Photo by James Willamor is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Sustainability – it’s a big concept, objective and goal for governmental leaders. It’s actually a big goal for many organizations and individuals as well. Sustainability is the effort we make to improve the economic and social quality of life while limiting the impact to our environment.
One of the hottest topics of the day is one that revolves around sustainable transportation systems. Don’t doubt that statement yet!
Tough questions are being asked by public officials in almost every state. How can transportation systems meet basic public needs and yet limit consumption of non-renewable resources? How can ridership be improved to take more cars off the roadways? How can fleets be retrofitted? Will more bike lanes really decrease automobile traffic? What other sustainability benefits can we tie to transportation projects?
The impetus for the questions is driven by the fact that billions of dollars are available to communities that come up with the right answers and the right types of sustainable transportation projects. Federal funds which are available to fund transportation projects are highly competitive and sustainability benefits often tip funding decisions to one community over another one.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) manages a $10 billion annual program that supports public transportation projects. Sustainability tied to any project makes it much more attractive and it increases the chances of funding approval.
Additional federal funding comes from the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program. This program allocates federal money for loans, loan guarantees and standby lines of credit to finance transportation projects. Sustainability tied to these projects also makes them more attractive and more likely to be funded.
There’s at least $15 billion in tax exempt private activity bonds available to transportation projects designated as public-private partnerships (P3s). Many cities, states and regions have transportation projects to launch and sustainability is always a primary goal.
Denver has launched a very large public-private partnership called the Eagle P3 Project. It’s a $2.2 billion effort that includes 36 new commuter rail lines – all scheduled to open in 2016. Funding is coming from a myriad of sources, particularly the programs already mentioned. Denver Transit Partners, the city and numerous private-sector partners have incorporated as many sustainability benefits as they could.
Atlanta has announced plans to stimulate transit-oriented development and Baton Rouge and Charlotte are implementing new streetcar lines. Phoenix, with assistance from the Department of Transportation (DOT), will launch a light-rail project and Richmond is building a Bus Rapid Transit line. The Chicago Transit Authority has increased public transit capacity and a Diesel Retrofit Program is under way. All have sustainability benefits.
New York City DOT initiated a Sustainable Streets program to reduce congestion. A street design template was announced, capacity for bike commuting will be doubled and pedestrian-friendly boulevards are being developed along key corridors.
Things are happening when it comes to transportation projects. Collaboration, innovation and definitely sustainability benefits contribute greatly to the chances of receiving public funding.
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