US DOT Issues Guide to Sustainable Communities

The US Department of Transportation recently released a reference guide that identifies resources for promoting livable and sustainable communities. The guidebook, titled Leveraging Partnership, was released by US DOT in conjunction with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Association. The book summarizes the various federal programs available and how to get more information on each. Though not intended to be a list of all DOT, HUD, and EPA funding and techincal assistance programs, the document does include those acitivites and initiatives that are connected to the Partnership for Sustainable Communities. This partnership was formed by these three agencies in June 2009 to address environmental protection, equitable development, climate change, better access to more transportation options, lower travel costs, and affordable housing.

As stated in the document, "US DOT will work to promote livable communities and enhance the economic and social well-being of all Americans by creating and maintaining a safe, reliable, integrated, and accessible transportation network. A multimodal transportation system increases choice, provides easy access to employment opportunities and other destinations, and improves the surrounding community. DOT will work on innovative ways of doing business that promote mobility and enhance the unique characteristics of our neighborhoods, communities, and regions."

The transportation section of this guidebook profiles various funding opportunities available for livable community projects through the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration. Examples include the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant Program; the Transportation Planning Capacity Building Program, the Urbanized Areas Formula Grant Program; the Rural and Small Urban Area Formula Grant Program; the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) Program; programs serving populations such as the elderly, disabled persons, and low-income workers who face particular challenges involving access to critical services; the National Scenic Byways Program; and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program.

To view a copy of the guidebook, click here