Capital Programming

TIP CMAQ Program Transportation Enhancements Implementation Home Town Streets & Safe Routes to School (HTS & SRS)

DVRPC announces the release of a special report, "Options for Filling the Region's Transportation Funding Gap" [4.1 MB pdf] and the staff powerpoint presentation given to the DVRPC Board [440k pdf] on October 25. Also available is a copy of the AASHTO presentation on "Surface Transportation Funding: A Look Ahead" [800k pdf].

Capital Programming involves the management and funding of projects that involve the region's transportation infrastructure. It is the process whereby the vision of the Long Range Plan is made into the reality of an enhanced transportation system. DVRPC plays a key role in advancing projects through this process — by arranging funding via the TIP, conducting special project selection programs like CMAQ and TE, and managing the Project Implementation process on behalf of our partner agencies.

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The TIP is the regionally agreed upon list of priority projects for near-term capital funding. As required by federal law (ISTEA and TEA-21), the TIP document must list all projects that intend to use federal funds, plus any non-federally funded projects that are regionally significant. The DVRPC TIP also includes all other state-funded capital projects. Though most of the projects in the TIP are the traditional highway and public transit projects, it also includes bicycle and pedestrian projects, freight-related projects, and innovative air quality projects. The TIP development process involves extensive inter-agency coordination and public outreach. While the DVRPC TIP is regional in scope, there are two distinct portions representing our two states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

DVRPC Competitive CMAQ Program

How Do You Spell Relief From Traffic Congestion? One way is C-M-A-Q (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program) — a strategic federal initiative, funded through the DVRPC Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The CMAQ program enables the DVRPC region to target funding to innovative programs that help manage congestion as we work to meet the national air quality standards. Many of these projects, though beneficial, might not be funded if not for this special effort. Periodically, DVRPC conducts a competitive application program open to public agencies, incorporated private firms and non-profit entities. Projects are selected for their ability to cost effectively reduce emissions from highway sources. CMAQ is a reimbursement program which can typically cover up to 80% of eligible project costs, with the project's sponsor covering at least the remaining 20%.

Transportation Enhancements (TE)

The TE Program funds "non-traditional" projects that enhance the transportation experience, mitigate the impacts of transportation facilities on communities and the environment, and enhance community character through transportation-related improvements. Federal law (ISTEA and TEA-21) require states to set aside 10% of their federal Surface Transportation Program funds to the TE Program. While our two states, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, conduct slightly different programs, DVRPC is closely involved in each project selection process.

Home Town Streets & Safe Routes to School (HTS & SRS)

This program is intended to improve the quality of life in our communities. The Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recognizes that the streets that run through the centers of our cities and towns provide vital connections. Sprucing up these streets will bring people back to our town centers and promote healthy living. PennDOT can also contribute to the safety of our children by making improvements to the routes children take to school.

Project Implementation

DVRPC provides project management assistance to PennDOT and our New Jersey counties for certain federally funded transportation projects. The PennDOT assisted projects include multi-use trails, bicycle path construction (both on and off roadway), reconstruction/restoration of historic transportation buildings, improvements to scenic roads, pedestrian facilities, and streetscape improvements, as well as non-construction projects that accomplish such tasks as marketing, outreach, and education. These are generally municipal projects that have receive CMAQ or TE funding. DVRPC also assists our New Jersey counties with the implementation of bridge, roadway, and intersection improvement projects funded with Urban Allocated Surface Transportation Program (STU) funds. DVRPC's primary role as the project manager is to ensure a smooth workflow throughout the project development process, including assistance in defining the project's scope of services, advertising the request for proposal (RFP), coordinating consultant selection, administrating the consultant contract, and gaining final approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).