Funding is one of those eternal challenges for communities looking for ways to conduct outreach to local residents on transportation and air quality problems. The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program run by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is one source of funding that many cities, states and regions have turned to for support over the years. In this issue, the DOT's Mike Savonis discusses the CMAQ program.

Question: What is the CMAQ program?

MS: CMAQ is a federal program that funds state and local efforts to reduce air pollution from mobile sources and thereby contribute to the attainment and maintenance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Established in 1992, CMAQ is a "flexible" funding program which allows us to fund a wide variety of innovative transportation projects to reduce emissions.

Question: How does the program work? What are the requirements?

MS: CMAQ funds are apportioned to states based on the severity of their air quality problems and the number of people who live in the problem areas. The program is administered by the Federal Highway and Federal Transit Administrations in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency. But State and local transportation agencies determine their funding priorities. Also, CMAQ is a reimbursable program under which the State is reimbursed for authorized activities.

While the majority of funds have gone toward new transit vehicles, transit infrastructure and ITS programs, education and outreach activities - such as increasing awareness of transportation and air quality connections, advertising alternatives to single occupant vehicle (SOV) travel, and promoting commuter choice options - are also eligible for CMAQ funding. Organizations interested in obtaining CMAQ funding for education and outreach projects should prepare a proposal according to appropriate metropolitan planning organization or state DOT procedures. All proposals must document their emissions benefits and the required 20% funding match from the sponsor before eligibility is determined. Because education, marketing, and other outreach activities are not easy to quantify, the proposal should include an explanation of the emission reduction contribution, even if it is not strictly quantifiable.

Question: Who has used CMAQ funding for public education and for what kinds of activities?

MS: Many communities, including several of the "It All Adds Up" communities have used CMAQ funds for public education with great success. The lead organizations are MPOs, State Departments of Transportation, state and local air agencies, and city government offices. Communities have used CMAQ funds for developing, customizing, and distributing ads and outreach materials; creating and distributing teacher/student educational materials; conducting special events; providing employer incentive programs; and evaluating their program's impacts through pre/post campaign consumer surveys. These have demonstrated increased awareness of the connection between transportation and air quality, as well as changes in attitudes about alternatives to driving alone.

We support education and outreach activities as an essential tool to raise awareness and promote transportation/air quality initiatives. We have seen tremendous creativity under the CMAQ program, and I am sure there are many great ideas that just need some funding to get them off the ground. The best of luck to all of you.