|
| 
Who decides how
funds are used?Who makes the decisions about
which funds will be used for safety and which safety projects will be advanced?
There are no easy answers. Each state has its own laws and institutional arrangements.
State DOTs are responsible for the construction and maintenance of state highways
and take the lead in roadway safety activities such as elimination of roadside
hazards. The Governors' Highway Safety Representatives in every state are responsible
for administering federal highway safety grants, preparing an annual plan, and
implementing programs to carry out the plan at the state and local levels. In
metropolitan areas with populations above 50,000, Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPOs) play a key role in selecting projects for funding. Table 3-3 shows who
generally has the lead in administering funds for the programs described in this
chapter.
Table 3-3. Funding Sources |
| | State DOT |
Governor's Highway Safety Representative |
MPO1 | | National
Highway System | 
|
| |
| Interstate Maintenance |
|
| |
| Surface Transportation |
|
|
|
| Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality |
|
| |
| Bridge Replacement |
|
| |
| Hazard Elimination |
|
| |
| Highway Railroad Grade Crossing Safety |
|
| |
| Open Container Transfer |
|
|
| | Repeat
Offender Transfer |
|
|
| | Seat Belt
Grants |
|
|
| | .08 Incentive
Grants |
|
|
| |
1 MPOs also receive funds to prepare long-range plans, Transportation
Improvement Programs, and special studies. |
At the local level, one of the best ways to make
your project a funding priority is to develop relationships with staff and decision
makers in your local MPO. Be sure to include the state DOT representative serving
on the MPO. They can help provide access to state funds and technical expertise
to get a project done. DOTs are experts in statewide planning, engineering, and
roadway safety. Use the information from your safety checklist completed in Chapter
1 to inform MPO members about the need for your project. This kind of information
will help to convince them of its merit. Now let's find out how MPOs work and
how you can participate in the planning process. Back
to Table of Contents Next |
