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August 29, 2023 Contents Introduction Infrastructure What Is Infrastructure? What Is the Purpose of Codes, Standards, and Regulations for Infrastructure? What Types of Infrastructure Are Discussed in This FAQ? Do [...]

June 7, 2022 The federal government recognizes 574 Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages and holds about 55 million acres of land in trust for tribal entities and individual tribal [...]

The article presents information on the federal public transportation program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration. Topics discussed include the objective of the program, forms of public transportation, the challenges in providing public transportation since the Second World War, and funding for the program.

The article focuses on the historical evolution and current status of the highway funding formula, detailing shifts from land area and population-based factors to guarantees based on state equity provisions. Topics include changes brought about by recent legislation like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which introduced new formula programs such as the Carbon Reduction Program and the division of state apportionments among various highway programs.

The article focuses on the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) role in emergency relief for disaster-damaged public transportation systems, particularly within the broader context of FEMA's responsibilities in disaster assistance. It delves into the relationship between FEMA and FTA, outlines the operation of FTA's Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program, and highlights key issues for Congress to consider, such as program funding, and infrastructure resilience.

The article focuses on federal support for public transportation operating expenses in the United States, highlighting the shift in funding priorities between operating and capital expenses. Topics covered include the historical trend of federal funding prioritizing capital expenses, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public transportation ridership, and the potential need for increased federal operating support to address budget deficits and avoid service reductions.

July 15, 2020 Contents Introduction Transportation and GHG Emissions Mitigating GHG Emissions from Surface Transportation GHG Mitigation Provisions in H.R. 2 and S. 2302 Highway Programs for GHG Reduction Projects [...]

This report focuses on Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) responsibilities in the context of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) role in disaster and emergency assistance. The article examines the relationship between FEMA and FTA, outlines the operation of FTA's emergency relief (ER) program and discusses several issues including program funding, in advance of disasters and preparation for disasters by public transportation agencies.

Contents Introduction Buy America Requirements Trade Agreements and Domestic Preferences Cargo Preference Changes to Buy America in MAP-21 and FAST Act Presidential Statements and Actions Effects of Buy America on [...]

The article focuses on the funding and financing of highways and public transportation under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). It discusses the current funding issues, such as the shortfall between revenues and spending, and presents potential solutions for Congress to consider, including raising motor fuel taxes, implementing alternative revenue sources and exploring financing mechanisms and tolling tax incentives are also mentioned as ways to finance infrastructure projects.

The article focuses on federal funding assistance to public transportation agencies is provided primarily through the public transportation program administered by the Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA). It mentions Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds public transportation from the mass transit account of the Highway Trust Fund. It also mentions nominal increase in annual federal funding for public transportation.

Buy America requirements are an integral aspect of federal transportation funding. In a series of statutes, Congress has required that federally funded highway, public transportation, aviation, and intercity passenger rail [...]

The article discusses the U.S. Congressional Research Service report which provides an overview of federal public transportation program. It mentions federal assistance to public transportation is provided primarily through the public transportation program administered by the Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration. It also mentions about Public Transportation Safety Program, and Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program.

Congress over the years has passed several domestic content laws that aim to protect American manufacturing and manufacturing jobs. One is known as the Buy America Act, or more simply, [...]

The article presents the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) report that examines current bridge characteristics and conditions, national funding needs, and the implications of the attempt in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to speed up the pace of bridge improvements. It mentions about the congressional concern, including the potential impact of inflation on future bridge spending, the future of toll-funded bridges, and spending on bridges not on the federal-aid system.

Updated May 19, 2016 Contents Introduction What Are the Components of Seismic Risk? What About Human-Induced Earthquakes? How Vulnerable Is the U.S. Highway System? How Vulnerable Are Highway Bridges? How [...]

The article focuses on federal public transportation program was authorized through FY2020 as part of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. It mentions public transportation includes local buses, subways, commuter rail, light rail, paratransit and general funding authorized is for the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program. It also mentions conditions in the sector and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Updated December 10, 2014 Contents Introduction Organization of Report Caveats Overview Bureau of Land Management Appropriations Discretionary Appropriations Mandatory Appropriations Discussion Revenue Fish and Wildlife Service Appropriations Discretionary Appropriations Mandatory [...]

The article discusses the public-private partnerships (P3) in the transportation sector in the U.S. as of March 2021. Other topics include how P3s improves participation of the private sector in the development, operation and funding of transportation projects, and the major types of P3s, namely, the long-term leases and the design-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM) contracts.

The article focuses on the public transportation program of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) which is Federal assistance to public transportation. It mentions lower ridership than existed at end of World War II and mounting debts and many private transit companies were reorganized as public entities. It also mentions surface transportation programs that allow highway money to be spent on public transportation projects.

The article reports that federal surface transportation programs were funded almost entirely from taxes on motor fuels deposited in the Highway Trust Fund. It mentions Congress has supported the federal surface transportation program by supplementing fuel tax revenues with transfers from the U.S. Treasury general fund. It also mentions surface transportation needs can be met by private investment, including public-private partnerships.

The article discusses the economic impact of the transportation infrastructure funding in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Topics include characteristics of infrastructure funding affected expenditure timing; level of infrastructure investment depended on nonfederal entities; and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on its funding.

The article discusses the federal public transportation program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration from 2016-2020. Topics include authorization of the program under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act; and the role of the program in supporting operational expenses, safety oversight, planning, and research.

The article presents a report from the Congressional Research Service on ferry Programs in the Department of Transportation. It highlights that Ferries provide transportation services in a wide variety of settings and for many purposes; and mentions that the main types of ferry service in the U.S. are commuter passenger service in urban areas, and highway vehicle carriage in rural areas where a bridge is unavailable.

January 6, 2009 Summary Interest in using federal government spending to stimulate U.S. economic recovery has intensified recently in response to indicators showing significant deterioration of the economy. Policymakers at […]

The article discusses the surface transportation provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) approved by the U.S. Senate in August 2021. The aim of IIJA mitigation policies is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from surface transportation. It mentions the promotion of deployment of alternative fueled vehicles in surface transportation programs. Also noted is the authorization of increases in funding for public transportation and intercity passenger rail by the IIJA.

The article discusess the funding and financing of highway and public transportation in the U.S. Topics discussed include raising motor fuel taxes; taxation of electric vehicles; and financing of Federal-Aid System Highways. It also informs on public-private partnerships, and federal loans from the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program.

The article discusses loans and other types of credit assistance provided by Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) for the construction of surface transportation projects. Topics discussed include problems associated with the program funding, subsidy cost of credit assistance and encouraging public- private partnerships and leveraging private capital for projects.

The article focuses on issues about transportation spending and policies in the U.S. Topics being presented include the 112th Congress wherein the House and Senate started observing an earmark ban, information about earmarks, which is a congressionally directed spending directed a significant amount of federal transportation spending prior to the ban, and the distribution of federal highway, transit, rail, and aviation funding before and after the earmark ban.

The article presents a report focusing on the funding and financing of highways and public transportation in the U.S. Topics discussed include the issues with the revenue generation for the Highway Trust Fund of the U.S., the need to fix the issues with taxes on gasoline and carbon, and the public-private partnerships in transportation.

The article offers information on the major programs and the program structures administered by the Federal Tax Authority, including the Rural Area Formula, Urbanized Area Formula and Bus and Bus Facilities and mentions that the largest program is the Urbanized Area Formula Program.

The article focuses on the Federal Public Transportation Program. According to the author the public transportation is managed by the public transportation program under the Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Topics include program structure, State of Good Repair (SGR) Program, and Rural Area Formula Program.

The article offers information on the implications of public transportation in the U.S. for federal policy, general funding, and the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program funding. Topics discussed include funding for operations of rail, bus and shared-ride services, importance of the CIG program, and increase in user fees on automobiles.

The article offers information on factors that affect public transportation ridership in the U.S. Among the factors mentioned are the availability of personal vehicle and other transportation options, price of gasoline, and growth of ridesourcing. It also mentions the growth of public bikesharing schemes and private bicycling.

The article offers information on trends in public transit ridership in the U.S. Topics discussed include ridership in different states, decline in bus ridership, and growth of rail ridership. Several charts which data on annual ridership from 1980-2016, change in public transit ridership in top 10 transit markets, and in smaller transit markets from 2006-2016 are also presented.

The article focuses on the issues surrounding highway bridge conditions in the U.S. Topics discussed icnlude steps taken by the U.S. Congress in addressing te same; enactment of Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act for preventing the conditions of highway bridges in the country; and requirements for bridge spending by the government.

The article offers information on the public private partnerships in transportation in the U.S. Topics discussed include private-sector participation in all phases of the development, operation, and financing of transportation projects; public private partnerships attract investments in transportation infrastructure; and risks in the operating cost could be transferred to the private-sector by the public sector.

The article reports that the Congress passed domestic content laws to protect American manufacturing and manufacturing jobs. It mentions that the statements and actions by U.S. President Donald Trump Administration on reinvigorating domestic manufacturing and reinvesting in infrastructure have stimulated improved interest in the laws, which includes Buy America and Hire American .

The article provides information on the federal funding by the U.S. Federal Highway Transportation (FHWA) for public transportation, highway construction and planning and expansion of transportation systems. Topics include excise taxes on gasoline, time, improving fuel efficiency and increase in fuel taxes.

In the 112th Congress, which convened in January 2011, the House and Senate began observing an earmark ban. Earmarks--formally known as congressionally directed spending--directed a significant amount of federal transportation spending prior to the ban. This report discusses how federal highway, transit, rail, and aviation funding were distributed before and after the earmark ban, and how Members of Congress might influence the distribution with a ban in place. Currently, about 92% of federal highway funds and more than 75% of transit funds are distributed by statutory formulas. The use of formula highway funds is under the control of the states. The bulk of formula transit funding is under the control of local governments and public transit agencies. Most federal funding for aviation is for operation of the air traffic control system and safety-related programs, and generally has not been earmarked. Most aviation infrastructure spending is distributed according to priorities set forth in national plans, but a small percentage was available for earmarking prior to 2011. Most rail funding goes to Amtrak to operate national intercity passenger service. Federal funding for maritime purposes is directed by statute and has not been earmarked. Most of the remaining federal transportation funding is distributed under discretionary programs. U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) discretionary funds are typically distributed through a competitive grant-making process, within guidelines established by Congress and DOT. In practice, however, much of this funding was earmarked by Congress prior to 2011. The precise share of federal transportation dollars that was spent on earmarks cannot readily be calculated, but, according to a DOT Inspector General report, in FY2006 approximately 13% of DOT's total budgetary resources were earmarked. Banning earmarks has not eliminated the opportunity for Members to influence the allocation of transportation resources. The funding formulas and eligibility rules in authorization bills can be shaped to favor particular states, congressional districts, and projects. "Soft" earmarks can be used to identify a project as a congressional priority in appropriations bill report language apparently without violating an earmark ban by not specifying an amount of funding. Without earmarking, Members can continue to call or write DOT in support of projects. Members may also seek to influence the priority a project receives under mandated state and local planning procedures, which can increase the likelihood of federal funding without an earmark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents criticisms on the focus of the State Revolving Fund (SRF) proposals to make a federal water infrastructure trust fund in the U.S. Proponents contend that expenditures in trust fund would not affect the federal deficit because they would be drawn from collections which are dedicated by law for specified purposes. In 1996, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report on alternative funding options for water infrastructure, which include a trust fund.

The article offers information on the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs as the most prominent source of federal financial aid for municipal water infrastructure projects in the U.S. SRF programs can assist different types of projects, which include improving existing and building new drinking water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities needed to comply with requirements and standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and Clean Water Act (CWA).

The article offers information on the water infrastructure project which can be owned and operated by a governmental entity, private sector or a partnership between a private and a government entity in the U.S. A partnership could involve a private entity that invests in water infrastructure and obtain a market rate of return on the investment. The partnership could be the government that issue tax-exempt debt on behalf of the private entity having private activity bonds (PABs).

The article offers information on the creation of a national infrastructure bank as another idea to improve the investment of the U.S. in infrastructure. The bank would be authorized to help fund the construction or reconstruction of infrastructure under most infrastructure bank proposals in several areas including energy, telecommunications, water and wastewater, and transportation.

The article offers information on the legislation enacted by the 113th Congress to make a pilot Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program in the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency was authorized to offer credit assistance (loan guarantees or secured loans) for wastewater and drinking water projects, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was authorized to offer the same assistance for water resource projects, such as storm damage reduction and flood control.

This report addresses several options considered by Congress to address the financing needs of local communities for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects and to decrease or close the gap between available funds and projected needs. Some of the options exist and are well established, but they have been under discussion for expansion or modification. Other innovative policy options for water infrastructure have been proposed, especially to supplement or complement existing financing tools. Some are intended to provide robust, long-term revenue to support existing financing programs and mechanisms. Some are intended to encourage private participation in financing of drinking water and wastewater projects. Six options reflected in legislative proposals in the 114th Congress, including their federal budgetary implications, are discussed. • Increase funding for the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs in the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act (S. 2532/S. 2583, H.R. 4653, and H.R. 4954). • Create a "Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act" Program, or WIFIA (P.L. 113-121 in the 113th Congress; several bills in the 114th Congress that proposed to establish a similar program for water reclamation and reuse projects in western states are H.R. 291/S. 176, S. 1837, S. 1894, and S. 2533/H.R. 5247). • Create a federal water infrastructure trust fund (H.R. 4468, H.R. 5313, and S. 2848). • Create a national infrastructure bank (included in the Administration's FY2017 budget request and H.R. 413, H.R. 625, H.R. 3337, H.R. 3555, S. 268, and S. 1589). • Lift restrictions on private activity bonds for water infrastructure projects (included in the Administration's FY2017 budget request and H.R. 499, S. 2606, and S. 2821). • Reinstate authority for the issuance of Build America Bonds (included in the Administration's FY2017 budget request and H.R. 2676). A number of these options have been examined by congressional committees since the 112th Congress. A pilot program for one of them--WIFIA--was enacted in 2014. Nevertheless, interest in other financing options continues, in part due to long-standing concerns regarding the costs to repair aging and deteriorated U.S. infrastructure generally, and also in response to events in individual regions and cities, such as Flint, MI, where problems of elevated lead levels in its drinking water distribution system have recently drawn public attention. Consensus exists among many stakeholders--state and local governments, equipment manufacturers and construction companies, and environmental advocates--on the need for more investment in water infrastructure. There is no consensus supporting a preferred option or policy, and many advocate a combination that will expand the financing "toolbox" for projects. Some of the options discussed in this report may be helpful, but there is no single method that will address needs fully or close the financing gap completely. For example, some may be helpful to projects in large urban or multijurisdictional areas, while others may be more beneficial in smaller communities. At least for the near term, communities will continue to rely on the existing SRF programs, tax-exempt governmental bonds, and tax-exempt private activity bonds to finance their water infrastructure needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]