Nashua Regional Planning Commission Online







Transportation Funding Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality \| Safe Routes to School \| Transportation Enhancements

Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ)	The 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) established the CMAQ Program, substantially expanding the focus and purpose of federal transportation funding and programs to address air quality. CMAQ specifically provides assistance for air quality and congestion mitigation projects in urbanized areas which have been identified as non-attainment. Eligible Projects Transit - Construction, equipment, parking for transit services, or operating expenses for new and improved transit services for a maximum of three years Other Shared Ride – Vanpool and carpool programs, and parking for such services Highway or Road – Traffic management and control services, signalization projects, intersection improvements, and construction and dedication of high-occupancy vehicle lanes Demand Management – Employer trip reduction programs, transportation management programs, flexible work schedule programs, vehicle restriction programs Pedestrian or Bicycle Facilities – Sidewalks, trails, storage facilities, promotional activities Inspection and Maintenance Programs (I/M) and Traffic Control Measures (TCMs) not covered by the preceding categories *Education and outreach to increase public knowledge of transportation-related air pollution emissions, and opportunities to reduce them Related CMAQ Links NHDOT TE/CMAQ website Citizens' Guide to CMAQ CMAQ Program: Policy Overview presentation back to top

Safe Routes to School	The Safe Routes to School Program encourages students from kindergarten through 8th grade to safely walk or bike to school by using a variety of education methods and incentives. The program also addresses parents’ safety concerns by encouraging greater enforcement of traffic laws; exploring ways to create safer streets; and educating the public about safe biking, walking, and driving practices. The overall goals of the Safe Routes to School Program are to reduce traffic near schools, enhance air quality, and improve children’s health through increased physical activity. This is important because physical exercise, especially biking and walking, can help prevent heart disease (the nation’s #1 killer), as well as other chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression. Health care officials agree that children need at least thirty minutes of physical activity every day. Unfortunately, only about twenty percent of children nationwide meet this minimum standard. The NHDOT administers the Safe Routes to School Program in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and NRPC. Federal reimbursement funding for local projects is authorized under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). Getting Started 1. Notify NRPC of your intention to begin a program. We have assisted a number of communities and schools in our region with the funding application process and the development of travel plans. Please contact Matt Waitkins at 424-2240 extension 18 or mattw@nashuarpc.org. 2. Visit the New Hampshire Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School website, which provides information on the application process, funding criteria, and more. The development of a Safe Routes to School Travel Plan is a great way for schools and communities to build consensus about the key issues and concerns that are preventing children from biking and walking to school. Travel Plans also identify solutions to key issues and develop an action plan and timeline for implementing these solutions. Current Projects Nashua ~ Ledge Street Elementary Infrastructure Project ~ raised crosswalks, pavement markings, bump out Bicentennial Elementary Infrastructure Project ~ rebuilding the Rosecliff walking path (100 ft), installing radar speed feedback sign * Birch Hill Elementary Infrastructure Project ~ radar speed feedback signs * Travel Plan Development ~ Bicentennial Elementary, Birch Hill Elementary, New Searles Elementary Brookline ~ Richard Maghakian Memorial School Infrastructure Project ~ installing radar speed feedback signs, 1220 feet of sidewalk Captain Samuel Douglas Academy Infrastructure Project ~ 200 feet of sidewalk *Fresh Air Fridays ~ as a group, participants in "Fresh Air Fridays" have walked 375 miles during the 2008-2009 school year. This is almost the distance of walking from Brookline to Washington, DC. A certified bike trainer also conducted a training session in May for grades 3-6. Final Products All Safe Routes to School documents produced by NRPC can be found here. back to top

Transportation Enhancements (TE)	The TE program develops and reinforces livable communities by funding projects that preserve the historic culture of the transportation system and/or enhance the operation of the system for users. Eligible Projects Construction of facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians Safety and educational activities for bicyclists and pedestrians Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites Preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including the conversion for use as bicycle paths and pedestrian facilities) Historic preservation Scenic or historic highway programs (including the provision of tourist and welcome center facilities) Landscaping and other scenic beautification Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities (including historic railroad facilities and canals) Control and removal of outdoor advertising Archaeological planning and research Environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff or reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity Establishment of transportation museums Related TE Links NHDOT TE/CMAQ website Citizens' Guide to TE back to top







Search Links	Nashua Regional Planning Commission 9 Executive Park Drive, Suite 201 Merrimack, NH 03054 Phone ~ 603.424.2240 \| Fax ~ 603.424.2230	Exchange \| Remote







Transportation Funding Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality \| Safe Routes to School \| Transportation Enhancements

Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ)	The 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) established the CMAQ Program, substantially expanding the focus and purpose of federal transportation funding and programs to address air quality. CMAQ specifically provides assistance for air quality and congestion mitigation projects in urbanized areas which have been identified as non-attainment. Eligible Projects Transit - Construction, equipment, parking for transit services, or operating expenses for new and improved transit services for a maximum of three years Other Shared Ride – Vanpool and carpool programs, and parking for such services Highway or Road – Traffic management and control services, signalization projects, intersection improvements, and construction and dedication of high-occupancy vehicle lanes Demand Management – Employer trip reduction programs, transportation management programs, flexible work schedule programs, vehicle restriction programs Pedestrian or Bicycle Facilities – Sidewalks, trails, storage facilities, promotional activities Inspection and Maintenance Programs (I/M) and Traffic Control Measures (TCMs) not covered by the preceding categories *Education and outreach to increase public knowledge of transportation-related air pollution emissions, and opportunities to reduce them Related CMAQ Links NHDOT TE/CMAQ website Citizens' Guide to CMAQ CMAQ Program: Policy Overview presentation back to top

Safe Routes to School	The Safe Routes to School Program encourages students from kindergarten through 8th grade to safely walk or bike to school by using a variety of education methods and incentives. The program also addresses parents’ safety concerns by encouraging greater enforcement of traffic laws; exploring ways to create safer streets; and educating the public about safe biking, walking, and driving practices. The overall goals of the Safe Routes to School Program are to reduce traffic near schools, enhance air quality, and improve children’s health through increased physical activity. This is important because physical exercise, especially biking and walking, can help prevent heart disease (the nation’s #1 killer), as well as other chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression. Health care officials agree that children need at least thirty minutes of physical activity every day. Unfortunately, only about twenty percent of children nationwide meet this minimum standard. The NHDOT administers the Safe Routes to School Program in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and NRPC. Federal reimbursement funding for local projects is authorized under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). Getting Started 1. Notify NRPC of your intention to begin a program. We have assisted a number of communities and schools in our region with the funding application process and the development of travel plans. Please contact Matt Waitkins at 424-2240 extension 18 or mattw@nashuarpc.org. 2. Visit the New Hampshire Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School website, which provides information on the application process, funding criteria, and more. The development of a Safe Routes to School Travel Plan is a great way for schools and communities to build consensus about the key issues and concerns that are preventing children from biking and walking to school. Travel Plans also identify solutions to key issues and develop an action plan and timeline for implementing these solutions. Current Projects Nashua ~ Ledge Street Elementary Infrastructure Project ~ raised crosswalks, pavement markings, bump out Bicentennial Elementary Infrastructure Project ~ rebuilding the Rosecliff walking path (100 ft), installing radar speed feedback sign * Birch Hill Elementary Infrastructure Project ~ radar speed feedback signs * Travel Plan Development ~ Bicentennial Elementary, Birch Hill Elementary, New Searles Elementary Brookline ~ Richard Maghakian Memorial School Infrastructure Project ~ installing radar speed feedback signs, 1220 feet of sidewalk Captain Samuel Douglas Academy Infrastructure Project ~ 200 feet of sidewalk *Fresh Air Fridays ~ as a group, participants in "Fresh Air Fridays" have walked 375 miles during the 2008-2009 school year. This is almost the distance of walking from Brookline to Washington, DC. A certified bike trainer also conducted a training session in May for grades 3-6. Final Products All Safe Routes to School documents produced by NRPC can be found here. back to top

Transportation Enhancements (TE)	The TE program develops and reinforces livable communities by funding projects that preserve the historic culture of the transportation system and/or enhance the operation of the system for users. Eligible Projects Construction of facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians Safety and educational activities for bicyclists and pedestrians Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites Preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including the conversion for use as bicycle paths and pedestrian facilities) Historic preservation Scenic or historic highway programs (including the provision of tourist and welcome center facilities) Landscaping and other scenic beautification Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities (including historic railroad facilities and canals) Control and removal of outdoor advertising Archaeological planning and research Environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff or reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity Establishment of transportation museums Related TE Links NHDOT TE/CMAQ website Citizens' Guide to TE back to top







Search Links	Nashua Regional Planning Commission 9 Executive Park Drive, Suite 201 Merrimack, NH 03054 Phone ~ 603.424.2240 \| Fax ~ 603.424.2230	Exchange \| Remote