Jarrett Stoltzfus gave a presentation about the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and opportunities for collaboration between the FTA and universities. The FTA supports public transportation programs with a $10 billion annual budget. Current FTA priorities include investing in the economy, improving safety, promoting livable communities, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The FTA views the University Transportation Center program as an important asset and is interested in partnering with universities on research and other efforts.

1. Cou c o U
Council of University
e s ty
Transportation Centers (CUTC)
2010 Summer Meeting
0 0 Su e ee g
Jarrett Stoltzfus
University Transportation Center Liaison
Office of Research, Demonstration and Inno ation
Resea ch Demonst ation Innovation
Federal Transit Administration
US Department of Transportation
College Station, TX
June 7, 2010
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2. Introduction
Jarrett Stoltzfus
Liaison to the University
Transportation Center program
Office of Research, Demonstration and
Innovation
Federal Transit Ad i i t ti
F d lT it Administration
US Department of Transportation
202-493-0361
jarrett.stoltzfus@dot.gov
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3. Overview
• Introduction to the Federal Transit Administration
• The University Transportation Center Program
• Federal Transportation Policy Shifts and Priorities
• C ll b
Collaborative O
i Opportunities with FTA
ii ih
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4. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• FTA is one of ten agencies within the U.S.
Department of Transportation
• FY10 budget: roughly 10 billion dollars
• Staff: roughly 500 full time employees
full-time
– 300 in Washington, DC
– 200 in 10 regional offices

5. FTA’s Roles
• Supports a variety of locally planned,
constructed, and operated public
transportation systems
• “Transit” typically includes buses subways
Transit buses, subways,
light rail, commuter rail, streetcars, monorail,
passenger ferry boats, inclined railways, and
aerial t
i l trams
• Other parts of USDOT handle other
transportation modes
– Freight/Intercity Passenger Rail (Federal Railroad
Administration - FRA)
– Air (Federal Aviation Administration – FAA)
( )
– Road (Federal Highway Administration – FHWA)

6. FTA’s Roles
• Primarily a grant-making agency
• Major grant programs to transit agencies,
metropolitan planning organizations, state
DOTs,
DOTs and other entities as well as
universities.

7. • Universities supported both by the University
Transportation Center program through RITA
and directly by FTA
• FTA has provided $ million to the UTC
p $7
program annually over the last several years.
• Many other universities the recipients of FTA
research or training grants
grants.

8. FTA’s R l
FTA’ Roles
• Capital Investment Grants (roughly 1.6 billion/year)
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– Competitive and discretionary program
– Funds commuter rail, light rail, heavy rail, and bus rapid transit.
– FTA is involved in planning and environmental review as well as
p g
funding.
– Recent examples include:
• Eastside Gold Line extension, (Los Angeles)
• Link Light Rail (Seattle)
• BART extension to San Francisco Airport
(Bay Area)

9. Other Roles
• Formula Grants (roughly 8 billion/year)
– Grants to support capital and operating investments
(buses, rail vehicles, transit facilities) to transit
agencies and metropolitan agencies, and other
entities.
entities
• Research
– Grants for research that supports transit industry needs
such as vehicle technologies and workforce development
• Safety/Security Support
• Civil Rights Compliance
– Titl VI
Title
– Americans with Disability Act
• Other activities supporting the transit industry

10. Current FTA Priorities
• Priority #1: Invest in the Economy
• Priority #2: Improving Surface
Transportation Safety
• Priority #3: Livable and Sustainable
Communities
• Priority #4:
y Reduction in GHG
Emissions
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11. Current FTA Priorities
• Invest in the Economy
– Continue efforts to put people back to work and
reinvigorate the economy
– Make sure there is high quality, reliable
transportation
– Renew and restore transportation infrastructure
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12. Current FTA Priorities
• Improving Surface Transportation Safety
– Continues to be one of the Department’s highest
priorities
– Concerted efforts to improve safety are needed in all
surface transportation modes
– Focus on data-driven, performance-oriented safety
programs
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13. Current FTA Priorities
• Livable and Sustainable Communities
– Identify policy options to improve livability
– Make s e polic is consistent with government-wide
sure policy ith go e nment ide
efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow
the pace of climate change.
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14. Current FTA Priorities
• Reduction in GHG Emissions
– Identify new opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions through research and grant programs like
TIGGER that s ppo t inno ati e p actices at transit
support innovative practices t ansit
agencies.
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15. Livable & Sustainable
Communities Initiative
“Enhance the economic and social well being of all Americans by creating and
Enhance
maintaining a safe, reliable, integrated and accessible transportation network
that enhances choices for transportation users, provides easy access to
employment opportunities and other destinations, and promotes positive effects
on the surrounding community.”
Under the Initiative, Federal policy will enable communities to:
• Provide more transportation choices
• Promote equitable and affordable housing
• Enhance economic competitiveness
• Target resources to existing communities
• Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investments
• Value unique characteristics of communities, no matter their
size
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16. FTA Involvement in the Livable and
Sustainable Communities Initiative
• FTA supports livability and sustainability
• As the agency that supports mass transit, FTA is well-
positioned to be a leader in the Livable and Sustainable
Communities Initiative
• All of FTA’s programs work to enhance the livability of
f FTA’ kt h th li bilit f
communities by providing transportation options for
communities across the country
• FTA’s grant programs provide flexibility for communities to
FTA s
make investments in transit as part of multimodal
transportation networks
– Improved facilities for walking and bicycling
– TOD
• FTA’s support of livable and sustainable communities also
helps encourage the growth of green jobs.
www.fta.dot.gov/livability/
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17. FTA and the University Transportation Center
program
FTA views the University Transportation Center
program as an significant asset to the
transportation industry
– Critical mass of transit and transportation research
expertise for the industry
– UTC enable connections b t
UTCs bl ti between universities,
i iti
transit agencies, state departments of
transportation, and other entities
– UTC well connected t th i l
UTCs ll t d to their local communities
l iti
– Important avenue for getting students interested in
transit and transportation as a career

18. Building Partnerships with FTA
• New Administration Priorities
– Building the Economy
– Safety
– Livability
– Environmental Sustainability
– State of Good Repair / Asset Management
– Other issues
• FTA interested and able to offering guidance
staff expertise, and connections to UTCs
interested in pursuing efforts in public
p g p
transportation
• Opportunity to build long-term partnerships
with FTA

19. How FTA Can Help Support You
FTA wants to support you in whatever way
possible!
• Find me during the CUTC Summer Meeting if you are interested in
Meeting,
working further with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
– Guidance or direction in pursuing transit or
p g
transportation research
– Building connections with subject matter experts at FTA
– Seeking better connections/partnerships with transit
agencies or other transit-related entities
– Other opportunities with FTA
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20. Upcoming Opportunities
• Planning a one-day event to bring together
FTA staff and University Transportation
Centers in fall 2010 – please stay tuned!
• Continue to monitor www grants gov for
www.grants.gov
opportunities to come as well.

21. Questions?
Please feel free to contact me at:
202 493 0361
202-493-0361
jarrett.stoltzfus@dot.gov
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