out "as a project on the the surface transportation program for" after "Secretary may approve" and substituted "section 104(b)(2)" for "section 104(b)(3)".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–141, §1519(c)(8)(B), formerly 1519(c)(9)(B), as renumbered by Pub. L. 114–94, §1446(d)(5)(B), substituted "104(b)(1)" for "104(b)(4)".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–141, §1519(c)(8)(C), formerly 1519(c)(9)(C), as renumbered by Pub. L. 114–94, §1446(d)(5)(B), substituted "highway" for "system" in two places and substituted "highways eligible under the program that is the source of the funds" for "highway facilities".

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 112–141, §1519(c)(8)(D), formerly 1519(c)(9)(D), as renumbered by Pub. L. 114–94, §1446(d)(5)(B), substituted "Projects authorized by subsection (a)(2)" for "Notwithstanding section 209(f)(1) of the Highway Revenue Act of 1956, the Highway Trust Fund shall be available for making expenditures to meet obligations resulting from projects authorized by subsection (a)(2) of this section and such projects".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 112–141, §1519(c)(8)(E), formerly 1519(c)(9)(E), as renumbered by Pub. L. 114–94, §1446(d)(5)(B), substituted "exists" for "exits".

1998—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–178, §1103(l)(4), substituted "section 104(b)(4)" for "paragraph (5) of subsection (b) of section 104 of this title".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–178, §1103(l)(3)(D), struck out "(other than section 104(b)(5)(A))" after "section 104(b)".

1994—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 103–272, §5(f)(2)(A), substituted "chapter 53 of title 49" for "the Federal Transit Act".

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 103–272, §5(f)(2)(B), as amended by Pub. L. 103–429, §7(a)(4)(C), substituted "chapter 53 of title 49" for "the Federal Transit Act, as amended".

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 103–272, §5(f)(2)(C), as amended by Pub. L. 103–429, §7(a)(4)(C), substituted "section 5323(a)(1)(D) of title 49" for "section 3(e)(4) of the Federal Transit Act, as amended,".

1991—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 102–240, §1027(a), struck out ", beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975," after "the Secretary may", substituted "the surface transportation program" for "Federal-aid urban system," and substituted "104(b)(3) for carrying out any capital transit project eligible for assistance under the Federal Transit Act, capital improvement to provide access and coordination between intercity and rural bus service, and construction of facilities to provide connections between highway transportation and other modes of transportation." for "104(b)(6) of this title, the purchase of buses, and, beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, approve as a project on the Federal-aid urban system, for payment from sums apportioned under section 104(b)(6) of this title, the construction, reconstruction, and improvement of fixed rail facilities, including the purchase of rolling stock for fixed rail, except that not more than $200,000,000 of all sums apportioned for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, under section 104(b)(6) shall be available for the payment of the Federal share of projects for the purchase of buses."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–240, §1027(b), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: "Whenever responsible local officials of an urbanized area notify the State highway department that, in lieu of a highway project the Federal share of which is to be paid from funds apportioned under section 104(b)(6) of this title for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1974, and June 30, 1975, their needs require a nonhighway public mass transit project involving the construction of fixed rail facilities, or the purchase of passenger equipment, including rolling stock for any mode of mass transit, or both, and the State highway department determines that such public mass transit project is in accordance with the planning process under section 134 of this title and is entitled to priority under such planning process, such public mass transit project shall be submitted for approval to the Secretary. Approval of the plans, specifications, and estimates for such project by the Secretary shall be deemed a contractual obligation of the United States for payment out of the general funds of its proportional share of the cost of such project in an amount equal to the Federal share which would have been paid if such project were a highway project under section 120(a) of this title. Funds previously apportioned to such State under section 104(b)(6) of this title shall be reduced by an amount equal to such Federal share."

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–240, §1027(c), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: "The establishment of routes and schedules of such public mass transportation systems in urbanized areas shall be based upon a continuing comprehensive transportation planning process carried on in accordance with section 134 of this title."

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 102–240, §1027(e)(1), substituted "surface transportation program" for "Federal-aid urban system".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 102–240, §1027(e)(2), (3), redesignated subsec. (g) as (f) and struck out former subsec. (f) which read as follows: "No project authorized by this section shall be approved unless the Secretary of Transportation has received assurances satisfactory to him from the State that high occupancy vehicles will fully utilize the proposed project."

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 102–240, §1027(e)(3), (4), redesignated subsec. (h) as (g) and struck out "or subsection (c) of this section" after "(a)(2)". Former subsec. (g) redesignated (f).

Pub. L. 102–240, §1027(d), amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (g) read as follows: "In any case where sufficient land exists within the publicly acquired rights-of-way of any Federal-aid highway to accommodate needed rail or non-highway public mass transit facilities and where this can be accomplished without impairing automotive safety or future highway improvements, the Administrator may authorize a State to make such lands and rights-of-way available without charge to a publicly owned mass transit authority for such purposes wherever he may deem that the public interest will be served thereby."

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 102–240, §3003(b), substituted "Federal Transit Act" for "Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964".

Pub. L. 102–240, §1027(e)(3), (5), redesignated subsec. (i) as (h) and struck out "and subsection (c)" after "(a)(2)". Former subsec. (h) redesignated (g).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 102–240, §3003(b), substituted "Federal Transit Act" for "Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964".

Pub. L. 102–240, §1027(e)(3), (5), redesignated subsec. (j) as (i) and struck out "and subsection (c)" after "(a)(2)". Former subsec. (i) redesignated (h).

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 102–240, §1027(e)(3), redesignated subsec. (j) as (i).

Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 102–240, §1027(e)(2), struck out subsec. (k) which read as follows: "The Secretary shall not approve any project under subsection (a)(2) of this section in any fiscal year when there has been enacted an Urban Transportation Trust Fund or similar assured funding for both highway and public transportation."

1983—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 97–424, §120(a), inserted "and the cost of providing shuttle service to and from the facility" after "of the facility", and "and for providing such shuttle service" after "operating the facility".

Pub. L. 97–424, §120(b)(1), substituted "high occupancy vehicle lanes" for "bus lanes" after "preferential", and "high occupancy vehicle and" for "bus and other" after "facilities to serve".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–424, §120(b)(2), substituted "high occupancy vehicle" for "bus" after "preferential".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 97–424, §120(b)(3), substituted "high occupancy vehicles" for "public mass transportation systems".

1976—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 94–280, §127(a), inserted provision that if fees are charged for the use of any parking facility constructed under this section, the rate thereof shall not be in excess of that required for maintenance and operation of the facility (including compensation to any person for operating the facility).

Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 94–280, §127(b), substituted "section 120 of this title" for "section 120 of this section".

1973—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93–87 designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted "operating motor vehicles (other than on rail) on Federal-aid highways" for "operating motor vehicles on highways, other than on rails", struck out "within urbanized areas" after " 'buses')", inserted "for the movement of persons" after "Federal-aid systems", and substituted provisions respecting availability of sums apportioned under section 104(b) of this title for prior provisions for such sums apportioned in accordance with pars. (3), (5), and (6) of section 104(b) of this title, and added par. (2).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 93–87 added subsec. (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (d).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 93–87 added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) incorporated in subsec. (e)(1), (3) of this section.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 93–87 redesignated former subsec. (b) as (d), inserted "in urbanized areas" after "transportation systems", and struck out former subsec. (d) provisions which prohibited any project authorized by this section, other than a project for fringe or transportation parking facilities, from being approved unless the project would avoid the construction of a highway project which increases automobile traffic capacity, would provide a capacity for the movement of persons at least equal to that which would be provided by the avoided highway project, and would not exceed in the amount of the Federal share, the Federal share of the cost of the avoided highway project; or no other feasible or prudent highway project could provide the additional capacity for the movement of persons by motor vehicles on highways (other than on rails) provided by this project.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 93–87 incorporated provisions of former subsec. (c) in pars. (1) and (3) and added par. (2). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 93–87 redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f) and substituted "will fully utilize" for "will have adequate capability to fully utilize".

Subsecs. (g) to (k). Pub. L. 93–87 added subsecs. (g) to (k).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Except as otherwise provided, amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, §1446(d), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1438, provided that the amendment made by section 1446(d)(5)(B), (D) is effective as of July 6, 2012, and as if included in Pub. L. 112–141 as enacted.

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–429, §7(a), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4388, provided in part that the amendment made by section 7(a)(4)(C) is effective July 5, 1994.

Effective Date of 1991 Amendment

Amendment by section 1027 of Pub. L. 102–240 effective Dec. 18, 1991, and applicable to funds authorized to be appropriated or made available after Sept. 30, 1991, and, with certain exceptions, not applicable to funds appropriated or made available on or before Sept. 30, 1991, see section 1100 of Pub. L. 102–240, set out as a note under section 104 of this title.

Rural Highway Transportation Demonstration Program; Appropriations Authorization; Public Notice and Hearing

Pub. L. 93–87, title I, §147, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 274, as amended by Pub. L. 93–643, §103, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2282; Pub. L. 94–280, title I, §129, May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 440; Pub. L. 95–599, title I, §132, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2708, provided for authorization of appropriations of $15,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and $60,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, to carry out demonstration projects for public mass transportation projects in rural and small urban areas, authorized availability of such sums for a period of two years after the close of the fiscal year for which authorized, and required public notice and hearing for such projects.

Transportation for Elderly and Handicapped Persons

Pub. L. 93–643, §105(a), Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2282, provided that: "It is hereby declared to be the national policy that elderly and handicapped persons have the same right as other persons to utilize mass transportation facilities and services; that special efforts shall be made in the planning, design, construction, and operation of mass transportation facilities and services so that the availability to elderly and handicapped persons of mass transportation which they can effectively utilize will be assured; and that all Federal programs offering assistance for mass transportation (including the programs under title 23, United States Code, the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973, and this Act [see Short Title of 1973 Amendment note under 101 of this title]) effectively implement this policy."

Bus and Other Project Standards

Pub. L. 93–87, title I, §165, Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 282, as amended by Pub. L. 93–643, §105(b), Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2283, provided that:

"(a) The Secretary of Transportation shall require that buses acquired with Federal financial assistance under (1) subsection (a) or (c) of section 142 of title 23, United States Code, (2) paragraph (4) of [former] subsection (e) of section 103, title 23, United States Code, or (3) section 147 of the Federal-aid [Federal-Aid] Highway Act of 1973 [set out as a note above] meet the standards prescribed by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under section 202 of the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7521], and under section 6 of the Noise Control Act of 1972 [42 U.S.C. 4905], and shall authorize the acquisition, wherever practicable, of buses which meet the special criteria for low-emission vehicles set forth in section 212 of the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7546], and for low-noise-emission products set forth in section 15 of the Noise Control Act of 1972 [42 U.S.C. 4914].

"(b) The Secretary of Transportation shall require that projects receiving Federal financial assistance under (1) subsection (a) or (c) of section 142 of title 23, United States Code, (2) paragraph (4) of [former] subsection (e) of section 103, title 23, United States Code, or (3) section 147 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 shall be planned, designed, constructed, and operated to allow effective utilization by elderly or handicapped persons who, by reason of illness, injury, age, congenital malfunction, or other permanent or temporary incapacity or disability, including those who are nonambulatory wheelchair-bound and those with semiambulatory capabilities, are unable without special facilities or special planning or design to utilize such facilities and services effectively. The Secretary shall not approve any program or project to which this section applies which does not comply with the provisions of this subsection requiring access to public mass transportation facilities, equipment, and services for elderly or handicapped persons."
23 U.S.C. § 157 (2024) — Title 23: HIGHWAYS / Chapter 1: FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS / Section 157: National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 reporting program
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 reporting program
Status: in_force

(a) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Categorical exclusion.—The term "categorical exclusion" has the meaning given the term in section 771.117(c) of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).

(2) Documented categorical exclusion.—The term "documented categorical exclusion" has the meaning given the term in section 771.117(d) of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).

(3) Environmental assessment.—The term "environmental assessment" has the meaning given the term in section 1508.1 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).

(4) Environmental impact statement.—The term "environmental impact statement" means a detailed statement required under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).

(5) Federal agency.—The term "Federal agency" includes a State that has assumed responsibility under section 327.

(6) NEPA process.—The term "NEPA process" means the entirety of the development and documentation of the analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), including the assessment and analysis of any impacts, alternatives, and mitigation of a proposed action, and any interagency participation and public involvement required to be carried out before the Secretary undertakes a proposed action.

(7) Proposed action.—The term "proposed action" means an action (within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)) under this title that the Secretary proposes to carry out.

(8) Reporting period.—The term "reporting period" means the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which a report is issued under subsection (b).

(9) Secretary.—The term "Secretary" includes the governor or head of an applicable State agency of a State that has assumed responsibility under section 327.

(b) Report on NEPA Data.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall carry out a process to track, and annually submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report containing, the information described in paragraph (3).

(2) Time to complete.—For purposes of paragraph (3), the NEPA process—

(A) for an environmental impact statement—

(i) begins on the date on which the Notice of Intent is published in the Federal Register; and

(ii) ends on the date on which the Secretary issues a record of decision, including, if necessary, a revised record of decision; and

(B) for an environmental assessment—

(i) begins on the date on which the Secretary makes a determination to prepare an environmental assessment; and

(ii) ends on the date on which the Secretary issues a finding of no significant impact or determines that preparation of an environmental impact statement is necessary.

(3) Information described.—The information referred to in paragraph (1) is, with respect to the Department of Transportation—

(A) the number of proposed actions for which a categorical exclusion was issued during the reporting period;

(B) the number of proposed actions for which a documented categorical exclusion was issued by the Department of Transportation during the reporting period;

(C) the number of proposed actions pending on the date on which the report is submitted for which the issuance of a documented categorical exclusion by the Department of Transportation is pending;

(D) the number of proposed actions for which an environmental assessment was issued by the Department of Transportation during the reporting period;

(E) the length of time the Department of Transportation took to complete each environmental assessment described in subparagraph (D);

(F) the number of proposed actions pending on the date on which the report is submitted for which an environmental assessment is being drafted by the Department of Transportation;

(G) the number of proposed actions for which an environmental impact statement was completed by the Department of Transportation during the reporting period;

(H) the length of time that the Department of Transportation took to complete each environmental impact statement described in subparagraph (G);

(I) the number of proposed actions pending on the date on which the report is submitted for which an environmental impact statement is being drafted; and

(J) for the proposed actions reported under subparagraphs (F) and (I), the percentage of those proposed actions for which—

(i) funding has been identified; and

(ii) all other Federal, State, and local activities that are required to allow the proposed action to proceed are completed.

(Added Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, §11312(a), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 538.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (a)(6), (7), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 157, added Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §1403(a), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 237; amended Pub. L. 108–88, §6(a)(1), Sept. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 1119; Pub. L. 108–202, §6(a), Feb. 29, 2004, 118 Stat. 483; Pub. L. 108–224, §5(a), Apr. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 632; Pub. L. 108–263, §5(a), June 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 703; Pub. L. 108–280, §5(a), July 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 881; Pub. L. 108–310, §6(a)(1), Sept. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 1152; Pub. L. 109–14, §5(a)(1), May 31, 2005, 119 Stat. 329; Pub. L. 109–20, §5(a)(1), July 1, 2005, 119 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 109–35, §5(a)(1), July 20, 2005, 119 Stat. 384; Pub. L. 109–37, §5(a)(1), July 22, 2005, 119 Stat. 399; Pub. L. 109–40, §5(a)(1), July 28, 2005, 119 Stat. 415; Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1406, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1231, related to safety incentive grants for use of seat belts, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–141, §3(a), div. A, title I, §1519(b)(1)(A), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 413, 575, effective Oct. 1, 2012.

Another prior section 157, added Pub. L. 97–424, title I, §150(a), Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2131; amended Pub. L. 99–272, title IV, §4102(f), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 113; Pub. L. 100–17, title I, §§105(h), 124, Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 144, 164; Pub. L. 102–240, title I, §§1002(h), 1013(a), (b), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 1918, 1940; Pub. L. 103–272, §5(f)(3), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1374, related to minimum allocations to States, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §1403(a), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 237.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as an Effective Date of 2021 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.
23 U.S.C. § 165 (2024) — Title 23: HIGHWAYS / Chapter 1: FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS / Section 165: Territorial and Puerto Rico highway program
Territorial and Puerto Rico highway program
Status: in_force

(a) Division of Funds.—Of funds made available in a fiscal year for the territorial and Puerto Rico highway program—

(1) for the Puerto Rico highway program under subsection (b)—

(A) $173,010,000 shall be for fiscal year 2022;

(B) $176,960,000 shall be for fiscal year 2023;

(C) $180,120,000 shall be for fiscal year 2024;

(D) $183,675,000 shall be for fiscal year 2025; and

(E) $187,230,000 shall be for fiscal year 2026; and

(2) for the territorial highway program under subsection (c)—

(A) $45,990,000 shall be for fiscal year 2022;

(B) $47,040,000 shall be for fiscal year 2023;

(C) $47,880,000 shall be for fiscal year 2024;

(D) $48,825,000 shall be for fiscal year 2025; and

(E) $49,770,000 shall be for fiscal year 2026.

(b) Puerto Rico Highway Program.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall allocate funds made available to carry out this subsection to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to carry out a highway program in the Commonwealth.

(2) Treatment of funds.—Amounts made available to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year shall be administered as follows:

(A) Apportionment.—

(i) In general.—For the purpose of imposing any penalty under this title or title 49, the amounts shall be treated as being apportioned to Puerto Rico under sections 104(b) and 144 (as in effect for fiscal year 1997) for each program funded under those sections in an amount determined by multiplying—

(I) the aggregate of the amounts for the fiscal year; by

(II) the proportion that—

(aa) the amount of funds apportioned to Puerto Rico for each such program for fiscal year 1997; bears to

(bb) the total amount of funds apportioned to Puerto Rico for all such programs for fiscal year 1997.

(ii) Exception.—Funds identified under clause (i) as having been apportioned for the national highway system, the surface transportation block grant program, and the Interstate maintenance program shall be deemed to have been apportioned 50 percent for the national highway performance program and 50 percent for the surface transportation program for purposes of imposing such penalties.

(B) Penalty.—The amounts treated as being apportioned to Puerto Rico under each section referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be deemed to be required to be apportioned to Puerto Rico under that section for purposes of the imposition of any penalty under this title or title 49.

(C) Eligible uses of funds.—Of amounts allocated to Puerto Rico for the Puerto Rico Highway Program for a fiscal year—

(i) at least 50 percent shall be available only for purposes eligible under section 119;

(ii) at least 25 percent shall be available only for purposes eligible under section 148; and

(iii) any remaining funds may be obligated for activities eligible under chapter 1 and preventative maintenance on the National Highway System.

(3) Effect on apportionments.—Except as otherwise specifically provided, Puerto Rico shall not be eligible to receive funds apportioned to States under this title.

(c) Territorial Highway Program.—

(1) Territory defined.—In this subsection, the term "territory" means any of the following territories of the United States:

(A) American Samoa.

(B) The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(C) Guam.

(D) The United States Virgin Islands.

(2) Program.—

(A) In general.—Recognizing the mutual benefits that will accrue to the territories and the United States from the improvement of highways in the territories, the Secretary may carry out a program to assist each government of a territory in the construction and improvement of a system of arterial and collector highways, and necessary inter-island connectors, that is—

(i) designated by the Governor or chief executive officer of each territory; and

(ii) approved by the Secretary.

(B) Federal share.—The Federal share of Federal financial assistance provided to territories under this subsection shall be in accordance with section 120(g).

(3) Technical assistance.—

(A) In general.—To continue a long-range highway development program, the Secretary may provide technical assistance to the governments of the territories to enable the territories, on a continuing basis—

(i) to engage in highway planning;

(ii) to conduct environmental evaluations;

(iii) to administer right-of-way acquisition and relocation assistance programs; and

(iv) to design, construct, operate, and maintain a system of arterial and collector highways, including necessary inter-island connectors.

(B) Form and terms of assistance.—Technical assistance provided under subparagraph (A), and the terms for the sharing of information among territories receiving the technical assistance, shall be included in the agreement required by paragraph (5).

(4) Nonapplicability of certain provisions.—

(A) In general.—Except to the extent that provisions of this chapter are determined by the Secretary to be inconsistent with the needs of the territories and the intent of this subsection, this chapter (other than provisions of this chapter relating to the apportionment and allocation of funds) shall apply to funds made available under this subsection.

(B) Applicable provisions.—The agreement required by paragraph (5) for each territory shall identify the sections of this chapter that are applicable to that territory and the extent of the applicability of those sections.

(5) Agreement.—

(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (D), none of the funds made available under this subsection shall be available for obligation or expenditure with respect to any territory until the chief executive officer of the territory has entered into an agreement (including an agreement entered into under section 215 as in effect on the day before the enactment of this section) with the Secretary providing that the government of the territory shall—

(i) implement the program in accordance with applicable provisions of this chapter and paragraph (4);

(ii) design and construct a system of arterial and collector highways, including necessary inter-island connectors, in accordance with standards that are—

(I) appropriate for each territory; and

(II) approved by the Secretary;

(iii) provide for the maintenance of facilities constructed or operated under this subsection in a condition to adequately serve the needs of present and future traffic; and

(iv) implement standards for traffic operations and uniform traffic control devices that are approved by the Secretary.

(B) Technical assistance.—The agreement required by subparagraph (A) shall—

(i) specify the kind of technical assistance to be provided under the program;

(ii) include appropriate provisions regarding information sharing among the territories; and

(iii) delineate the oversight role and responsibilities of the territories and the Secretary.

(C) Review and revision of agreement.—The agreement entered into under subparagraph (A) shall be reevaluated and, as necessary, revised, at least every 2 years.

(D) Existing agreements.—With respect to an agreement under this subsection or an agreement entered into under section 215 of this title as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this subsection—

(i) the agreement shall continue in force until replaced by an agreement entered into in accordance with subparagraph (A); and

(ii) amounts made available under this subsection under the existing agreement shall be available for obligation or expenditure so long as the agreement, or the existing agreement entered into under subparagraph (A), is in effect.

(6) Eligible uses of funds.—

(A) In general.—Funds made available under this subsection may be used only for the following projects and activities carried out in a territory:

(i) Eligible surface transportation block grant program projects described in section 133(b).

(ii) Cost-effective, preventive maintenance consistent with section 116(e).

(iii) Ferry boats, terminal facilities, and approaches, in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of section 129.

(iv) Engineering and economic surveys and investigations for the planning, and the financing, of future highway programs.

(v) Studies of the economy, safety, and convenience of highway use.

(vi) The regulation and equitable taxation of highway use.

(vii) Such research and development as are necessary in connection with the planning, design, and maintenance of the highway system.

(B) Prohibition on use of funds for routine maintenance.—None of the funds made available under this subsection shall be obligated or expended for routine maintenance.

(7) Location of projects.—Territorial highway program projects (other than those described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (5) of section 133(c) and section 133(b)(13)) may not be undertaken on roads functionally classified as local.

(Added Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1120(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1191; amended Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, §1114(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 464; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title I, §§1109(c)(5), 1115, 1446(a)(11), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1343, 1349, 1438; Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, §11126, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 506.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 215 as in effect on the day before the enactment of this section and section 215 of this title as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (c)(5)(A), (D), probably mean section 215 of this title as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of Pub. L. 112–141, which was approved July 6, 2012, and which amended this section generally and repealed section 215.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–58, §11126(1), added pars. (1) and (2) and struck out former pars. (1) and (2) which read as follows:

"(1) $158,000,000 shall be for the Puerto Rico highway program under subsection (b); and

"(2) $42,000,000 shall be for the territorial highway program under subsection (c)."

Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 117–58, §11126(2), inserted "and preventative maintenance on the National Highway System" after "chapter 1".

Subsec. (c)(7). Pub. L. 117–58, §11126(3), substituted "paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (5) of section 133(c) and section 133(b)(13)" for "paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 133(c) and section 133(b)(12)".

2015—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–94, §1115(1), substituted "$158,000,000" for "$150,000,000".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 114–94, §1115(2), substituted "$42,000,000" for "$40,000,000".

Subsecs. (b)(2)(A)(ii), (c)(6)(A)(i). Pub. L. 114–94, §1109(c)(5), substituted "surface transportation block grant program" for "surface transportation program".

Subsec. (c)(7). Pub. L. 114–94, §1446(a)(11), substituted "paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 133(c) and section 133(b)(12)" for "paragraphs (2), (4), (7), (8), (14), and (19) of section 133(b)".

2012—Pub. L. 112–141 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to Puerto Rico highway program.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.
23 U.S.C. § 604 (2024) — Title 23: HIGHWAYS / Chapter 6: INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE / Section 604: Lines of credit
Lines of credit
Status: in_force

(a) In General.—

(1) Agreements.—Subject to paragraphs (2) through (4), the Secretary may enter into agreements to make available to 1 or more obligors lines of credit in the form of direct loans to be made by the Secretary at future dates on the occurrence of certain events for any project selected under section 602.

(2) Use of proceeds.—The proceeds of a line of credit made available under this section shall be available to pay debt service on project obligations issued to finance eligible project costs, extraordinary repair and replacement costs, operation and maintenance expenses, and costs associated with unexpected Federal or State environmental restrictions.

(3) Risk assessment.—Before entering into an agreement under this subsection, the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and each rating agency providing a preliminary rating opinion letter under section 602(b)(3), shall determine an appropriate capital reserve subsidy amount for each line of credit, taking into account the rating opinion letter.

(4) Investment-grade rating requirement.—The funding of a line of credit under this section shall be contingent on the senior obligations of the project receiving an investment-grade rating from 2 rating agencies.

(b) Terms and Limitations.—

(1) In general.—A line of credit under this section with respect to a project shall be on such terms and conditions and contain such covenants, representations, warranties, and requirements (including requirements for audits) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(2) Maximum amounts.—The total amount of a line of credit under this section shall not exceed 33 percent of the reasonably anticipated eligible project costs.

(3) Draws.—Any draw on a line of credit under this section shall—

(A) represent a direct loan; and

(B) be made only if net revenues from the project (including capitalized interest, but not including reasonably required financing reserves) are insufficient to pay the costs specified in subsection (a)(2).

(4) Interest rate.—Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 603(b)(4), the interest rate on a direct loan resulting from a draw on the line of credit shall be not less than the yield on 30-year United States Treasury securities, as of the date of execution of the line of credit agreement.

(5) Security.—A line of credit issued under this section—

(A) shall—

(i) be payable, in whole or in part, from—

(I) tolls;

(II) user fees;

(III) payments owing to the obligor under a public-private partnership; or

(IV) other dedicated revenue sources that also secure the senior project obligations; and

(ii) include a rate covenant, coverage requirement, or similar security feature supporting the project obligations; and

(B) may have a lien on revenues described in subparagraph (A), subject to any lien securing project obligations.

(6) Period of availability.—The full amount of a line of credit under this section, to the extent not drawn upon, shall be available during the 10-year period beginning on the date of substantial completion of the project.

(7) Rights of third-party creditors.—

(A) Against federal government.—A third-party creditor of the obligor shall not have any right against the Federal Government with respect to any draw on a line of credit under this section.

(B) Assignment.—An obligor may assign a line of credit under this section to—

(i) 1 or more lenders; or

(ii) a trustee on the behalf of such a lender.

(8) Nonsubordination.—

(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a direct loan under this section shall not be subordinated to the claims of any holder of project obligations in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or liquidation of the obligor.

(B) Pre-existing indenture.—

(i) In general.—The Secretary shall waive the requirement of subparagraph (A) for a public agency borrower that is financing ongoing capital programs and has outstanding senior bonds under a preexisting indenture, if—

(I) the line of credit is rated in the A category or higher;

(II) the TIFIA program loan resulting from a draw on the line of credit is payable from pledged revenues not affected by project performance, such as a tax-backed revenue pledge or a system-backed pledge of project revenues; and

(III) the TIFIA program share of eligible project costs is 33 percent or less.

(ii) Limitation.—If the Secretary waives the nonsubordination requirement under this subparagraph—

(I) the maximum credit subsidy to be paid by the Federal Government shall be not more than 10 percent of the principal amount of the secured loan; and

(II) the obligor shall be responsible for paying the remainder of the subsidy cost.

(9) Fees.—The Secretary may establish fees at a level sufficient to cover all or a portion of the costs to the Federal Government of providing a line of credit under this section.

(10) Relationship to other credit instruments.—A project that receives a line of credit under this section also shall not receive a secured loan or loan guarantee under section 603 in an amount that, combined with the amount of the line of credit, exceeds 49 percent of eligible project costs.

(c) Repayment.—

(1) Terms and conditions.—The Secretary shall establish repayment terms and conditions for each direct loan under this section based on—

(A) the projected cash flow from project revenues and other repayment sources; and

(B) the useful life of the asset being financed.

(2) Timing.—All repayments of principal or interest on a direct loan under this section shall be scheduled—

(A) to commence not later than 5 years after the end of the period of availability specified in subsection (b)(6); and

(B) to conclude, with full repayment of principal and interest, by the date that is 25 years after the end of the period of availability specified in subsection (b)(6).

(Added Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §1503(a), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 247, §184; renumbered §604 and amended Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §§1601(e), 1602(b)(4), (d), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1241, 1247; Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title II, §2002, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 617.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2012—Pub. L. 112–141 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to lines of credit.

2005—Pub. L. 109–59, §1602(d), renumbered section 184 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–59, §1602(b)(4)(A), substituted "602" for "182".

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 109–59, §1602(b)(4)(B), substituted "602(b)(2)(B)" for "182(b)(2)(B)".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, §1601(e)(1)(A), added par. (2) and struck out heading and text of former par. (2). Text read as follows:

"(A) Total amount.—The total amount of the line of credit shall not exceed 33 percent of the reasonably anticipated eligible project costs.

"(B) 1-year draws.—The amount drawn in any 1 year shall not exceed 20 percent of the total amount of the line of credit."

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 109–59, §1601(e)(1)(B), substituted "but not including reasonably required financing reserves" for ", any debt service reserve fund, and any other available reserve".

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 109–59, §1601(e)(1)(C), struck out "marketable" before "United States Treasury securities" and substituted "date of execution of the line of credit agreement" for "date on which the line of credit is obligated".

Subsec. (b)(5)(A)(i). Pub. L. 109–59, §1601(e)(1)(D), inserted "that also secure the senior project obligations" after "sources".

Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 109–59, §1601(e)(1)(E), substituted "The full amount of the line of credit, to the extent not drawn upon," for "The line of credit".

Subsec. (b)(10). Pub. L. 109–59, §1602(b)(4)(C), substituted "603" for "183".

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, §1601(e)(2)(A), struck out "scheduled" before "repayments", inserted "be scheduled to" after "shall", and substituted "to conclude, with full repayment of principal and interest," for "be fully repaid, with interest,".

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 109–59, §1601(e)(2)(B), struck out heading and text of par. (3). Text read as follows: "The sources of funds for scheduled loan repayments under this section shall include tolls, user fees, or other dedicated revenue sources."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.
23 U.S.C. § 115 (2024) — Title 23: HIGHWAYS / Chapter 1: FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS / Section 115: Advance construction
Advance construction
Status: in_force

(a) In General.—The Secretary may authorize a State to proceed with a project authorized under this title—

(1) without the use of Federal funds; and

(2) in accordance with all procedures and requirements applicable to the project other than those procedures and requirements that limit the State to implementation of a project—

(A) with the aid of Federal funds previously apportioned or allocated to the State; or

(B) with obligation authority previously allocated to the State.

(b) Obligation of Federal Share.—The Secretary, on the request of a State and execution of a project agreement, may obligate all or a portion of the Federal share of a project authorized to proceed under this section from any category of funds for which the project is eligible.

(c) Inclusion in Transportation Improvement Program.—The Secretary may approve an application for a project under this section only if the project is included in the transportation improvement program of the State developed under section 135(g).

(Pub. L. 85–767, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 896; Pub. L. 90–495, §25(a), (b), Aug. 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 828, 829; Pub. L. 93–643, §111, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2285; Pub. L. 96–106, §4, Nov. 9, 1979, 93 Stat. 797; Pub. L. 97–424, title I, §113, Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2106; Pub. L. 100–17, title I, §113(a)–(d)(1), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 149, 150; Pub. L. 102–302, §103, June 22, 1992, 106 Stat. 252; Pub. L. 104–59, title III, §308, Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 582; Pub. L. 105–178, title I, §§1103(l)(3)(A), 1106(c)(1)(A), 1226(a), title V, §5119(d), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 126, 136, 452; Pub. L. 105–206, title IX, §9003(a), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 837; Pub. L. 109–59, title I, §1501(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1235; Pub. L. 110–244, title I, §101(j), June 6, 2008, 122 Stat. 1574; Pub. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, §11525(e), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 607.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–58 substituted "section 135(g)" for "section 135(f)".

2008—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 110–244 redesignated subsec. (d) as (c).

2005—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 109–59, §1501(a)(2), added subsecs. (a) and (b) and struck out former subsecs. (a) and (b), which related to payment of the Federal share of the cost of congestion mitigation and air quality improvement, surface transportation, bridge, planning, and research projects and Interstate and National Highway System projects which have been subject to advance construction by a State.

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 109–59, §1501(a)(1), redesignated subsec. (c) as (d).

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–178, §1106(c)(1)(A)(i), struck out "Substitute," before "Congestion" in heading.

Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i). Pub. L. 105–178, §§1106(c)(1)(A)(ii), 5119(d), struck out "103(e)(4)(H)," after "under section" and substituted "or 505" for "or 307".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–178, §1226(a)(1), as added by Pub. L. 105–206, §9003(a), struck out designation and heading of par. (1), redesignated subpars. (A) and (B) as pars. (1) and (2), respectively, realigned margins, and struck out former pars. (2) and (3), which related to bond interest for projects under construction on Jan. 1, 1983, and directed that Federal share of cost of construction would include amount of bond interest but not in excess of estimated costs over actual costs.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 105–178, §1103(l)(3)(A), substituted "104(b)(4)" for "104(b)(5)".

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 105–178, §1226(a)(2), (3), as added by Pub. L. 105–206, §9003(a), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (c). Text read as follows: "In determining the apportionment for any fiscal year under the provisions of section 103(e)(4), 104, 134, 144,, or 307 of this title, any such project constructed by a State without the aid of Federal funds shall not be considered completed until an application under the provisions of this section with respect to such project has been approved by the Secretary."

1995—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–59 amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows:

"(d) Limitation on Advanced Funding.—The Secretary may not approve an application under this section unless an authorization for section 103(e)(4), 104, 144, or 307 of this title, as the case may be, is in effect for the fiscal year for which the application is sought beyond the currently authorized funds for each State. No applications may be approved which will exceed the State's expected apportionment of such authorizations."

1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–302, §103(1), in heading substituted "Substitute, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement, Surface Transportation, Bridge, Planning, and Research Projects" for "Substitute, Urban, Secondary, Bridge, Planning, Research, and Safety Construction Projects".

Subsec. (a)(1)(A)(i). Pub. L. 102–302, §103(2)(A), added cl. (i) and struck out former cl. (i) which read as follows: "has obligated all funds apportioned or allocated to it under section 103(e)(4)(H), section 104(b)(2), section 104(b)(6), section 104(f), section 130, section 144, section 152, or section 307 of this title, or".

Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 102–302, §103(2)(B), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: "prior to commencement of the project the Secretary approves the plans and specifications therefor in the same manner as other projects, and".

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 102–302, §103(2)(C), struck out par. (3) which read as follows: "Limitation with respect to currently authorized funds.—The Secretary may not approve an application under this section unless an authorization for section 103(e)(4), 104, 130, 144, 152, or 307 of this title, as the case may be, is in effect for the fiscal year for which the application is sought beyond the currently authorized funds for such State. No application may be approved which will exceed the State's expected apportionment of such authorizations. This paragraph shall have no effect during the period beginning January 1, 1987, and ending September 30, 1990."

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–302, §103(3), (4), in heading substituted "National Highway System" for "Primary" and in par. (1) substituted "National Highway System" for "Federal-aid primary system".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–302, §103(5), struck out "152" after "144,".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–302, §103(6), added subsec. (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which read as follows: "Limitation on Advanced Funding for Fiscal Years 1987–1990.—The Secretary may not approve an application of a State under this section with respect to a project with funds apportioned, or currently authorized to be apportioned, under section 103(e)(4)(H), 104, 130, 144, 152, or 307 if the amount of approved applications with respect to such projects exceeds the total of unobligated funds apportioned or allocated to the State under such section, plus such State's expected apportionment under such section from existing authorizations plus an amount equal to such State's expected apportionment under such section (other than section 104(b)(5)(A)) for one additional fiscal year. This subsection shall only be effective during the period beginning January 1, 1987, and ending September 30, 1990."

1987—Pub. L. 100–17, §113(d)(1)(A), substituted "Advance construction" for "Construction by States in advance of apportionment" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–17, §113(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows:

"(1) When a State has obligated all funds apportioned or allocated to it under section 103(e)(4), 104, or 144 of this title, other than Interstate funds, and proceeds to construct any highway substitute, Federal-aid system, or bridge project, respectively, other than an Interstate project funded under section 104(b)(5) of this title, without the aid of Federal funds in accordance with all procedures and all requirements applicable to such a project, except insofar as such procedures and requirements limit a State to the construction of projects with the aid of Federal funds previously apportioned to it, the Secretary, upon application by such State and his approval of such application, is authorized to pay to such State the Federal share of the costs of construction of such project when additional funds are apportioned to such State under section 103(e)(4), 104, or 144, respectively, of this title if—

"(A) prior to the construction of the project the Secretary approves the plans and specifications therefor in the same manner as other projects, and

"(B) the project conforms to the applicable standards adopted under section 109 of this title.

"(2) The Secretary may not approve an application under this section unless an authorization for section 103(e)(4), 104, or 144 of this title, as the case may be, is in effect for the fiscal year for which the application is sought beyond the currently authorized funds for such State. No application may be approved which will exceed the State's expected apportionment of such authorizations."

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–17, §113(b), inserted heading.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100–17, §113(b), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: "When a State proceeds to construct any project on the Interstate System without the aid of Federal funds, as that System may be designated at that time, in accordance with all procedures and all requirements applicable to projects on such System, except insofar as such procedures and requirements limit a State to the construction of projects with the aid of Federal funds previously apportioned to it, the Secretary, upon application by such State and his approval of such application, is authorized to pay to such State the Federal share of the cost of construction of such project when additional funds are apportioned to such State under section 104 of this title if—

"(A) prior to the construction of the project the Secretary approves the plans and specifications therefor in the same manner as other projects on the Interstate System, and

"(B) the project conforms to the applicable standards under section 109 of this title."

Subsec. (b)(2), (3). Pub. L. 100–17, §113(d)(1)(B)–(D), inserted headings and aligned pars. (2) and (3) with par. (1), as amended.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–17, §113(d)(1)(E), (F), inserted heading and substituted "134, 144, 152, or 307" for "or 144".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–17, §113(c), added subsec. (d).

1983—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–424, §113(c), designated existing provisions as pars. (1) and (2) and designated former pars. (1) and (2) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, of par. (1); in par. (1) as so redesignated, substituted "When a State has obligated all funds appropriated or allocated to it under section 103(e)(4), 104, or 144 of this title, other than "interstate funds, and proceeds to construct any highway substitute, Federal-aid system, or bridge project, respectively, other than an Interstate project funded under section 104(b)(5) of this title, without the aid of Federal funds in accordance with all procedures and all requirements applicable to such a project, except insofar as such procedures and requirements limit a State to the construction of projects with the aid of Federal funds previously apportioned to it, the Secretary, upon application by such State and his approval of such application, is authorized to pay to such State the Federal share of the costs of construction of such project when additional funds are apportioned to such State under section 103(e)(4), 104, or 144, respectively, of this title if—", for "When a State has obligated all funds for any of the Federal-aid systems, other than the Interstate System, apportioned to it under section 104 of this title, and proceeds to construct any project without the aid of Federal funds, including one or more parts of any project, on any of the Federal-aid systems in such State, other than the Interstate System, as any of those systems may be designated at that time, in accordance with all procedures and all requirements applicable to projects on any such system, except insofar as such procedures and requirements limit a State to the construction of projects with the aid of Federal funds previously apportioned to it, the Secretary, upon application by such State and his approval of such application, is authorized to pay to such State the Federal share of the costs of construction of such project when additional funds are apportioned to such State under section 104 of this title if—"; in subpar. (A) thereof struck out "on the Federal-aid system involved" after "other projects"; and in par. (2) as so designated inserted "for section 103(e)(4), 104, or 144 of this title, as the case may be," after "unless authorization", and made a new sentence of existing provisions, beginning with "No application".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 97–424, §113(a), substituted "1983" for "1978" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 97–424, §113(b), added par. (3).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–424, §113(d), substituted "section 103(e)(4), 104, or 144" for "section 104" after "provisions of".

1979—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–106 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and cls. (1) and (2) thereof as subpars. (A) and (B) and added par. (2).

1975—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93–643, §111(a), substituted "other than the Interstate System" for "including the Interstate System" in two places.

Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 93–643, §111(b), added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c).

1968—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 90–495, §25(a), extended advance construction authority to all the Federal-aid highway systems rather than just the Interstate System but provided that anticipation of future apportionments by States should only be permitted for those years for which authorizations have been established by law.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 90–495, §25(b), struck out reference to subsec. (b)(5) of section 104 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 10003 of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Title IX of Pub. L. 105–206 effective simultaneously with enactment of Pub. L. 105–178 and to be treated as included in Pub. L. 105–178 at time of enactment, and provisions of Pub. L. 105–178, as in effect on day before July 22, 1998, that are amended by title IX of Pub. L. 105–206 to be treated as not enacted, see section 9016 of Pub. L. 105–206, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 90–495 effective Aug. 23, 1968, see section 37 of Pub. L. 90–495, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.