Highways, transit or trails- who decides what gets funded?
Most people don’t deeply ponder how the road-widening construction work that slows down their daily commute is funded, or where the money comes from when a long-awaited bike trail is finally built in their community. But if you’re interested in reducing climate pollution in Virginia, nearly half of which is caused by transportation, it’s worth your while to learn about one important source of funding that you can help influence: SMART SCALE.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) created the System for the Management and Allocation of Resources for Transportation (SMART SCALE) program in 2016, to help guide the CTB’s project selection decisions. Since then, nearly $7 billion has been appropriated to transportation projects. Here’s how it works: localities submit their roadway, transit and multimodal trail projects to SMART SCALE. Each project is scored on data-driven factors including:
- Congestion mitigation
- Economic development
- Accessibility
- Safety
- Environmental quality
- Land use
Awards are granted biennially, and after each round of funding, the process is reviewed. All project evaluations and scores are available to the public to ensure that decisions are based on merit rather than political influence. You can view which projects have been funded at smartscale.org.
The CTB is currently reviewing the SMART SCALE process, and this year’s recommendations are expected to be released on October 17. A virtual town hall to discuss the recommendations will be held this fall. The review should result in recommendations that increase equity and sustainability and help meet environmental goals, but it is possible the recommendations could negatively impact trail and transit funding; e.g., land use considerations could be reduced or eliminated. That’s why your input is important. You can advocate for a SMART SCALE process that’s equitable and focused on reducing climate pollution by attending the Town Hall, and contacting your state delegates and senators to tell them that:
- Greenhouse gas emissions should factor into SMART SCALE. Road-widening projects draw more vehicles, increasing tailpipe pollution. Trail and transit projects reduce pollution from vehicles.
- Prioritizing bike and pedestrian projects positively impacts public health. Investing in safer and more accessible walking and cycling infrastructure can be viewed as an investment in the well-being of Virginia's residents. Such investments underscore the importance of equity and accessibility in transportation planning. Not everyone can afford a car, and not all communities have equal access to public transit. By investing in biking and walking infrastructure, the state can ensure that transportation options are available to all, regardless of income or location.
- Land use and transportation are inextricably linked; therefore, land use should be an important consideration in the SMART SCALE process. For example, it makes sense to fund transit projects that include accessible pathways to bus and train stations in densely populated areas.
- Pedestrian-friendly streets and bike paths can revitalize communities, making them more attractive places to live and visit. Increased foot traffic often leads to higher retail sales and property values, boosting local economies.
If you go to smartscale.org and look at the list of projects submitted by localities, you will see that the majority are for road building and widening. If more bike and pedestrian projects were submitted, more would likely be funded. Start talking to your county supervisors or city/town councilmembers about submitting bike and pedestrian projects, including safer pedestrian crossings on busy roads, for the next round of SMART SCALE funding. Transportation planning can take years. Today’s decisions affect the future, so now is the time to speak up.
SMART SCALE should prioritize projects that align with state and local environmental goals. By prioritizing bike/pedestrian infrastructure and transit, Virginia can set an example for other states while creating a healthier, more sustainable future for its residents and generations to come. By investing in the well-being of Virginia's communities, SMART SCALE can be even smarter.