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Safe Routes to School
Funding
The design and construction of physical improvements to the transportation infrastructure require the expenditure of public funds. The
Safe Routes to School Program is not the only source of funding for these types of projects. Some alternate sources are listed below.
Note: The agencies listed below have not agreed to fund a Safe Routes To School program.
Grants are available to police departments to initiate a comprehensive traffic safety program. Under the guidance of a steering committee
or task force at the county level, CTSP funds can be utilized to address a variety of traffic safety issues including impaired driving,
pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, school bus safety, work zone safety, aggressive driving, speed enforcement, occupant protection, and
child passenger safety.
These are Section 402 Safety Funds administered by the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Highway Safety.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation's (NJDOT) County Aid Program provides funding to counties for general design, right of way and road construction. The amount of money
distributed to each of New Jersey’s 21 counties is based on total county road mileage and population.
NJDOT administers this program.
Developed-Provided Facilities 
Many private developers are not required to include bicycle and pedestrian amenities in their designs when a new development is being
planned.
Municipal and County zoning should require developers to provide both on- and off-site pedestrian and bicycle improvements, depending on
road classification and the development density.
The NJDOT Commissioner is the administrator for these state funds. This funding is primarily used to address emergency and regional
needs of counties and municipalities.
The stipulation is that NJDOT will pay 75 percent of the total at the time of the award and then the remaining 25 percent at the time
of completion of the project.
In FY99 more than $10 million had been allocated for bicycle and pedestrian projects in this program.
Counties and municipalities may apply for pedestrian improvements where they benefit areas classified by the Department of Housing and
Urban Development as low or moderate income areas or special needs groups, including the disabled.
New Jersey’s Green Acres program has supplied municipalities and counties with grants and loans to fund pedestrian projects such as
multi-use trails, trail head facilities and school routes through parks.
These funds come from state bond issues. State, county and municipal government may use these monies for to acquire land and develop
facilities.
Green Acres is administered by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
Safety project implementation for states, counties and municipalities can be funded under the Federal Highway Administration’s Surface
Transportation Program (STP) monies. Ten percent of the STP program is used to finance safety-related projects, which can include projects
that directly or indirectly enhance pedestrian safety.
NJDOT is the Administrator.
Local Bicycle/Pedestrian Planning Assistance
NJDOT has multiple consultant teams under contract with expertise in bicycle and pedestrian planning. They may provide bicycle and pedestrian
planning assistance to counties and municipalities that want to develop bicycle/pedestrian facilities.
Local Planning Assistance
Counties and municipalities may use Highway Planning Research or Public Law funds administered through NJDOT.
Local scoping programs for counties and municipalities are administered by Metropolitan Planning Organizations who disperse federal
Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds for the advancement of project proposals through the National Environmental Policy Act.
Through this procedure, the project may then be eligible to be included in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as a “local lead”
project. Counties can apply for this program and undergo a competitive selection process.
Local lead projects are those which have no specific adverse environmental impacts. Counties and municipalities who team with them can
receive STP funds for projects that have been outlined in the TIP and deal with the final design process and construction. Local lead
projects are also selected through a competitive selection process.
Locally Initiated Bicycle Projects
This program is administered by NJDOT’s Division of Local Aid and Economic Development. These funds may be used for roadway improvements
that directly impact potential bicycle travel or for designated bikeways, such as signed routes, bicycle lanes, or multi-use trails.
Projects are evaluated by NJDOT staff and final selection is determined by the Commissioner of Transportation.
Similar to the County Aid Program, the Municipal Aid Program provides funding to New Jersey municipalities.
NJDOT is the administrator.
Municipal Development Impact Fee Authorization Act
This law authorizes municipalities to assess developers for the costs of public infrastructure expansions and improvements necessitated
by their new development. Such impact fees are calculated and charged on an incremental basis, so larger developments, which will have
larger off-site impacts, are assessed more.
Monies through this program can be used by a state, county or municipality for bicycle and pedestrian projects which are on land
directly adjacent to any road of the 155,000 mile national highway or interstate system.
These improvements include incidental improvements within larger projects including elements to improve bicycle compatibility (i.e. paved
shoulders, drainage grating, signed routes) and pedestrian facilities (sidewalks, signals, crosswalks).
It also allows for the funding of independent bicycle and pedestrian projects when projects are along or within the right of way of an NHS
roadway.
The NJDOT is the administrator.
National Recreational Trails Fund
Money is apportioned to the states, counties, municipalities and non-profit groups each year to create and maintain trails. Pedestrian
projects may be included. This money is generated by the sales and taxes from off-road vehicles such as all terrain vehicles, off-road
motorbikes, and snowmobiles.
The program is administered by the Department of Environmental Protection in the Office of Natural Lands Management.
NJDOE’s Office of Grants Management and Development awards Discretionary Grants to selected agencies to address specific education
initiatives. With the exception of grant programs that are designed to be implemented over a number of years, applicants usually compete
for awards annually.
Funding is available to counties, municipalities or districts with a pedestrian safety problem for pedestrian safety education and
enforcement. The education component provides funding for materials to educate high-risk pedestrian groups such as children and senior
citizens. The enforcement component provides overtime funding to police agencies to enforce traffic laws at high-risk pedestrian locations.
Grants are typically given to police departments for program development and implementation through the New Jersey Department of Law and
Public Safety, Division of Highway Safety, Section 402 funds.
The funds are allocated to and administered by the states by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
This program has funded programs that improve the safety of the general traveling public in counties and municipalities through the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Pedestrian education and signing and striping of roadways are some examples.
This program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety’s Division of Highway Safety.
Smart Growth Community Schools Planning Grants
Smart Growth Community Schools Planning Grants are targeted to the 30 Abbott school districts and those non-Abbott districts eligible for
55 percent or more in state aid for the eligible costs authorized by the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act.
These school districts and the municipalities in which they are located have the opportunity to develop partnerships and strategies to site
and develop new schools.
These funds are administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
Smart Growth Planning Grants
New Jersey Department of Community Affairs administers $3 million annually in Smart Growth Grants through the state budget to develop
plans that lead to more livable and sustainable communities.
Smart Growth means planning, designing, and building livable communities in ways that make more efficient use of land and infrastructure
improvements and protect the environment and valuable natural resources.
Bicycle and pedestrian projects for a state, county or municipality are eligible to be funded by STP as Transportation Enhancements
(see below) or with general STP program funds. Examples of projects can include both bicycle and pedestrian facilities but also can include
projects regarding the improvement of bicycle and pedestrian ways for compliancy with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
NJDOT is the administrator.
This Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) program focuses on projects for state, county, municipal and non-profit groups that are designed to
promote alternative modes of transportation while preserving and protecting environmental resources.
The results must to promote more livable communities, enhance overall travel experience and promote new transportation partnerships. Ten
percent of Surface Transportation Funds are eligible for Transportation Enhancements.
The Transportation Enhancements program is used for non-traditional transportation uses such as walking and cycling. They include facilities
planning and bicycle and pedestrian safety education programs.
NJDOT is the Administrator.
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