MAP-21 Legislation Overview

MAP-21 is the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act which was signed into law by President Obama in July of 2012. The Act was set up to reform funding and authorization for federal surface transportation spending in order to promote growth and development of the country’s roadways and transportation systems. $105 billion was allocated to be spent over the fiscal years 2013 and 2014, with the Act going into effect on October 1, 2012 and expiring on October 1, 2014.

Goals of MAP-21

The main goals of MAP-21 are to build needed bridges, roads, and transit systems and to reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities occurring on roadways. The Act also creates many jobs as a bi-product of these goals. The Act contains many statutes regulating commercial vehicle and driver standards to increase safety on roads throughout the United States. The Act also consolidates highway and transit programs to eliminate outdated or duplicate programs.

MAP-21 Legislation

MAP-21 implementation is guided by a series of legislation reforms and programs. These programs attempt to address challenges in the current transportation system. The legislation also addresses funding for needed projects and accountability of progress for programs instituted under the act.

Highway Improvements

MAP-21 seeks to improve the highways of America by strengthening the systems which are currently in place to maintain and upgrade the most important highways. MAP-21 also includes detailed plans to incorporate major roadways which were not previously connected to main thoroughfares. In order to eliminate confusion and streamline processes, the existing highway transportation programs have been revised down to a few core programs.

Safety Improvements

MAP-21 provides additional support for the existing Highway Safety Improvement Program that is enforced by the Department of Transportation. The funding for infrastructure safety was doubled under MAP-21. The program builds on safety efforts such as the fight against distracted driving.

Performance Based Programs

The programs implemented under MAP-21 will be reviewed for performance. The information acquired will be used to discern the most efficient use of funds. This type of firm performance management will help to reduce unnecessary spending while maximizing results.

MAP-21 Program Funding

Funding for MAP-21 is generated without an increase in user fees. MAP-21 outlines how funds will be generated and how they will be distributed. Funds will be generated by implementing certain measures which will save the Department of Transportation money, changing pension plan interest rates, and allowing federal employees to enter into phased retirement. Funds will be distributed to each state based on calculations of the lump sum for each new program divided proportionally.

Sources:

“H.R.4348 — MAP-21 (Enrolled Bill [Final as Passed Both House and Senate] – ENR).” The Library of Congress. The Library of Congress. Web. 13 Sept. 2014. <http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:h.r.4348.enr:>

“MAP-21 – Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act.” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation, 17 Apr. 2014. Web. 12 Sept. 2014. < http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/policy/map-21-moving-ahead-progress-21st-century-act>

“Status of Major FHWA Activities to Implement MAP-21.” U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation, 21 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Sept. 2014. <http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/21oct_implementation.cfm>