HTF
Define what the Highway Trust Fund is
A financing mechanism to account for taxes collected by the federal government
How did this program begin?
What is the objective of the Urbanized Area Formula Grant Program
Allocates funds used for public transportation, rail, and bus services
Why was the Highway Safety Program created?
Created to improve highway safety
Name two examples of competitive grants
1. Job Access Reverse Commute Program
2. New Starts Program
Why is Congress currently supplying funds from the general treasury?
To close the gaps in revenue shortcomings
How does the Surface Transportation Program get its funds?
Allocates funds directly to state Departments of Transportation
What kind of communities are a part of this program?
Areas of 200,000 or more receive this money directly
How are funds allocated?
Lane miles of Federal-aid highways
Vehicle miles traveled on Federal-aid highways
The number of fatalities on the Federal-aid system
How does one obtain a competitive grant?
States and locals can compete for money towards specific program goals
When was the Mass Transit Account created?
1983
What is the major problem with this program?
Rewards states that drive more, build highways, and use more gas
What is the result of budget cuts?
Cutting routes that impacted
1. Low-income communities
2. Fare prices
3. Access to work
How much money do MPOs get per year, and where does it come from?
$300 Million/year in federal transportation funds
Describe the Job Access and Reverse Commute Program
Funds projects that help connect low-income workers to job centers.
What is the main objective of the Mass Transit Account?
Which components get funded under this program?
1. Total lane miles of federal-aid highways
2. Vehicle miles traveled on lanes of federal-aid highways
3. Estimated state contributions to the Highway account
State one problem
Transit funds are prohibited from being used for operations with jurisdictions of 200,00 and above
When are MPO's required?
Urbanized areas with populations of more than 50,000 residents
Describe the objective of the New Starts Program
Supports locally planned, implemented, and operated major transit capital investments
Funds new and extensions to commuter rails, light rail, heavy rail, bus rapid transit, streetcars, and ferries
Name each idea the HTF is trying to enact to close the gap in revenue.
1. Levying sales tax on oil
2. Increasing toll fee
3. Implementing congestion fees
What amount of money is allocated to these components? (state percentages)
1. 25% total lane miles of federal-aid highways
2. 40% vehicle miles traveled on lanes of federal-aid highways
3. 35% estimated state contributions to the Highway account
What is the breakdown of the formula?
Bus Revenue Miles
Bus Passenger Miles
Fixed Guideway Revenue Miles
Fixed Guideway Route Miles
Population and population density
Who designates transportation management areas, and what are the requirements?
US Secretary of Transportation designates, must have population must be greater than 200,000 residents
How much money does the Federal Government put into competitive grant programs?
Typically 25%, and requiring a match