Section 5304, Statewide Transportation Planning Program
Section 5304 funds are apportioned annually to the states for use in rural planning and research. Other eligible uses, at the state's discretion, include statewide planning and other technical assistance activities, planning support for non-urbanized areas, research & development, demonstration projects, fellowships for training in the public transportation field, university research, and human resource development. States are encouraged to develop a coordinated program of planning, research, training, and technical assistance, taking Sections 5304, 5311, and RTAP resources into consideration. Examples of state planning activities include Pilot Regional Transportation Connector Services (RTCS), ADOT’s Small Area Transportation (SAT) studies, development of statewide and regional rail planning strategies and multi-modal plans, as well as the identification of public transportation alternatives. A State Transportation Board directive initiated the Regional Transportation Connector Services (RTCS) pilot program. The intent of the RTCS Program is to provide four three-year pilot projects for needed public transportation services between a rural community and an urbanized environment. Each of the current Pilot RTCS Projects utilizes funding from the State and FTA as local match to support rural communities in need of public transportation services. These public transportation connector services are made available by ADOT so residents in rural communities can commute to urban areas for employment, medical appointments, shopping, education, and other services. Current RTCS programs include: Ajo to Gila Bend to Phoenix Pilot RTCS FTA funding utilized for this project is through the Section 5311 and 5316 grant programs. The total match money awarded for this project was $300,000 (three year pilot). Services began March of 2005 and the match funding agreement for the three year pilot period expired March of 2008. Green Valley/Sahaurita to Tucson Pilot RTCS FTA funding utilized for this project is through the Section 5311 grant program. Total match money awarded for this project is $300,000 (three year pilot). Services began February 2006. Wellton to Yuma Pilot RTCS FTA funding utilized for this project is through the Section 5307 Urbanized Area program. Total match money awarded for this project is $150,000 (three year pilot). Services began February 2006. Kachina Village to Flagstaff Pilot RTCS FTA funding utilized for this project is through the Section 5307 Urbanized Area program. The total match money awarded for this project is $150,000 (three year pilot). Services began May 2006. The Section 5304 Transit Planning Program Manager is Mr. Matt Carpenter. The Section 5304 Rail Planning Manager is Mr. Scott Friedson.
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