Federal transportation funds, such as the provisions of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Equity Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and subsequent federal transportation bills, can be a catalyst for local and state investments in sidewalks, crosswalks, bicycle lanes, trails and other facilities that support walking and bicycling for transportation. However, the availability of these federal funds alone is not enough to ensure a better walking and bicycling environment. State, regional, and local policy decisions determine the degree to which communities take advantage of the federal programs for walking and bicycling improvements. The overall aim of this project is to evaluate how federal funding interacts with state and local policies to impact the installation of facilities, physical activity levels, and safety. Researchers will analyze national spending patterns on bicycle and pedestrian facilities to select two metropolitan areas for case studies. Case studies will be used to identify what policies have affected regional and local spending patterns and the factors that have influenced the adoption (or lack thereof) of such policies. Data will come from both federal transportation spending databases and regional travel diary surveys.Research Report: The Regional Response to Federal Funding for Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects
