REPORT TO BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Transportation Development Act/Transportation Fund for Clean Air Funding Recommendations (Chan)
Report
BACKGROUND
Transportation Development Act
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission administers the Transportation Development Act Article 3 (TDA) program that is funded by a quarter-cent State sales tax. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is designated to administer the program funds allocated to local agencies in Santa Clara County.
This program is limited to fund the design and construction of improvements for bicycles or pedestrians. This includes bicycle lanes, signage, curb ramps, crosswalk enhancements, pedestrian-scale lighting, and sidewalks.
Transportation Fund for Clean Air
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District oversees the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) grant program that is funded by a $4 surcharge on motor vehicles registered in the Bay Area. The VTA is designated to administer part of the program funds to local agencies in Santa Clara County.
Eligible uses for this grant must go towards reducing motor vehicle emissions, through things such as zero emission vehicles, bicycle projects, ridesharing programs, transit programs, and traffic signal timing.
DISCUSSION
Transportation Development Act
The VTA released a Call-for-Projects on February 26, 2024 for the FY 2024/25 funding cycle. The application deadline is May 24, 2024, and the funding must be spent prior to June 2027.
In the previous funding cycle, the City was allocated $105,000 in Category 2 guaranteed funding and with Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) support, applied to use these funds to support the installation of curb ramps in the City.
For this funding cycle, staff is recommending that TDA Category 2 allocated funding of $192,000 be used to implement additional curb ramps in the City. Two alternatives are listed below:
1. Apply for FY 2024/25 funds to construct curb ramps at priority locations listed in the Pedestrian Master Plan or other priority locations in the City. The specific locations would be identified during the 2025 cycle of the existing Annual Curb Ramp Installation Project.
2. Do not apply for FY 2024/25 funds, “bank” the funds, and apply to use the funds during a future funding cycle. This action has historically been chosen to fund a larger future project.
Staff recommends Alternative 1 and BPAC is encouraged to discuss and provide comments on TDA funding priorities.
Transportation Fund for Clear Air
The VTA released a Call-for-Projects in February 2024 for the TFCA FY 2024/25 funding cycle. Approximately $2.5 Million in grant funds are available to award for Fiscal Year 2024/25. The application submittal deadline was March 15, 2024.
On November 20, 2023, the City and Silicon Valley Power launched an on-demand all electric vehicle fleet micro-transit program, Silicon Valley (SV) Hopper in partnership with the City of Cupertino (<https://city.ridewithvia.com/hopper>). SV Hopper expands transit options for the South Bay community in a safe, affordable, and efficient manner while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions and congestion. The micro-transit program offers a user-friendly rideshare service through a dedicated app, providing convenient transportation throughout Cupertino and the southern half of Santa Clara. Service expansion is planned for 2026 to the northern half of Santa Clara and to specific destinations beyond the city limits. The program will operate for a four-year period. During this time, the City will assess the viability of a long-term micro-transit program.
Santa Clara’s micro-transit program service area is funded by Silicon Valley Power and California State Transportation grant for approximately two of the four years of the program. Remaining program funding has not been secured. City of Cupertino, with support from City of Santa Clara, applied for the TFCA YF 2024/25 grant to augment the remaining SV Hopper program funding needs for both cities.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Approve Alternative 1 to apply for the FY 2024/25 TDA funding cycle to construct curb ramps at priority locations listed in the Pedestrian Master Plan or other priority locations in the City; and
2. Receive TFCA FY 2024/25 grant program update.
Staff
Written by: Steve Chan, Transportation Manager, Public Works
Approved by: Michael Liw, Assistant Director/City Engineer, Public Works