The word “new” refers to how a project is developed and executed. A new fixed guideway capital project is defined in 49 U.S.C. 5309(a)(5) to be: (A) a fixed guideway project that is a minimum operable segment or extension to an existing fixed guideway system; or (B) a fixed guideway bus rapid transit project that is a minimum operable segment or an extension to an existing bus rapid transit system.

When applying for TOD funding, potential applicants are encouraged to describe how their project meets this requirement.

Examples of completed TOD planning studies that highlight a new fixed guideway capital project are displayed on FTA’s TOD GIS dashboard: TOD Planning Study (2015-2021) Projects

Section 5309(a)(2) of Title 49 of the U.S. Code defines a core capacity improvement project as “a substantial corridor-based capital investment in an existing fixed guideway system that increases the capacity of a corridor by not less than 10 percent. The term does not include project elements designed to maintain a state of good repair of the existing fixed guideway system.” 

An example(s) of a core capacity improvement project currently in FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program is shown here: https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grant-programs/capital-investments/current-capital-investment-grant-cig-projects. Note that core capacity improvement projects do not need to be in the CIG program in order for applicants to apply for TOD Pilot Program funds.

Possibly. FTA recommends that applications for transit projects still in the planning phase include information on their supplemental form regarding the project’s transit mode, alignment, and preliminary station locations, for this will allow FTA to understand the study area. Applicants who submit a supplemental form describing projects that are undefined and early in the planning phase are less competitive, as described in section 3 (Other Evaluation Criteria) of the NOFO.

Funds available from the TOD Pilot Program may not be used for transit project development activities that would be reimbursable under an FTA capital grant, such as project planning, the design and engineering of stations and other facilities, or environmental analyses needed for the transit capital project.

Yes. Applications for TOD Pilot Program grants that plan to convert an existing shared right-of-way BRT to a new fixed guideway BRT (where at least 50% of the alignment is in a separated right-of-way for the exclusive use of public transportation during peak periods) are eligible. The application should clearly describe the proposed transit project and how it meets the definition of a new fixed guideway BRT.    

No. However, please note that only one application can be submitted per corridor. Submitting one application for multiple corridors will result in the application being marked ineligible, per section C. Eligibility Information in the NOFO. If multiple stations are identified in an application, stations must be adjacent to each other and on the same corridor.

While the NOFO does not specify a timeframe for completion of the proposed work, most past  applications have displayed a commitment to complete the work in a two- or three-year timeframe. If the proposed comprehensive planning work is expected to take longer than three years, applicants should clearly state how long they expect the work to take and the reasons to support the duration in the application.

No. There is no requirement that projects selected for a TOD Pilot Program award must be in the CIG program currently or receive CIG funding in the future.

However, FTA does seek to fund projects that qualify for TIFIA 49 and RRIF TOD financing program(s) once the TOD planning study is complete. For more information on the USDOT-BAB programs, please refer to the USDOT Build America Bureau page at Build America Bureau (transportation.gov)

Yes. However, if an applicant is proposing additional comprehensive TOD planning work on the same project corridor, the application must describe how the proposed work plan differs from the previously funded work plan.

Possibly. Applicants must be either the sponsor of an eligible transit capital project or an entity with land use planning authority. Applicants also must have been existing FTA grant recipients (either direct or designated recipients) as of 08/08/2023. Most of the previously selected applications have had a transit provider as the grantee, with clear information provided on their partnerships with one or more land use planning entities in the corridor.

POSSIBLY. Some of the previous awards have gone to MPOs that technically do not have the ability to apply for a variance to change the zoning code for a corridor. In those instances, applicants clearly described their partnerships with their local transit provider or cities or municipalities with zoning regulation authority, plus their strategy for collaborating for successful TOD planning.

FTA does not publicly post applications it receives for discretionary programs but a list of selected applicants for the seven previous TOD Planning Pilot Program NOFOs can be found here: https://www.transit.dot.gov/TODPilot.