Improving Access to the Transportation Alternatives Program for Rural Communities

Abstract

Rural small towns with small main streets and compact downtown development can be ideal locations to create walkable communities. The Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention (CDC)’s High Obesity Program (HOP) funds Cooperative Extension programs to implement strategies to improve food access and support active transportation in high obesity (often rural) counties. The Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter HOP program had previously partnered with rural low-income communities to create Complete Streets plans but was challenged to find ways to implement those plans. A technical assistance webinar through the CDC provided by Safe Routes Partnership made the LSU AgCenter HOP team aware of new flexibility in the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), a primary source for federal formula funding for bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Through ongoing engagement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the local cost responsibility for the TAP for towns under 5,000 decreased from a previous approximate 40% cost burden to 5%, making TAP an accessible program for many rural communities. This paper describes how public health partnerships can improve access to active transportation funding. Although each state follows federal guidelines for the TAP program, there is substantial variation in state processes and local match requirements, which creates an opportunity for public health professionals to engage with state department of transportations to improve equity in TAP.