Programming Flexible Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program Funds: Best Practices for State DOTs

Abstract

State departments of transportation (DOTs) face unique challenges in programming funds for the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program. This is particularly true as more DOTs receive larger shares of so-called “flexible” CMAQ funding. Unlike other CMAQ funds, flexible funds can be spent outside of non-attainment and maintenance areas, which often means in more rural areas where there is no metropolitan planning organization (MPO) to program the funding. Flexible funds may also be spent on a wider range of project types. DOTs in these situations have many options for programming CMAQ funds but there has been little guidance on best practices for doing this. Prior studies have focused exclusively on best practice for MPOs. This study provides a comprehensive survey of current CMAQ programming practices among DOTs and MPOs and then highlights practices best suited to the particular needs of DOTs.