Transportation Alternatives Program

Transportation Alternatives Program
Name	Transportation Alternatives Program
Abbreviation	TAP
Established	2012
Administered by	Federal Highway Administration; New York State Department of Transportation
Purpose	funding for pedestrian, bicycle, streetscape, and non-motorized transportation projects
Funding	Federal transportation funds; state match
Headquarters	Albany, New York

Transportation Alternatives Program The Transportation Alternatives Program provides competitive funding for bicycle, pedestrian, streetscape, and other non-motorized transportation projects in the United States, with prominent implementation in New York. The program consolidates earlier federal initiatives to prioritize safety, access, and multimodal connectivity in urban and rural contexts. TAP interfaces with agencies such as the Federal Highway Administration, the New York State Department of Transportation, and local municipalities to distribute grants for infrastructure, planning, and community-based interventions.

Overview

TAP consolidates prior federal programs like the Safe Routes to School program, the Transportation Enhancements Program, and portions of the Highway Safety Improvement Program into a single competitive funding stream administered through state departments such as the New York State Department of Transportation. The program targets projects that advance pedestrian access near schools, increase bicycle network connectivity near sites like the Brooklyn Bridge, and improve streetscapes in corridors exemplified by Broadway (Manhattan). TAP awards support project development stages from planning studies to construction in jurisdictions including New York City, Albany, New York, Rochester, New York, and Syracuse, New York.

History and Legislative Background

TAP was created under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) as part of a federal effort to streamline programs previously authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and subsequent reauthorizations. Legislative predecessors include programs managed by the Federal Highway Administration and initiatives championed in state legislatures such as the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly. Key figures in adoption and advocacy have included transportation planners affiliated with institutions like the Regional Plan Association and policymakers from municipal governments such as the Mayor of New York City's office.

Program Structure and Funding

TAP receives federal funds apportioned through the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program with administration by state departments like the New York State Department of Transportation. Program rules reflect guidance from the Federal Highway Administration and are implemented in coordination with Metropolitan Planning Organizations such as the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council and the Capital District Transportation Committee. Eligible recipients include counties, cities, tribal governments like the Shinnecock Indian Nation, and non-profit organizations such as Transportation Alternatives where applicable. Funding cycles have been influenced by federal appropriations acts and transportation bills passed by the United States Congress.

Eligible Projects and Activities

TAP funds activities including pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, streetscape improvements, conversion of abandoned rail corridors into trails similar to the High Line (New York City), and planning such as community-based bicycle master plans exemplified by efforts in Portland, Oregon and San Francisco. Eligible work includes infrastructure in proximity to destinations like Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station (New York City), safety improvements in neighborhoods near Harlem, and programs that support non-motorized access to parks such as Central Park. TAP also supports educational programming akin to Safe Routes to School campaigns and project development phases used by organizations like the Urban Land Institute.

Grant Application and Selection Process

State departments and Metropolitan Planning Organizations administer competitive solicitations with criteria informed by federal guidance from the Federal Highway Administration. Applicants submit proposals that are evaluated for readiness, cost-effectiveness, equity impacts, and alignment with plans from entities such as the Regional Plan Association and local comprehensive plans adopted by municipal bodies like the New York City Department of Transportation. Selection panels can include representatives from agencies such as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and non-governmental stakeholders including advocacy groups like New Yorkers for Parks.

Implementation and Outcomes

Projects funded through TAP have included bike lane networks in Brooklyn, streetscape upgrades along corridors in Buffalo, New York, and conversion of rail rights-of-way inspired by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy model. Outcomes measured by recipients often mirror metrics used by the Federal Highway Administration and include increases in bicycle counts near sites like the Williamsburg Bridge, reductions in pedestrian crashes reported in NYPD datasets, and enhanced access to transit hubs such as Grand Central Terminal. Implementation has required coordination with utilities overseen by authorities like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and permitting with municipal agencies including the New York City Department of Buildings.

Criticisms and Policy Debates

Critiques of TAP parallel debates around federal transportation priorities raised in hearings of the United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and public comment processes led by state departments. Critics argue that competitive allocation may disadvantage rural counties represented in bodies like the Association of Counties and that project funds sometimes favor high-profile urban corridors such as Manhattan over low-income neighborhoods in cities like Syracuse, New York. Policy discussions reference analyses from research organizations such as the Brookings Institution and advocacy from groups like the League of American Bicyclists concerning equity, cost overruns, and the measurement of safety benefits.

Category:Transportation in New York (state) Category:Federal transportation programs of the United States