Program Plan
Department of Transportation - Capital Investments Grants, Recovery Act Recovery Plan
Updated 05/15/2009
Objectives
Program Purpose
To support the capital needs of public transportation systems in both urbanized and rural areas. To make investments that reduces the overall energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of transit systems.
Public Benefits
Federal capital investments in transit infrastructure translate into transportation services to individuals who do not have vehicles, persons with disabilities, people with low income, and senior citizens to have basic mobility for access to employment, basic services, and leisure locations. Investment in transit infrastructure also translates into transportation alternatives that contribute to the livability of our cities and communities by reducing air pollution, reducing congestion during peak commuting periods, and promoting urban land use patterns that reduce energy use).
Measures
The measures have been revised to enrich the performance metrics for Recovery targets. In some instances, targets will not be available until additional baseline data has been collected.
| Measure | Target/Actual |
|---|
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
|---|
[-]
Condition - stabilize and improve the average condition of the bus fleet | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Measure Information
| Frequency : Long-term | | Direction : Increasing | | Type : Outcome | | Explanation : In the last year for which data is available, 2006, the average condition of the Nation's bus fleet of over 70,000 vehicles was 3.01. As recently as 2003, the average condition had been 3.11.. Pre-existing levels of Federal investment in replacing bus fleets were proving inadequate for stabilizing the average condition of the bus fleet, particularly since formula funds may be used for any eligible purpose and cannot be targeted towards improving the condition of the bus fleet. It is hoped that the infusion of recovery money will provide sufficient resources to reverse this trend and raise the average condition of the fleet up to the 3.24 level. | | Unit : No Data Available |
|
[-]
Number of projects under construction by type. | - | - | - | - |
Measure Information
| Frequency : Annual | | Direction : No Data Available | | Type : Output | | Explanation : Funds will be used to support the construction of new systems or extensions to existing fixed guideway transit systems including bus rapid transit, commuter rail, heavy rail, light rail, streetcars, and ferries, as well as certain corridor-based bus systems, | | Unit : No Data Available |
|
[-]
Number of projects completed by type. | - | - | - | - |
Measure Information
| Frequency : Annual | | Direction : No Data Available | | Type : Output | | Explanation : Funds will be used to support the construction of new systems or extensions to existing fixed guideway transit systems including bus rapid transit, commuter rail, heavy rail, light rail, streetcars, and ferries, as well as certain corridor-based bus systems, | | Unit : No Data Available |
|
Schedule and Milestones
On March 5, 2009, FTA published the apportionment of formula funds in the Federal Register. The apportionment allocated funds to each urbanized areas over 200,000 in population; each State for urbanized areas under 200,000 in population within that State, and again to each State for the non-urbanized areas within that State.
Accordingly, eligible public transportation providers, State Departments of Transportation, and Metropolitan Planning Organizations began submitting grant applications to FTA for grant awards of those formula funds.
By September 1, 2009, grant recipients in each allocated area must receive grant awards for at least 50 percent of the area's initial allocation. Any portion of the 50 percent that is not obligated by this date will be redistributed to those that were able to obligate at least 50% of their allocation.
By March 5, 2010, all of the allocated funds must be awarded in grants. Any allocated funds that have not yet been awarded by this time will be redistributed by FTA to those areas that were able to get all their allocated funds allocated in grants. In both redistributions, funds from urbanized areas are only redistributedd to other urbanized areas, and funds from rural areas are only redistributed to other rural areas.
On September 30, 2010, all funds not obligated in an approved grant will be returned by FTA to the US Treasury..
Once a grant award is made, the grant recipient is able to spend the amount of the grant on the eligible activities listed in the grant, and then apply to FTA for reimbursement of those expenditures as they are made. Grant recipients must make quarterly financial status reports and quarter milestone progress reports to FTA on their progress in carrying out the activites listed in the grant. Grant recipients must also comply with the reporting requirements in Section 1201 and Section 1512 of the Recovery Act.
September 30, 2015 is the last day for grant recipients to receive reimbursement of an eligible expenditure under an ARRA grant.
Milestones
| Milestone |
Completion Date |
| Allocation of funds |
05/11/2009 |
| first 1201 ARRA reporting |
05/18/2009 |
| Second 1201 ARRA reporting |
08/16/2009 |
Projects and Activities
Funds will be used to support the construction of new systems or extensions to existing fixed guideway transit systems including bus rapid transit, commuter rail, heavy rail, light rail, streetcars, and ferries, as well as certain corridor-based bus systems,
Review Process
The Department of Transportation created a common risk management protocol for each of its Recovery Act programs to follow. It includes (1) completing a risk assessment to identify risks, (2) completing a risk profile to assess risks, (3) developing a risk mitigation strategy to address identified risks, and (4) participating in a validation and testing process to ensure that risks are being addressed. This Recovery Act program is participating fully in the established risk-management process and may even enhance that process with additional program-specific risk management actions.
Cost and Performance Plan
FTA has an external (internet) website http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440.html where information on ARRA project plans and progress is presented. Agencies organize cost and performance data for grant applications by using the TEAM grants management system. Information on project expenses, goals, and schedule must be entered to allow FTA staff to determine if they are qualified expenses.
Energy Efficiency Spending Plans
Projects funded by these grants all support transit system expansion to serve existing and new transit users. These transit riders might otherwise be driving, using non-renewable energy, and contributing substantially more greenhouse gas and pollution to the atmosphere.
Program Plan Award Types
No Data Available