Active Transportation Funding

California Active Transportation Program

Overview

ATP Logo

The California Active Transportation Program (ATP) was created by Senate Bill 99 (Chapter 359, Statutes 2013) and Assembly Bill 101 (Chapter 354, Statutes 2013), to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation, such as biking and walking. The ATP consolidates existing federal and state transportation programs, including the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA), and State Safe Routes to School (SRTS), into a single program with a focus to make California a national leader in active transportation. In 2017, the state legislator nearly doubled the funding capacity of ATP with revenues raised through the adoption of the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program (Senate Bill 1). The 2021 ATP will award over $400m through a four year cycle starting in fiscal year 2021/22. ATP funds are awarded through call for proposals issued by the California Transportation Commission and SCAG.

The ATP has six main goals:

  • Increase the proportion of trips accomplished by biking and walking.

  • Increase the safety and mobility of non-motorized users.

  • Advance the active transportation efforts of regional agencies to achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals as established pursuant to Senate Bill 375 (Chapter 728, Statutes of 2008) and Senate Bill 391 (Chapter 585, Statutes of 2009).

  • Enhance public health, including reduction of childhood obesity through the use of programs including, but not limited to, projects eligible for Safe Routes to School Program funding.

  • Ensure that disadvantaged communities fully share in the benefits of the program.

  • Provide a broad spectrum of projects to benefit many types of active transportation users.

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Statewide & Regional Funding Opportunities

ATP funding is awarded to projects in the SCAG region through two funding programs: the Statewide ATP and SCAG’s Regional ATP. The statewide guidelines and regional guidelines provide direction on project selection for each of the respective programs. There is a consolidated Call for Projects for both funding programs issued by the California Transportation Commission in Spring of every even year (ex 2020) to solicit applications for all eligible project types. In addition, SCAG issues a supplemental Call for Projects, in coordination with the SCAG Sustainable Communities Program in the Fall of every even year, for specific types of Planning and Non-Infrastructure Projects ONLY that implement regional priorities and expand the reach of regional programs.

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2021 ATP Call for Projects

On March 25, 2020, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) adopted program guidelines and announced the 2021 ATP Call for Projects. Applications are due on June 15, 2020. Project sponsors can apply in one of six funding categories identified below. Please follow this link to access the application and supporting documents and tools.

  • Large Project, Infrastructure only or Infrastructure/Non-infrastructure: Projects with a total project cost of greater than $7 million will be considered a Large Project and must use the Large Project application. Any project requesting over $10 million in ATP funding must expect to have an onsite field review with Caltrans and Commission staff.

  • Medium Project, Infrastructure only or Infrastructure/Non-infrastructure: Projects with a total project cost between $2 million to $7 million will be considered a Medium Project and must use the Medium Project application.

  • Small Project, Infrastructure only or Infrastructure/Non-infrastructure: Projects with a total project cost of less than $2 million will be considered a Small Project and must use the Small Project application.

  • Quickbuild Project: Pilot program of 1-5 year interim capital improvement projects. The CTC has limited the total award of these project types in the Statewide Component to up to $7 million.

  • Non-infrastructure Only

  • Plan

SCAG adopted the Cycle 5 Regional ATP Guidelines on April 2, 2020 and anticipates issuing a supplemental Call for Projects in September through the Sustainable Communities Program (SCP). The SCP Call for Projects will be open to specific types of Planning and Non-Infrastructure Projects ONLY.

For more information, please visit California Transportation Commission ATP and Caltrans ATP. If you have any questions regarding the ATP, SCAG’s Regional Program or SCAG’s Sustainability Planning Grant Program, please contact Cory Wilkerson, wilkerson@scag.ca.gov, (213) 236-1992.

Timeline

  • Call for projects March 25, 2020

  • Project applications to Caltrans (postmark date) June 15, 2020

  • Staff recommendation for statewide and small urban and rural portions of the program posted November 16, 2020

  • Commission adopts statewide and small urban and rural portions of the program December 2020

  • Commission adopts MPO selected projects May 2021