TRANSIT PLANNING AND RESEARCH PROGRAM

This article discusses the major new Transit Planning and Research (TPR) Program, established under Title III of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), which will significantly change the nature and content of federal transit research. The TPR Program consists of five fundamental elements: a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) program; a Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP); a state program; a Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP); and a National Program. The TPR Program supports the following key objectives: provide a more reliable funding source; strengthen planning and research; and increase flexibility of planning and research funding.