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The FAST Act: Implications for the African-American Community

TheFixingAmerica’sSurfaceTransportationAct(FASTAct)wassignedintolawinDecember2015byPresidentBarackObama.Thebillprovides$305billionoverfiveyears(2016–2020)fortransportationandinfrastructureprojectsintheUnitedStates.TheFASTActmaintainsthecurrentfundingsharebetweenhighwaysandtransit(80percenthighways/20percenttransit).AccordingtotheU.S.DepartmentofTransportation,theFASTActstreamlinestheprocessofapprovingtransportationprojectswhilemaintainingenvironmentalandhistoricaltreasureprotections,establishesfundandgrantprogramstosupportcriticaltransportationprojectsthataffectfreightmovement,andcreatestheNationalSurfaceTransportationandInnovativeFinanceBureau,whichprovidesstateandlocalgovernmentswithacomprehensivesetoftechnicalassistancetoolstofundexpensivetransportationprojects.TheFASTActfurtherprovidesimportantfinancingopportunitiesforlargeprojectsandpublic-privatepartnershipsthroughtheTransportationInfrastructureandFinancingInnovationAct(TIFIA)which,accordingtotheFederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA)“providesfederalcreditassistanceintheformofdirectloans,loanguarantees,andstandbylinesofcredittofinancesurfacetransportationprojectsofnationalandregionalsignificance.”1Fromasafetyperspective,thebillincreasespenaltiesforautomakerswhoareinnoncompliancefrom$35millionto$105million,prohibitsrentalcarcompaniesfromsellingcarswithactivesafetyrecalls,andenhancestheDepartment’ssafetyoversightoftransitagencies,busandtrucksafetygrantprograms.2TheActalsocontainsmanypoliciesofinteresttotheAfrican-AmericancommunityandhighlightskeyprovisionsintheDepartment’sLaddersofOpportunityinitiative.Theinitiativeaimstoguidetheimprovementoftransportationoptions,theredevelopmentofunderrepresentedcommunities,andexpansionofemploymentopportunities,particularlyforlow-incomeindividuals,minorities,andpersonswithdisabilities.Someoftheseprovisionsincludethefollowing:

- Provides more funding opportunities for transit oriented development through the TIFIA and the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) programs;

- Establishes a pilot program that supports projects improving transportation coordination for the transportation disadvantaged, including seniors and individuals with disabilities;

- Provides funding to increase connectivity through the improvement of bicycle and pedestrian paths; and

- Expands access to public transportation workforce development opportunities through training, educational programs and technical assistance grants, with specific outreach to underrepresented groups, such as the African-American community.

Despitethesignificanceofthepassage,manyquestionsremainabouttheimplementationofthebill.WhataretheeconomicimplicationsofthesepoliciesontheAfricanAmericancommunityandwhatdoespublicopinionontheFASTActtellusaboutsocietalsupportforsuchchanges,especiallyundertheTrumpadministration?Thisbriefhopestoanswerthesequestions,proposerecommendationsonmaximizingthepositivesocioeconomicbenefitsoftheFASTAct,andeducatethepubliconthe

1FederalHighwayAdministration.(2016).TransportationInfrastructureFinanceandInnovationAct(TIFIA).Retrievedfromhttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/fastact/factsheets/tifiafs.cfm.2FederalTransitAdministration.(2016).FTAProgramFactSheetsundertheFASTAct.Retrievedfromhttps://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/5329-safety-program-fact-sheet.

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increasingsignificanceoftransportationpolicytoinfluencetheadvancementofequityandopportunityfortheAfricanAmericancommunity.

Highlights of Transportation Acts

Table1displaysthevarioustransportationpoliciespassedbyCongresssince1991.

Bill Year Passed

Funding and

Duration

Key Highlights

IntermodalSurfaceTransportation

EfficiencyAct(ISTEA)

1991 $155billion,1992-1997

• OpenedHTFFundsforactivitiesthatenhancetheenvironment• CreatedtheCongestionMitigationandAirQualityProgram• AllocatedfundsforMetropolitanPlanningOrganizations• Mandatedthatpassengerautomobilesandlighttrucksbuiltafter

September1,1998haveairbagsinstalledasstandardequipmentforthedriverandtherightfrontpassenger

TransportationEquityActforthe

21stCentury(TEA-21)

1998 $218billion,1998-2003

• Allocated$750millionfortheAccesstoJobsProgram• CreatedtheTIFIAprogram• Mandatedtherequired10%projectsharewithDisadvantaged

BusinessEnterprises(DBEs)Safe,Accountable,Flexible,EfficientTransportation

EquityAct:ALegacyforUsers(SAFETEA-

LU)

2005 $244billion,2005-2010

• Earmarked$100millionforanewNon-MotorizedTransportationPilot

• EstablishedtheTransportation,Community,andSystemPreservation(TCSP)Program

MovingAheadforProgressinthe21stCenturyAct(MAP-

21)

2012 $105billion,2012-2014

• CreatedanewformulaprogramcalledtheTransportationAlternativesFormula

• EliminatedseveraldiscretionaryprogramsincludingtheTransportation,Community,andSystemPreservationprogram

FixingAmerica'sSurface

TransportationAct(FAST)

2015 $305billion,2015-2020

• Expandsaccesstopublictransportationworkforcedevelopmentopportunitiesthroughtraining,educationalprogramsandtechnicalassistancegrants

• Establishesapilotprogramthatsupportsprojectsimprovingtransportationcoordinationforthetransportationdisadvantaged,includingseniorsandindividualswithdisabilities

The 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA)

ISTEAfreeduphighwayfundstosupportprogramsthat“enhancedtheenvironment.”Eligibleactivitiesincludedmitigationofdamagetowildlifehabitat,historicsitepreservation,activitiesthatimprovedairquality,andbicycle/pedestrianprojects.TheISTEAalsogavecitiestheflexibilitytoallocatefundswheretheyweremostneeded.Somecitiesusedthefundstorepairsidewalks,providemorefundingfortheirpublictransitsystems,orinvestedinimprovingthecapacityoftheirroads.ISTEAcreatedtheCongestionMitigationandAirQualityProgram,whichassistedareastocomplywithfederalcleanairstandards.ISTEAfocusedontheimportanceofenvironmentalconsiderationsintheplanningoftransportationprojectdesign.Inatimewheremanycitiesstruggledwithunhealthyairquality,whichdisproportionatelyaffectedminorities,ISTEAwasawelcomeadditiontothetransportationsector.The 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21)

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ISTEAwasfollowedbyTEA-21in1998.3TEA-21authorizedfundingforinfrastructurefrom1998–2003andkeptmanyofthefeaturesfromISTEA,butincludedsomenewprovisions.Themostsignificantportionofthelawisthatitmandatedatleast10%oftheamountmadeavailableforanyfederally-supportedhighways,masstransit,andtransportationresearchandtechnologyprogramsbeallocatedwithcertifiedDisadvantagedBusinessEnterprises(DBEs).ThisrequirementhelpedincreaseaccesstocapitalforsmallBlack-ownedtransportationandconstruction-focusedbusinessesthatpreviouslyhadtocompetewithlarger,moreinfluentialbusinesses.Inaddition,thelawallocated$750millionfortheJobsAccessandReverseCommute(JARC)program,whichprovidedcompetitivegrantstolocalgovernmentsandnon-profitorganizationstodeveloptransportationservicesthatconnectedwelfarerecipientsandlow-incomepeopletoemploymentandsupportservices.Theadditionoftheprogramprovidedfundsforgranteestoextendbusservicehoursinlow-incomecommunities,multiplyfixed-routeserviceinthosecommunities,orrentvehiclessuchasshuttlesandvanstotransportpeopletoandfromtheirjobs,schools,grocerystores,andhomes.The 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) TEA-21wasreplacedwithSAFETEA-LU,whichwassignedintolawbyPresidentGeorgeW.BushinAugust2005.4Thelawprovided$244.1billionforinfrastructureandtransportationprogramsfrom2005–2009andcontinuedfundingformanyoftheprogramspassedintheprevioustwoacts,includingthecontinuationoftheCongestionMitigationandAirQualityImprovementProgram.SAFETEA-LUprovidedmillionsofdollarstotheRecreationalTrailsprogram,whichhelpedtorefurbishtrailsinparksforpedestrian,bicycling,andotheroutdooractivities.Moneywasallocatedforapilotthataimedtodemonstratehowwalkingandbicyclingcanbeintegratedintothetransportationsystem.Furthermore,the$270millionallottedfortheTransportation,Community,andSystemPreservation(TCSP)ProgramfundedavarietyofCompleteStreetsprogramsthatmaderoadssaferandaccessiblebybike,transit,andwalking. The 2012 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)

MAP-21waspassedbyCongressinJune2012andsignedbyPresidentObamainJuly2012.5Thebillprovided$105billionfrom2012-2014.Thebillrestructuredsomeprogramstosavecostsonthefederalbudget.MAP-21maintainedtheDisadvantagedBusinessEnterprise(DBE)SupportiveServicesandOn-the-JobTrainingSupportiveServicesdiscretionaryprograms,whichhavehelpedAfrican-AmericanbusinessesreceiveassistanceingettinginfrastructurecontractsandhasemployedAfrican-Americanstoworkoninfrastructureprojectsintheirowncommunities.Furthermore,theActdoubledthemoneyallottedforinfrastructuresafetyanddirectedmoreresourcestowardreducinghighwayfatalities,improvingtransitsafety,andeliminatingdistracteddriving.However,theActalsoconsolidatedtheSafeRoutestoSchool,RecreationalTrails,andTransportationAlternativesProgramfromprevioustransportationbillsintooneprogramcalledtheTransportationAlternativesFormulaprogram.Furthermore,stateswouldbeabletodivertfundsfromthisprogramtofundotherhigh-

3FederalHighwayAdministration.(2015).TransportationEquityActforthe21stCentury-ASummary.Retrievedfromhttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/index.htm.4FederalHighwayAdministration.(2005).ASummaryofHighwayProvisionsinSAFETEA-LU.Retrievedfromhttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/safetealu/summary.htm.5FederalHighwayAdministration.(2012).MovingAheadforProgressinthe21stCenturyAct(MAP-21):ASummaryofHighwayProvisions.Retrievedfromhttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/summaryinfo.cfm.

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priorityprojects.Thischangewascriticizedbybicyclingandpedestrianadvocates,whoworriedtheywouldobserveasignificantdecreaseinfundingduetotheconsolidation.Key Programs of Note in the FAST Act

Researchstudiesillustratestatisticsthatshowhowlow-incomecommunitiesofcolorarenegativelyimpactedbythecurrenttransportationinfrastructureintheU.S.:

- Over70%ofregionaljobsarenowmorethan3milesawayfromcentralbusinessdistricts6whilemostlow-incomepeoplecontinuetolivewithinthecentralcity;7

- From2000-2010,householdincomegrew25%,butthecombinedcostsofhousingandtransportationincreased44%;8

- TransportationcostsarenowthesecondlargestexpenseformostAmericanhouseholds,eatingonaverage20centsofeverydollarinincomeandasmuchas55centsforeverydollarearnedbythepooresthouseholds,ascomparedtohigh-incomehouseholdswhospendonlyninecentsforeverydollarearned;9

- AfricanAmericanssufferapedestrianfatalityratethatis60percenthigherthannon-HispanicWhites,at2.65per100,000persons(age-adjusted);10

- AfricanAmericansmakeup12.7percentoftheU.S.population,buttheyaccountfor17.3percentofallpedestriandeaths;

- Childrenfromlow-incomefamiliesaretwiceaslikelytowalktoschoolfromhigher-incomefamilies,andthereforehaveahigherriskofbeinginjuredorkilledaspedestrians.11

Overall,transportationtrendshaveshownthatlow-incomeresidentsaretravellinglongerdistancestogettoareaswiththehighestconcentrationofjobsandincurincreasinglyunaffordablecoststoutilizepublictransportation.Thefiguretitled“RaceandIncome-BasedTransportationImpacts”belowfurtherhighlightsthesedivisionsinthetransportationsector,especiallyregardingtheAfrican-Americancommunity.African-Americansarelesslikelytohaveacarandthereforeusepublictransit.However,becausepublictransportationisnotasprevalentinsuburbs,wheremostjobsare,residentsareunabletoaccessthosecentersofemployment.

6Glaeser,E.L.(2001).DecentralizedEmploymentandtheTransformationoftheAmericanCity.Brookings-Wharton Papers on Urban Affairs,1-47.7Glaeser,E.L.,Kahn,M.E.,&Rappaport,J.(2008).Whydothepoorliveincities?Theroleofpublictransportation.Journal of Urban Economics,63, 1,1-24.8PartnershipforSustainableCommunities.(2014).PartnershipforSustainableCommunities:FiveYearsofLearningfromCommunitiesandCoordinatingFederalInvestments.Retrievedfromhttp://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/sites/sustainablecommunities.gov/files/docs/partnership-accomplishments-report-2014-reduced-size.pdf.9PolicyLink.(2014).AllAboard:MakingEquityCentralinTransportationPlanning.Retrievedfromhttp://equitycaucus.org/find-resources/library/all-aboard-making-equity-central-webinar.10SmartGrowthAmerica.(2014).DangerousbyDesign2014,Retrievedfromhttp://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/dangerous-by-design-2014/dangerous-by-design-2014.pdf.11SafeRoutestoSchoolNationalPartnership.(2010).ImplementingSafeRoutestoSchoolinLowIncomeSchoolsandCommunities:AResourceGuideforVolunteersandProfessionals.Retrievedfromhttp://www.saferoutespartnership.org/sites/default/files/pdf/LowIncomeGuide.pdf.

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Accessingthosejobcentersprovesevenmoredifficultwhenthehouseholdsalaryislessthan$50,000,asshowninthe“RaceandIncome-BasedTransportationImpacts”chart.Ashouseholdsmakingthisamountaremorelikelytobelimitedtomovingaroundduetocostconsiderations,thejobcentersarelessaccessiblecomparedtothosemakinghighersalaries.Furthermore,ifhouseholdsmakingunder$50,000havenochoicebuttotraveltothesuburbstogettojobs,theypaymorefromtheirsalarytoaccessthatjob.Thecharttitled,“RaceandIncome-BasedTransportationImpacts,”showsthatthosemakingbelowthemediansalaryspendalargerpercentageoftheirsalaryontransportation.AlltheseindicatorsshowthattheFASTActandothertransportationprogramsmusthelplow-income,African-Americanresidentsgettothejobsandotheramenitiesneededtoliveamiddle-classlife.

Race and Income-Based Transportation Impacts

KeyprogramsintheFASTActwillpositivelyaffectAfrican-Americans’abilitytomovefromonepointtoanotherastheytraveltotheirjobs,childcarecenters,andhospitals,whileseekinggreateropportunitytoimprovetheirlivesbecausetheactultimatelyprovidesthenecessaryfundingfortheseprogramstoexist.Severaloftheseprogramsaredescribedbelowindetail:

Transit

African-Americansarenearlyfourtimesmorelikelytotakepublictransportationthantheirnon-whitecounterparts,andthereforeitisveryimportantthetransportationbillprovidesthenecessaryfunding

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andprogramsneededtosupportarobustpublictransportationsystem.TheFASTActauthorized$61.1billionfortransitfrom2016-2020.Table2showstheprogramsintheActthatfallunderthepublictransitpurview.

Program Key Highlights

UrbanizedBus

Formula12

• Providesfundsforcitieswithover50,000peopletocovertransitcapitalexpensesandoperatingcosts

• HalfofthetotalfundingintheActfortransitisallocatedfortheprogram• Eligibleprogramsincludecapitalinvestmentsinbusandbus-relatedactivities,transitproject

design,andparatransitservicesStateofGood

Repair13 • Providesfundsformaintenanceandrehabilitationoffixedrailandbuspublictransitsystems

BusandBusFacilities14

• Providesfundsforstatesandothereligiblerecipientstoreplace,rehabilitateandpurchasebusesandconstructfacilitiesthatcanaccommodatenewtechnologies,suchzeroandlow-emissionbuses

EnhancedMobilityofSeniorsandIndividuals

withDisabilities15

• Providesfundsfortheremovalofbarrierstotransportationforseniorsandindividualswithdisabilitiesincitiesofallsizes(largeurbanized(over200,000),smallurbanized(50,000-200,000),andrural(under50,000))

• ProjectscanincludecapitalandnontraditionalinvestmentsbeyondcomplementaryparatransitservicesmandatedbytheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)

FixedGuidewayCapital

Investments16

• Providesfundingforfixedrailinfrastructuresuchasnewandexpandedrail,lightrail,streetcars,andbusrapidtransit

• Fourcategoriesofprojects:NewStarts,SmallStarts,CoreCapacity,InterrelatedProjects

TheBUYAMERICAInitiative17

• Requiresthatfederaldollarsthatareusedonatransitprojectmustcontainthatacertainpercentageofmaterial(suchassteelandiron)bemadeintheUnitedStates

• Thecontentofaprojectmusthaveaminimumof60%American-producedcontentin2016and2017,increasingto65%in2018and2019and70%in2020

TheUrbanizedBusProgramistheprimarybeneficiaryoftransitfunds(halfofalltheFASTActfundingisallocatedforthisprogram)andassistscitieswithcapitalandoperatingexpenses.Thisfundingisextremelyimportantforurbanresidentstohelpwithreplacingoldbusesthathaveexceededtheiroperatinglifetimeswithnewerbuses.Thesebusescontainmoresafetyfeaturesforriders(largerseats,securitycameras,etc.…)andproducelessemissionsthantheiroldercounterparts(manynewbusesarehybrid-electric),resultinginbetterairqualityinthecommunitiestheylivein.TheStateofGoodRepairprogramassiststransitagenciesinmaintainingtheirsystems.Maintenanceisamajorissueforpublictransitsystems.Forexample,theWashingtonMetropolitanAreaTransitAgency

12FederalTransitAdministration.(n.d.).FactSheet,UrbanizedAreaFormulaProgramGrants.Retrievedfromhttps://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/FASTActSection5307FactSheet.pdf.13FederalTransitAdministration.(n.d.).FactSheet,StateofGoodRepair.Retrievedfromhttps://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/5337_State_of_Good_Repair_Fact_Sheet.pdf.14FederalTransitAdministration.(n.d.).FactSheet,BusandBusFacilities.Retrievedfromhttps://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/5339BusandBusFacilitiesFactSheet.pdf.15FederalTransitAdministration.(n.d.).FactSheet,EnhancedMobilityofSeniorsandDisabled.Retrievedfromhttps://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/5310_Enhanced_Mobility_of_Seniors_and_Disabled_Fact_Sheet.pdf.16FederalTransitAdministration.(n.d.).FactSheet,CapitalInvestmentGrant.Retrievedfromhttps://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/5309_Capital_Investment_Grant_Fact_Sheet.pdf17FederalTransitAdministration.(n.d.).FactSheet,BuyAMERICA.Retrievedfromhttps://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/Buy_America_Fact_Sheet.pdf.

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hasbeenintheprocessofreducingabacklogofmaintenancethroughitsSafeTrackprogramforthepastyear18.By2015,Americantransitagencieshadover$102billioninmaintenancebacklogs.19Littletonomaintenanceontransitsystemshasresultedinunnecessarydelays,longcommutes,andhighercosts,whichforAfrican-Americanshavebeenmajornegativeeffectsastheyaremostlikelytousepublictransit.TheStateofGoodRepairisasmallstepforwardinaddressingtheseissues.TheBusandBusFacilitiesProgramprovidestransitagencieswiththefundstopurchasenewbusesandconstructthefacilitiestomaintainthosebuses.Withthenewbusesandfacilities,citieswillhavethecapacitytogrowridership,reachpeoplethatwereonceunderservedbytransit,andreduceheadways(i.e. the average interval of time between vehicles moving in the same direction on the same route).Totalfundingforthisprogramis$3.7billion.ThereisasignificantincreaseinfundingfromthelastyearofMAP-21(fiscalyear2014,$427.8million)tothefirstyearoftheFASTAct(fiscalyear2016,$695.8million),highlightingtheimportancetheActplacesonmaintainingandmodernizingthemanybusesthattraversethecountry’sroads.CitieslikeDetroit–wherein2011athirdofitsbuseswereofftheroadfordailyrepairs20–aredesperatelyinneedforfundingfromsuchaprogram.TheEnhancedMobilityofSeniorsandIndividualswithDisabilitiesprogramprovidesfundstoremovebarrierstotransportationforseniorsandindividualswithdisabilitiesincitiesofallandtypicallyincludeprojectsoutsideofthecomplementaryparatransitservicesmandatedbytheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA).Accordingtothe2010AmericanCommunitySurvey,approximately19percentofthetotalU.S.populationhadadisability,withAfrican-Americans(alone,notHispanicorLatino)comprisingthelargestpercentageofthedisabledat22.2percentadjustedforage(Non-Hispanicwhiteswereat17.6percent,14.5percentfortheAsianalonepopulation,and17.8percentfortheHispanicpopulation).21Theprogramwillhelptoprovideaccessforthesecommunitiesoutsideofthenormalparatransitservicesandmayincludetransit-relatedinformationtechnologysystems,scheduling/routing/one-callsystems;mobilitymanagementprograms;andvolunteerdrivingprograms.TheFixedGuidewayCapitalInvestments(FGCI)isaprogramthatprovidesfundingforfixedrailinfrastructuresuchasnewandexpandedrail,lightrail,streetcars,andbusrapidtransit.TherearefourcategoriesofprojectsunderFGCI(NewStarts,SmallStarts,CoreCapacity,InterrelatedProjects),withthemostnotablebeingtheNewStartsprogram,whereprojectsarerequiredtohaveatotalestimatedcapitalcostofmorethan$300millionorseek$100millionormorefromthegrantswithintheFCGIprogram.TheNewStartsprogramhasfundedmanyrecentrailprojectsthatplanstoimproveconnectivitywithincities,suchastheTidewaterLightRailinNorfolk,VAandtheUniversityCorridorLightRailinHouston,TX.Byimprovingtheconnectivitywithincities,African-Americansresidinginlow-incomeneighborhoodsandwithoutcarscangainaccesstojobcenters,healthcarefacilities,grocerystores,andotherfacilitiesofneed.18WashingtonMetropolitanAreaTransitAuthority.(2017).SafeTrack.Retrievedfromhttps://www.wmata.com/service/SafeTrack.cfm.19CityLab.(2015).America’sTopTransitSystemsFacea$102BillionRepairBacklog.Retrievedfromhttps://www.citylab.com/transportation/2015/11/americas-top-transit-systems-face-a-102-billion-repair-backlog/415590/.20Crain’sDetroitBusiness.(2011).Detroit'sbroken-downbusesstrandridersascityfacestakeover.Retrievedfromhttp://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20111202/FREE/111209983/detroit-s-broken-down-buses-strand-riders-as-city-faces-takeover21UnitedStatesCensus.(2012).AmericanswithDisabilities,HouseholdEconomicStudies.Retrievedfromhttps://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2012/demo/p70-131.pdf.

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TheBUYAMERICAinitiativerequiresthatfederaldollarsthatareusedonatransitprojectmustcontainacertainpercentageofmaterial(suchassteelandiron)thatismadeintheUnitedStates.Thecontentofaprojectmusthaveaminimumof60%American-producedcontentin2016and2017,increasingto65%in2018and2019and70%in2020.Thisrequirementcouldhelpgeneratemorejobopportunitiesinthecountry,asdomesticproducersshouldseeanincreaseinordersformaterials.Workforce Development

On-the-jobtrainingandrelateddevelopmentarekeytobuildingaskilledworkforceinthetransportationandconstructionindustry,whichislosingmembersduetoage-outsandretirements.Astudyco-sponsoredbytheDepartmentsofEducation,Labor,andTransportationcitedapproximately53percentofcurrenttransportationworkersare45yearsorolder,whichiscreatingsignificantworkforcechallenges.PublicTransit(35percent)andrailroads(29percent)havethehighestpercentageofworkersover55yearsold.From2012–2022,anadditional4.2milliontransportationworkerswillneedtobehiredtofillvacanciescreatedbyseparations,andwhengrowthandseparationsarecombined,anestimated4.6milliontransportationjobswillneedtobefilledduringthattimeperiod.22ThefigurebelowshowstheagedistributionofworkersintransportationvsallUSindustriesandinvarioussectorsoftheindustry.ComparedtoallUSindustrieswherethepercentageofworkersbelow44yearsofageis56percent,transportationisonly45percent.MorethanhalfofU.S.transportationworkersareover45yearsofage,meaningthatmanyoftheindustry’sworkforceisapproachingorclosetoretirement.Thisagedistributionfurtheraccentuatestheneedtotrainthenextgenerationoftransportationworkers.TheFASTActcanhelptosupportthefacilitationthistraining.

22DepartmentsofLabor,Education,andTransportation.(2015).StrengtheningSkillsTrainingandCareerPathwaysAcrosstheTransportationIndustry.Retrievedfromhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/PCRN/docs/Strengthening_Skills_Training_and_Career_Pathways_Across_Transportation_Industry_Data_Report.pdf.

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2014 Worker Distribution by Age: Transportation Subsectors vs. All Industries

African-Americansareunderrepresentedinthetransportationsector,especiallyinfieldsthattranslateintohigherwagesandrequirehigher-levelskillsandeducation.Thechartbelowtitled“2014EmploymentinTransportationJobsbyRace”displaystheemploymentdistributionoftransportationjobsbyrace,illustratingthelargestpercentagesofAfrican-Americansintransportationareworkinginlower-wagejobssuchasvehiclecleanersandlaborers.ThegoalmustbetoincreasetheAfrican-Americanpercentagesinhighwagejobssuchasaircraftpilotingandmechanics,whichareonlyinthesingledigits.

2014 Employment in Transportation Jobs by Race (Annual Averages)

TheFASTActallocates$100millionoverthefive-yearlifespanofthebilltotheOn-the-JobTrainingSupportiveServicesProgram(OJT-SS)andtheDisadvantagedBusinessEnterprisesSupportiveServices

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Program(DBE-SS).Theseprogramsaredesignedtofosterthetraininganddevelopmentofsurfacetransportation-relatedworkforcesandtosupportdisadvantagedbusinessenterprises(DBEs)withintheFederalHighwayAdministration.23Stateagenciesarerequiredtoestablishapprenticeshipprogramsthattargetwomen,minorities,anddisadvantagedindividualsintopositionsinordertofillthetransportationworkforcewiththosethathavebeenhistoricallyunderrepresentedinthisspace.WithintheFederalTransitAdministration,atotalof$45millionisallocatedbetweentwoprograms:TechnicalAssistance,StandardsDevelopmentandHumanResourcesandTraining;andtheNationalTransitInstitute.Thepurposeisto(1)addressworkforceneedswithinthepublictransportationindustrythroughthedevelopmentandimplementationofaworkforcedevelopmentprogram,and(2)conducttrainingandeducationalprogramssupportingthepublictransportationindustry.24Theseprograms,ifimplementedcorrectlyandwithaspecificgoalinmind,canmakeasignificantimpactinbothmakingtheworkforceyoungerandmakingitmorediverseinthehigherwagejobs.

Transportation Alternatives Program/Surface Transportation Block Grant Set Aside

TheTransportationAlternativesProgram(TAP)wasinitiallyestablishedinMAP-21in2012.TheprogramconsolidatedtheSafeRoutestoSchool,RecreationalTrails,andtheTransportationAlternativesintooneprogram.TheFASTActeliminatesthisprogramandreplacesitwiththeSurfaceTransportationBlockGrantsSetAside.TheSurfaceTransportationBlockGrantsProgramconsistsofover$56billioninfundingoverthefiveyearsofthebillthatisdividedbetweenthestatesforthemtouseontransportation-focusedprojects.25$4.2billionofthatmoneyissetasideforprogramssuchaspedestrianandbicyclefacilities,recreationaltrails,SafeRoutestoSchoolprojects,communityimprovementssuchashistoricpreservationandvegetationmanagement,andenvironmentalmitigationrelatedtostormwaterandhabitatconnectivity.26TheTAPiscurrentlythelargestsourceoffundingforbikingandpedestrianprogramsandhassupportedmanyprogramsinmultipleU.S.citiessuchasChicago,LosAngeles,andNewYorkCity.Theconsolidationoftheseprogramsweredecriedbyalternativetransportationsupporters.Theypositedthattheconsolidationwouldeventuallyresultinlostfundingthatwouldmaintainsidewalks,buildnewbikelanes,mitigateenvironmentalimpactsoftransportationprojects,andensurethesafetyofyoungchildrenastheywalkedtoschool.Furthermore,theFASTActalsoallowedupto50percentoftheallocatedfundingtobetransferredtootherSurfaceTransportationBlockGrantprograms.Thiswasevenmoredisappointingtoadvocatesbecausetheyenvisionedthatmanycitieswouldnotprioritizebikingorsafewalkingintheirtransportationplans,insteadfunnelingthemoneytoroadsandbridges.FortheAfrican-Americancommunity,theswitchtoaSet-AsidefortheTransportationAlternativesProgramispotentiallyworrisome.AsAfrican-Americansare60percentmorelikelytobeinvolvedinapedestrianaccidentthanwhites,theimportanceofbuildingandmaintainingsafe,walkablesidewalksis23FederalHighwayAdministration.(2016).WorkforceDevelopmentandDisadvantagedBusinessEnterprises.Retrievedfromhttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/fastact/factsheets/workforcedbefs.cfm.24FederalTransitAdministration.(n.d.).FactSheet,TechnicalAssistanceandWorkforceDevelopment.Retrievedfromhttps://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/5314_Technical_Assistance_and_Workforce_Development_Fact_Sheet_0.pdf.25FederalHighwayAdministration.(2016).SurfaceTransportationBlockGrantProgram.Retrievedfromhttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/fastact/factsheets/stbgfs.pdf.26FederalHighwayAdministration.(2016).TransportationAlternativesProgram.Retrievedfromhttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/fastact/factsheets/transportationalternativesfs.pdf

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ofutmostimportance.Ifcitiesdecidetotakeasignificantportionofthe50percenttoputintootherprojects,sidewalkswouldcontinuetobeunsafeandthehighnumbersofpedestrianaccidentsanddeathswouldnotchange.Furthermore,African-Americanbikeadvocateshavebeenlobbyingforbikeinfrastructuretoencouragethecommunitytoembracebikingmore.OrganizationslikeBlackWomenBikeandRed,Bike,andGreenencourageAfrican-Americanstocultivatehealthyhabitsofregularbicycling.ThepotentialreductionoffundingfromtheconsolidationoftheTransportationAlternativesProgramintoaSet-Asidecouldhindersuchprogress.Conclusion

TheFASTActisasignificantlegislativemilestoneasitprovidesastablesetoffundingfortransportationandinfrastructureprojectsforthenextfiveyearsandhopestoassistinrebuildingthenation’spublictransitsystems,providetrainingandworkforcedevelopmentinthetransportationandconstructionindustries,andsupportalternativetransportationmodessuchasbikingandwalking.TheAfrican-Americancommunityisaffectedinmanywaysbytheseprograms,andthereforeitisoftheutmostimportancethatthecommunityisawareoftheActandunderstandshowtheseprogramswillbeimplementedinthecommunity.However,theimplementationoftheActisupintheairwithDonaldTrumpasPresident.Thecurrentadministration,followinginthestepsoftheSolutionsManualdevelopedbytheHeritageFoundation27,strippedfederalfundingforpublictransitandseverelycurtailedfundingforpassengerrailinitsbudgetproposalpresentedinMay2017.OnlytimewilltelliftheFASTActsurvivesthenextbudgetcycle. RecommendationsofInterest

Policies

1. ThenewinfrastructuretoutedbyPresidentTrumpshouldmaintainthefederalgovernment’sroleinpublictransitasmentionedintheFASTAct.

2. TheshareoffundingallottedtopublictransitshouldincreasesignificantlytohelpadequatelysupportprogramsliketheUrbanizedBusSystemandBUYAMERICAinitiative.

3. IncentivestoensurethatcontractsareadequatelybeingbidbyminorityconstructionbusinessesandthatthosecontractsarebeingrewardedtotherightdemographicshouldbeplacedintheAct.Furthermore,thereshouldbeprogramstooverseeenforcementofthecontracts.

Programs

1. Toimprovetheabilityofpublictransitsystemstofunction,theBusandBusFacilitiesandFixedGuidewayCapitalInvestmentprogramshouldreceivesignificantlymorefunding.

2. TheSetAsidefromthepreviousTransportationAlternativesProgramshouldbefundedatavaluethatbikeandpedestrianadvocatesfeelissuitabletoprovideopportunitiestobuildbikelanesineverycityandrepairsidewalkstostate-of-good-repairlevels.

3. TheU.S.DepartmentofTransportationshouldmaintainprogramsinthebillthatthecommunitycanutilizetomaketransportationmoreaccessibleandcitiessafer-suchastheTransportationInvestmentGeneratingEconomicRecovery(TIGER)competitivegrantprogram,whichprovides

27HeritageFoundation.(n.d.).SolutionsManual.Retrievedfromhttp://solutions.heritage.org/wp-content/themes/heritage/pdf/Solutions-2016.pdf.

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$500millioningrantstofocusoncapitalprojectsthatgenerateeconomicdevelopmentandimprovesaccesstoreliable,safeandaffordabletransportationfordisconnectedcommunities.28

Practice

1. CommunitymembersshouldexploretheDepartmentofTransportation’sFASTActwebsitetolearnaboutthebillanditsstatutes.Bylearningaboutthebill,thecommunitycanensurethatgovernmentofficialsareaccountableinmeetingthegoalsforworkforcedevelopment,transitexpansionandmaintenance,orminoritycontracting.

28DepartmentofTransportation.(2017).TIGERDiscretionaryGrants.Retrievedfromhttp://www.transportation.gov/tiger

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