FY 2012 - 2021 Statewide
Transportation Improvement Program

Glossary

• Section 1: Capital Investment Strategy Categories/Asset Categories
• Section 2: Core Mission
• Section 3: Phases of Work
• Section 4: Funding Categories

  a. NJDOT
  b. NJT

• Section 5: Metropolitan Planning Organizations
• Section 6: Air Quality Codes

Section 1: Capital Investement Strategy Categories/Asset Categories

Bridge Assets

Projects under this classification designed to keep existing bridges functioning and in a state of good repair, including work which rehabilitates or replaces existing bridges to current design standards. Examples of work included within this classification are:

• Bridge rehab and replacement
• Bridge deck rehab and replacement
• Bridge capital maintenance
• Bridge management
• Dams

Road Assets

Projects under this classification designed to keep the existing highway system functioning and in a state of good repair, including work which upgrades segments of the system to current design standards (e.g. safety treatments that are part of a general roadway project such as signs, guiderail, barrier curb, traffic signals as opposed to individual line-item programs that exclusively include signs or traffic signals only). Examples of work included in this classification are:

• Resurfacing
• Highway Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
• Pavement Management System
• Drainage Management
• Landscape
• Environmental Remediation

Mass Transit Assets

This classification includes light rail, rail and bus physical assets required to bring the transit system to a state-of-good-repair. Categories within this classification include:

• Track
• Structures
• Electric Traction
• Signaling
• Rolling Stock, rail cars and buses
• Rail Stations, bus terminals, shelters

Airport Assets

Administration of NJ Aviation System: Public Use Airports that consists of a complex system of facilities operated by State, County, Municipal and private entities. This classification includes work that is anticipated to preserve, maintain and improve NJ Aviation facilities for the development of an efficient air transportation system that responds to the needs of its users and the public.

Transportation Support Facilities Assets

Projects under this classification designed to preserve, maintain and improve physical plant infrastructure including office buildings, rest areas, maintenance facilities, toll plazas and existing park and ride locations. Bus stops and train stations are included under Mass Transit Assets.

Safety Management

“Safety First” is further reflected in several other NJDOT supported projects that utilize the 4E’s (Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Emergency Medical Services (quicker response and care) and other measures to enhance safety and reduce crashes. Safety programs aimed at reducing the frequency and severity of crashes and promoting the all-round engineering, education, and enforcement approach of Safety First. Examples of safety management programs are:

• Intersection Improvement Program
• Safe Corridors
• Accident Reduction
• Cross Median Crash Prevention
• Rail Highway Grade Crossing, Cape May
• Rail Highway Grade Crossing, State
• Rail Highway Grade Crossing, Federal
• Train Preemption for Traffic Signals North
• Safety Projects
• Safety Capital Maintenance
• Betterments, Safety
• Restriping Program
• Traffic Signal Replacement
• Safety Management System
• Motor Vehicle Crash Records
• Rockfall Mitigation

Congestion Relief

This classification encompasses work that improves the flow of people and goods along transportation corridors. Specific programs under this heading include highway operational improvements, bottleneck widening, missing links, major widening, intelligent transportation systems and travel demand management.

Multimodal Programs

This classification includes work that addresses improvements/provisions for alternative modes of transportation. Program categories within this classification include goods movement, bicycle/pedestrian, ferries, paratransit, intermodal connections, rail, maritime and other modes.

Local Systems Support

This classification provides for development and implementation of transportation improvements on the local roadway network. Examples of program categories within this classification are local aid to counties and local aid to municipalities, bicycle/pedestrian, regional planning and project development.

Section 2: Core Mission

Local Aid

Programs, projects, good and services directly related to supporting transportation improvements on the county or municipal transportation network.

State of Good Repair and Safety

Programs, projects, goods and services directly related to preserving infrastructure and improving safety.

Program Delivery

Programs, goods and services that support more than one of the other core missions or are not directly attributable to one of the other core missions.

Transportation Services

Programs, goods and services that directly relate to making the state more economically competitive by improving the mobility of people and goods, and improving the quality of life.

Section 3: Phases of Work

Capital Acquisition (CAP)

Term used to denote the acquisition of rolling stock by NJ TRANSIT. Statewide Investment (SWI)—NJ TRANSIT uses this designation to describe a series of coordinated smaller-scale projects in multiple locations, and in multiple phases of work, that address a specific mobility issue.

Concept Development (CD, LCD)

The Concept Development Phase purpose is to identify and compare reasonable alternatives and strategies that address a well-defined and well-justified Purpose and Need Statement and select a Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA). The PPA is selected based on several factors, including environmental impacts, constructability, cost effectiveness, and if the project can be constructed in a timely manner. This phase involves data collection, internal and external stakeholder coordination, and alternatives analysis. Along with the PPA, key products that are produced in this Phase include the Purpose and Need Statement, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Classification, and the Concept Development Report. CD denotes NJDOT Concept Development Phase; LCD denotes concept development by a local entity (MPO, county, municipality).

Construction (CON)

A phase or type of work involving the actual building of a project.

Final Design (DES)

The purpose of the Final Design Phase is to produce the project’s construction contract documents (i.e., Final Plans, Specifications, and Cost Estimate (PS&E) for use in soliciting bids from prospective contractors, and advancing the project to the Construction Phase. This Phase includes the continuation and completion of environmental and engineering tasks initiated in the Preliminary Engineering Phase, such as roadway design, bridge design, right of way and access engineering, utility engineering, environmental permits and clearances, and community outreach. The completion of those tasks will involve various internal and external project stakeholders. Stakeholder coordination ranges from onboard project review meetings with internal offices to efforts with local officials, the general public and other State and federal agencies. Efforts with the public and local officials are guided by a project-specific public involvement action plan. The Final Design Phase is completed when the project is authorized for construction, which initiates the Construction Phase of project delivery.

Design and Construction (EC)

Funding is provided for both design and construction costs.

Design and Right of Way (ER)

Funding is provided for both design and right of way costs.

Design, Right of Way and Construction (ERC)

Funding is provided for design, right of way, and/or construction costs.

Feasibility Assessment (FA, LFA)

A phase of work intended to develop feasible project proposals that produce the best balance among transportation needs, environmental values, public concerns and costs. The end products of scoping are: a recommended scheme with a realistic cost estimate; an approved environmental document; reasonable assurance that environmental permits can be obtained; community support, or documentation explaining why such support cannot reasonably be obtained; and identification of right of way (ROW) needs and costs. Scoping consists of two phases in NJDOT: Feasibility assessment and final scope development. FA denotes feasibility assessment by NJDOT; LFA denotes local feasibility assessment by a local entity (MPO, county, municipality).

Preliminary Engineering (PE, LPE)

The Preliminary Engineering Phase involves performing engineering tasks and technical environmental studies to obtain formal community consensus (through a public information center) of the study and to secure the approval of the environmental document. If a design exception is necessary on a project, preparation and approval of the Design Exception Report will occur during this Phase. During the Preliminary Engineering Phase a number of activities are simultaneously set in motion based on the PPA such as community involvement (meetings with affected property, business owners), agency consultation, environmental documentation, design level mapping, and the development of geometric design. PE denotes NJDOT Preliminary Engineering Phase; LCD denotes preliminary engineering by a local entity (MPO, county, municipality).

Preliminary Design (PD, LPD)

Preliminary design is the process of advancing preliminary engineering and obtaining formal community and environmental approval of the Initially Preferred Alternative. PD denotes preliminary design by NJDOT; LPD denotes local preliminary design by a local entity (MPO, county, municipality).

Planning Study (PLS)

A phase or type of work involving traffic studies needs analyses, corridor studies, and other work preparatory to project development. See also “Concept Development.”

Project Development (PRD)

A phase or type of work used by NJ TRANSIT which is intended to develop feasible project proposals that produce the best balance among transportation needs, environmental values, public concerns and costs.

Problem Screening (PS)

The Problem Screening Phase is the entrance into the delivery process for any potential project. The Phase purpose is to investigate a potential transportation problem. A potential problem is developed into a Problem Statement (PS) and submitted to Capital Investment Strategies (CIS). The sources of the Problem Statement may include NJDOT Management Systems, Planning Studies, a Metropolitan Planning Organization, or internal and external stakeholders. This Phase involves a Tier 1 Screening, a Tier 2 Screening or a Management System Initiative Screening. If the problem is validated, a recommendation is advanced for review and approval by the Capital Program Screening Committee (CPSC) and the Capital Program Committee (CPC).

The objective of the Problem Screening Phase is to effectively, efficiently, and consistently screen transportation problems in agreement with the Statewide Capital Investment Strategy (SCIS) and project prioritization criteria. Achieving this goal is expected to produce selective proposals that are consistent with the SCIS performance related goals, objectives and investment targets for potential advancement while conforming to State and federal requirements.

Right of Way (ROW)

A phase or type of work in which the land needed to build a project is purchased.

Utility (UTIL)

In some cases, the utility relocation work associated with a project must be programmed separately from the actual construction phase of work. These items are shown under the “Utility” category.

Section 4: Funding Categories

a. NJDOT Funding Categories

Bridge

This federal-aid funding category provides funds for the rehabilitation or replacement of bridges defined as structurally deficient and/or functionally obsolete according to federal definitions.

Bridge-Off

This federal-aid funding category provides funds for the rehabilitation or replacement of bridges defined as structurally deficient and/or functionally obsolete according to federal definitions. This funding is used for bridges that are off the federal-aid system.

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)

This federal-aid funding category was established under the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) to support projects which improve air quality and/or relieve congestion without adding new highway capacity. These funds are especially targeted for states like New Jersey with serious air quality problems.

Demonstration Funds (DEMO)

Federal transportation acts sometime target specific projects in various states in addition to general programs for federal support. This funding category includes “demonstration” funding provided under ISTEA, as well as “high priority project” funding provided under TEA-21 and SAFETEA-LU. These projects, for “demonstration” or “high priority project” funding often have special rules applying to their use.

Equity Bonus Program (EB)

This federal funding category provides funding to states based on equity considerations. These include a minimum rate of return on contributions to the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund, and a minimum increase relative to the average dollar amount of apportionments under TEA-21. Selected states are guaranteed a share of apportionments and High Priority Projects not less than the state’s average annual share under TEA-21. This program replaced TEA-21s Minimum Guarantee Program.

Ferry (FERRY, FERRY FTA, FERRY-FHWA DISC)

Federal funds are allocated for the rehabilitation and/or development of ferry facilities throughout the state.

High Priority Projects (HPP10, HPP20)

Federal transportation acts sometime target specific projects in various states in addition to general programs for federal support. This funding category includes “high priority project” funding provided under SAFETEA-LU. Designated percentages are available each year under the federal legislation. HPP 10 project funding is available at the rate of 10%, 20%, 25%, 25% and 20% for each year of the legislation). HPP 20 project funding is available at the rate of 20% each year of the legislation.

Highway Safety Improvements (HSIP)

The primary purpose of this federal funding category is to establish the policy for development and implementation of a comprehensive highway safety program in each state.

Interstate Maintenance (I-Maint)

This federal-aid funding category provides funds for resurfacing, rehabilitation, and preventive maintenance on the interstate system.

National Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (NBIG)

Federal funds are provided to construct, renovate, and maintain tie-up facilities for vessels that are 26 feet or more in length. Activities eligible for funding are: construction; renovation and maintenance of public and private boating infrastructure tie-up facilities; one-time dredging only between the tie-up facility and the already maintained channel; installation of navigational aids; application of funds to grant administration; and funding preliminary costs.

National Highway System (NHS)

ISTEA created a “national highway system,” consisting of the interstate highway system and other key highway links. The NHS funding category has been established to support improvement projects on this key network.

Other (OTHER)

This represents funding provided from sources other than State or federal funding. Sources could include the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, other State agencies, private developers, counties or municipalities.

PANY-NJ

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey funds.

Planning (PL, PL-FTA)

This federal-aid funding category provides funds for the federally mandated transportation planning process conducted within each Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Rail-Highway Grade Crossing (RHC)

This is a federal funding category which is intended to develop and implement safety improvement projects to reduce the number and severity of crashes at public highway-rail grade crossings. Eligible activities include: signing and pavement markings at crossings; active warning devices; crossing surface improvements; sight distance improvements; grade separations; and the closing and consolidation of crossings.

Recreational Trails (REC TRAILS)

New Jersey’s Recreational Trails Program provides grants to public agencies and non-profit organizations for a variety of trail projects. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry, is the administrator of the program.

Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS)

This federal funding category provides funds to the states to substantially improve the ability of primary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school safely. The program establishes two distinct types of funding opportunities: infrastructure projects (engineering improvements) and non-infrastructure related activities (such as education, enforcement and encouragement programs).

Scenic Byways (SCENIC BYWAY)

This federal funding category recognizes roads having outstanding scenic, historic, cultural, natural, recreational, and archaeological qualities and provides for designation of these roads as National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads or America's Byways.

Statewide Planning and Research (SPR, SPR-FTA)

Federal law requires a percentage of funds allocated to states for highway improvements to be devoted to planning and research activities.

Surface Transportation Program (STP)

The Surface Transportation Program is a federal-aid funding category established under ISTEA, which encompasses funding previously made available under various smaller federal-aid categories as well as a broad, flexible component. Funding must be set aside for safety (STP-SY) and transportation enhancement (STP-TE). Sub-allocations must be made to urbanized and non-urbanized areas (STP-NJ, funding provided to NJTPA; STP-STU, funding provided to DVRPC; STP-SJ, funding provided to SJTPO).

State

The “State” or “TTF” category is used to show the disposition of funding received from the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund.

To Be Determined (TBD)

Funding has not yet been determined for the unconstrained years of the Capital Program.

Various Federal (VAR FEDERAL)

This funding category is used to denote unanticipated allocations of Federal funds, outside the parameters of the regular apportionment process. Until such allocations are made, the exact funding source is not known.

b. NJ TRANSIT Funding Categories

Casino Revenue

Annual allocation of the 8.5% of the Casino Revenue Fund appropriated for transportation services for senior citizen and disabled residents.

COPS (Certificates of Participation)

Funds freed up on existing COPS Notes substituting insurance policy for a cash reserve fund to guarantee payment to the note holders.

CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality)

This federal-aid funding category was established under the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) to support projects which improve air quality and/or relieve congestion without adding new highway capacity. These funds are especially targeted for states like New Jersey with serious air quality problems.

FFGA (Full Funding Grant Agreements)

FFGAs are authorized under Federal transit law and are the designate means for providing new starts funds to projects.

MATCH

These are local funds that are needed to match federal funding (JARC and Section 5311).

METRO-NORTH

This is funding received from the METRO-North transit agency.

NEW FREEDOM (NEWFREE)

The purpose of the New Freedom Program is to provide improved public transportation services, and alternatives to public transportation, for people with disabilities beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

OTHER

Potential federal earmarks or unidentified non-traditional transit funds.

PANY-NJ

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey funds.

Section 5307

Federal Transit Administration Urbanized Area Formula Program, including funding for transportation enhancements (Sect. 5307-TE).

Section 5309

Federal Transit Administration Fixed - Guideway Modernization Program.

Section 5309D

Federal Transit Administration — Federal Congressional earmarks to specific projects.

Section 5310

Programs for Elderly and Persons with Disabilities — federal funds are provided for the purchase of small buses or van-type vehicles with lifts for private or non-profit agencies that serve the elderly and persons with disabilities. (Formerly known as the Section 16 Program).

Section 5311

Non-urbanized Area Formula Program — Federal funding is provided for rural public transportation programs. (Formerly known as the Section 18 Program).

Section 5316

This is a Federal Transit Administration program which provides funding for selected municipal plans that either increase job accessibility for the most disadvantaged members of the population, or facilitate reverse commute movements (offering access to employment outside of the urban centers).

Section 5317

Improved public transportation services, and alternatives to public transportation, for people with disabilities beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

Section 5339

Federal Transit Administration-Federal Congressional earmarks to projects for Alternatives Analysis.

State

The “State” category is used to show the disposition of funding received from the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund.

Surface Transportation Program (STP)

The Surface Transportation Program is a federal-aid funding category established under ISTEA, which encompasses funding previously made available under various smaller federal-aid categories as well as a broad, flexible component. Funding must be set aside for transportation enhancement (STP-TE).

Section 5: Metropolitan Planning Organizations

DVRPC - Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

The MPO covering the counties of Mercer, Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester.

NJTPA - North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority

The MPO covering the counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.

SJTPO - South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization

The MPO covering the counties of Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, and Salem.

Section 6: Air Quality Codes