In 1991, the United States Congress created transportation enhancements (TE) through the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). The concept was that transportation spending should focus on more than just roads. The country needed to invest in a more balanced, multi-modal approach to mobility and accessibility. The TE activities allow communities to develop projects that improve the quality of a community and enhance the travel experience for people traveling by all modes. TE has provided funding awards to more than 10,000 projects nationwide, helping communities protect scenic vistas, create bike paths, develop walkable downtowns and protect the environment. This guide, in its second edition, is a road map for navigating through the TE process. It will guide the reader through many of the challenges he or she may encounter. It starts with tips for meeting major requirements of the federal provision, continues with a discussion of state program characteristics and different approaches towards project application and management, and follows with an explanation of how to get a project on the ground, from start to finish. Twenty-one case studies are included, providing examples of planning, managing and financing eligible projects.
Abstract