Alaska Federal Funding Profile
Navigating the funding transportation funding process, especially the federal funding process can be
difficult, for both agency staff and advocates. Each state and jurisdiction has particular rules, practices,
personnel and contexts, which determine how decisions get made. To understand the system, it is
helpful learn the who, what, where and when of each funding source. The following is an attempt to
answer these questions for Alaska. This profile template can be used as a guide to gather this
information in any community.
The focus of this profile is on un- or under-utilized programs like the Surface Transportation Program
(STP), the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), the Highway Safety
Improvement Program (HSIP) and the State and Community Highway Safety Grants (Section 402).
Information on Transportation enhancements, which in Alaska are largely found in the TRAAK program,
can be found in the STIP at: www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/cip/stip/index.shtml; and Safe Routes to
School can be found here: www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/saferoutes/
Surface Transportation Program (STP)
The Surface Transportation Program provides flexible funding that may be used by states and localities
for projects on roads, bridges and transit. STP funds may be used for either the construction of bicycle
transportation facilities and pedestrian walkways, or non-construction projects (such as maps,
brochures, and public service announcements) related to safe bicycle use and walking.
Is funding distributed among funding categories? Are funding categories tied to federal categories or
another system? If another system, what is it?
Alaska has developed the Community Transportation Program (CTP) to fund surface transportation
projects at the local level. Much of the funding for the state’s CTP comes from the federal STP program,
but one will also find most of the more than 60 federal funding sources including transit, CMAQ, bridge,
earmarks, discretionary funds, and others, as well as the required state and/or local match. The CTP is
further divided into the classes of Remote Roads and Trails (small communities not linked to the major
road system), Urban-Rural Roads and Trails (communities connected to the State highway system
directly or by ferry, or to roads with traffic volumes 500 per day and above), Intelligent Transportation
Systems, and Transit. Some of the STP funds are allocated to the two MPO’s in Alaska based on a
formula; the MPO’s develop their own project selection process for those funds.
What is the project selection process?
During the STIP cycle, project nominations are first reviewed and scored by the regional planning offices.
The highest-ranking projects from each region are then forwarded to the Project Evaluation Board (PEB)
for their review and ranking. Each region presents its projects to the PEB and is expected to defend
them in a discussion of the relative merits. The PEB meetings are open to the public.
The project nomination period is formally opened every two years; however, project nominations may
be submitted to the regional planning offices at any time.
If the project evaluation criteria are revised during the next State Transportation Improvement Program
(STIP) cycle, the project nomination may have to be updated to meet the new or revised criteria. Project
nominations received are placed into an unranked “Needs List”, which may be searched and viewed by
community, funding program, highway or other factors. Before submitting a new project, review the
Needs List to see if it has not already been identified previously.
Who sets the project selection policy?
Typically, the project evaluation criteria are reviewed every two years as part of the STIP development
cycle. STIP project selections are reviewed to analyze how well the selection process is meeting the
goals and objectives of the Long Range Statewide Transportation Plan, legislative and administrative
directives, and any changes in federal requirements. The public is invited to review and comment on
the criteria and any proposed changes. NOTE: The next criteria review public comment period is
expected to open in late April or early May, 2012. Final decisions on the criteria will be made by the
Division of Program Development.
2
Bicycle and pedestrian bridge near the entrance of Denali National Park and Preserve
Who makes funding decisions/selects projects?
The Project Evaluation Board (PEB); the PEB is comprised of senior DOT&PF managers including Regional
Directors(3) , the Director of the Division of Program Development, the Chief Engineer, and the
Commissioner’s office.
What does the project application look like? How was it written? Do good bike/ped projects score
well?
The project nomination forms are currently offline as we begin preparations for the next STIP cycle. As a
general rule, stand-alone bike/ped projects are not considered in this program – they are found in the
TRAAK program. In the CTP program, however, transportation projects with bike/ped elements in them
often score better than those without.
Who rates the applications?
Project nominations are first reviewed and scored by the regional planning offices. The highest-ranking
projects from each region are then forwarded to the PEB for their review and ranking. Each region
presents its projects to the PEB and is expected to defend them in a discussion of the relative merits.
Who administers the programs?
DOT&PF; work with your regional planners to develop project nominations. The local MPOs (FMATS &
AMATS) administer the funds allocated to them.
What is the timeline for project selection? Key dates for application and selection?
Criteria review and comment expected in late April/early May, 2012
The project nomination process is expected to open in summer 2012
Regional planning offices will evaluate and regionally score nominations in fall 2012
Project Evaluation Board (PEB) will meet in winter 2012/2013.
STP Resources:
2012-2015 STIP: www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/cip/stip/index.shtml
Needs List Search Tool: www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/cip/stip/needslist/index.cfm
Current STIP Project Selection Criteria: www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/cip/stip/projects/1215_peb.shtml
3
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)
The CMAQ program funds transportation projects that improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion.
See out Advocacy Advance report on CMAQ: http://www.advocacyadvance.org/docs/lab_cmaq.pdf
FHWA recently confirmed that bike/ped projects are eligible for CMAQ funds:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/cmaqfunds.htm
Where are Alaska’s non-attainment areas?
 Anchorage (CO) - Maintenance
 Fairbanks/North Pole (CO) – Maintenance
 Juneau Mendenhall Valley (Coarse Particulate) – Moderate non-attainment
 Eagle River (Coarse Particulate) – Moderate non-attainment
 Fairbanks North Star Borough (Fine Particulate) – Non-attainment
Who sets project selection policy?
 Anchorage/Eagle River: Anchorage Metro Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS), in
conformance with State Implementation Plan (SIP)
 Fairbanks/North Pole: Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System (FMATS), in
conformance with SIP
 Juneau: DOT&PF Southeast Region, in conformance with SIP
See the Alaska State Improvement Plan (SIP): http://dec.alaska.gov/air/anpms/SIP/akrevisions1.htm
What is the project selection process?
 See AMATS for Anchorage; FMATS for Fairbanks/North Pole
 See STIP for Juneau
Who makes the project-selection decisions?
 Anchorage/Eagle River: AMATS
 Fairbanks/North Pole: FMATS
 Juneau: DOT&PF PEB with input from SE Region/Juneau Assembly
When are programming decisions made?
AMATS & FMATS make project selection decisions as part of their Transportation Improvement Program
(TIP) processes. Projects in the Juneau area are made as part of the STIP process.
Can good bike/ped projects compete for funds?
Yes.
4
Funding History
FMATS: Birch Hill Bike/Ped Facility 2013; North Pole Path Rehab/Connections 2012; COF/Curb Corner &
Sidewalk Upgrades 2012; FMATS Pedestrian Improvements Stage I 2014; FMATS Steese Expressway to
Graehl Park Connector 2015.
AMATS: Transit Stop Enhancement Program 2010; Bus Stop Improvements 2011-2015; Transit Center
Facilities 2013-2014
Statewide: (AWP) State Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator; Air Quality Public Education; Juneau Particulate
Matter Planning Project; Mendenhall Valley Street Dust Control
CMAQ Resources:
2012-2015 STIP: www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/cip/stip/index.shtml
Multi-use path in Homer, AK
5
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HISP) funds safety projects aimed at reducing traffic
fatalities and serious injuries. Bike and pedestrian safety projects are eligible for HSIP funding. All public
roads – including state, borough and local roads – are eligible for HSIP funding. Examples of eligible
projects include bike lanes, roadway shoulders, crosswalks, other intersection improvements and
signage. See the Advocacy Advance report on HSIP case studies:
http://www.advocacyadvance.org/site_images/content/hsip_casestudies_shsp_emphasis.pdf
Are bicycle and pedestrian safety identified as emphasis areas in Alaska’s Strategic Highway Safety
Plan?
Yes; several strategies were identified for “special road users”.
Have state HSIP funds been allocated to bicycle and pedestrian safety at a “fair share” in proportion to
fatalities?
HSIP dollars are distributed to the most effective projects from a single statewide fund. The goal of the
Alaska HSIP is to “maximize lives saved and major injuries eliminated per dollar spent.” There are no
separate allocations based on the various crash types or victims involved – all are considered equally.
What are the project selection criteria?
DOT&PF Traffic and Safety personnel evaluate potential projects based on the number and severity of
crashes (fatal, major injury, minor injury, property damage only) and the expected benefit of any
improvements based on the national Crash Reduction Factors. Project prioritization is based on cost of
crashes eliminated. Using crash cost results in a greater emphasis on severe crashes. For “ranked”
projects, prioritization is based on benefit-cost ratio (estimated cost of crashes eliminated / cost of
construction and maintenance). For “non-ranked” projects, prioritization is based on a subjective
estimate of potential for reducing severe crashes.
Who sets the project selection criteria?
State Traffic Engineers
Who makes the project selections?
Regional Traffic and Safety Engineers in Alaska’s three regions (Northern, Central and Southeast) identify
scope, estimate, and rank candidate projects according to benefit-cost ratio (ranked projects) and
potential for crash reduction (non-ranked projects). HQ Traffic & Safety reviews proposed new projects,
works with the regions to clarify project description and scope, and submits recommended projects to
the Federal Highway Administration for approval.
When are the proposals and decisions made?
February 1 – HQ T&S delivers current crash data, guidance info to regions; regions ID candidate projects
July 15 – Regions submit proposed new HSIP projects; HQ reviews proposals, submit to FHWA
September 1 – Regions submits funding program for approved projects
October 1 – HQ finalizes funding plan for new federal fiscal year
6
HSIP Resources:
Alaska DOT&PF’s HSIP: http://dot.alaska.gov/stwddes/dcstraffic/hsip.shtml
Alaska HSIP Handbook: http://dot.alaska.gov/stwddes/dcstraffic/assets/pdf/hsip/hsip_handbook.pdf
Annual HISP Process Flow chart, page 6, Strategic Highway Safety Plan
7
Section 402 – State and Community Highway Safety Grants
Section 402, the State and Community Highway Safety Grant Program, is a federal program that
provides funds for education, enforcement and research programs designed to reduce traffic crashes,
deaths, injuries, and property damage. Under Section 402, bike and pedestrian safety programs are
eligible to receive funding for projects such as these:








Comprehensive school‐based pedestrian and bike safety education programs
Helmet distribution programs
Pedestrian safety programs for older adults
Training in use of pedestrian and bicycle design guidelines
Community information and education programs
Public information in May, such as “Bike Safety Month”, and in September, “Back to School
Safety Month.”
Public information for school zone and crosswalk safety
Public information about older adults and impaired pedestrian
Which agency administers 402 grants?
Alaska Highway Safety Office
What is the selection process?
Request for proposals usually go out the first of April each year, with proposals due June 1st. Proposals
are evaluated in June by AHSO staff and in early July go through a peer review; if clarifications or
additional information is needed, proposers are contacted in July, with award notifications made in
August. Period of performance is federal fiscal year: October 1 – September 30.
Who makes the selection decisions?
Alaska Highway Safety Office (AHSO) Administrator
What else do we need to know?
The grant process was revised this year and is expected to undergo additional revision before next year’s
grant cycle. Single project grants were eliminated this year. New grants are required to have
performance measures and be able to show progress toward meeting goals. A new AHSO
Administrator, Joyce Vick, was named in early April.
402 Resources:
Alaska Highway Safety Office (AHSO): www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/hwysafety/index.shtml
Strategic Traffic (Highway) Safety Plan: http://dot.alaska.gov/stwdplng/stsp/index.shtml
NHTSA: www.nhtsa.gov/
8
Other Funding Sources


Communities served by cruise ships may be eligible to use their cruise ship tax receipts to
construct and maintain bicycle/pedestrian facilities used by cruise ship passengers.
Direct legislative appropriations
General questions
Who owns the majority of the roads?
Statewide, just over a third of the road miles (35%) are owned by the state; 21% by boroughs, 7% by
municipal/local governments, and the remaining 37% by federal agencies, Native organizations and
others.
How are the non-federal matching funds paid for?
See: Local Match for CIP Policy & Procedure:
www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/cip/stip/assets/05_match_policy_table.pdf
9
Contacts
State Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator
- Bob Laurie
Bob.Laurie@alaska.gov
465-6989
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
- AMATS (Anchorage) Craig Lyon
- FMATS (Fairbanks)
Donna Gardino
lyonch@ci.anchorage.ak.us
djgardino@ci.fairbanks.ak.us
Statewide TIP (STIP)
- Northern Region
- Central Region
- Southeast Region
- Statewide
ethan.birkholz@alaska.gov
david.post@alaska.gov
andy.hughes@alaska.gov
dot.stip@alaska.gov
343-7996
459-6786
451-5150
269-0520
465-1776
(888) 752-6368 Toll Free
Surface Transportation Program
See STIP Community Transportation Program (CTP)
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
See STIP/CMAQ
Highway Safety Improvement Program
http://dot.alaska.gov/stwddes/dcstraffic/hsip.shtml
Section 402 safety grants
- Joyce Vick, AHSO Administrator
joyce.vick@alaska.gov
www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/hwysafety/index.shtml
465-4374
Safe Routes to Schools
- Steve Soenksen, SRTS Coordinator
steve.soenksen@alaska.gov
www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/saferoutes/
465-4069
Transportation Enhancements
See STIP/TRAAK
Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators
AMATS (Anchorage): Lori Schanche (B/P)
SchancheLE@ci.anchorage.ak.us
343-8368
10
Documents
Safety plans
Strategic Traffic Safety Plan:
http://dot.alaska.gov/stwdplng/stsp/documents/STSP_2012_StandardRes_FINAL.pdf
Highway Safety Improvement Program:
http://dot.alaska.gov/stwddes/dcstraffic/hsip.shtml
2012 AK Highway Safety Performance Plan:
www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/hwysafety/assets/pdf/FFY12_Final_HSP_3_6_2012.pdf
Clean air policy:
ADEC Division of Air Quality: www.dec.alaska.gov/air/anpms/comm/comm.htm
Transportation Improvement Program/State Transportation Improvement Program
STIP : www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/cip/stip/index.shtml
AMATS & FMATS TIP (as incorporated into STIP):
www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/cip/stip/incorporations/index.shtml
AMATS: www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/Planning/AMATS/Pages/Default.aspx
FMATS: http://fmats.alaska.gov/
11