STATUS: ACTIVE PROGRAM CODES:
• 0810 -- SPR, may be used either for planning or for Research, Development, and Technology Transfer (RD&T), FYs 1992-1997
• 0860 -- SPR, mandatory 25 percent for RD&T activities, FYs 1992-1997
• Q550 -- SPR, may be used either for planning or for RD&T, FY 1998-2003
• Q560 -- SPR, mandatory 25 percent for RD&T activities, FY 1998-2003
• H550 -- SPR, may be used either for planning or for RD&T, FY 2004-2005
• H560 -- SPR, mandatory 25 percent for RD&T activities, FY 2004-2005
• L550 -- SPR, may be used either for planning or for RD&T, FY 2006-2009
• L560 -- SPR, mandatory 25 percent for RD&T activities, FY 2006-2009 (SAFETEA-LU)
• L55E -- SPR, may be used either for planning or for RD&T, (SAFETEA-LU Extension – P.L. 111-068)
• L56E -- SPR, mandatory 25 percent for RD&T activities, (SAFETEA-LU Extension – P.L. 111-068)
• M550 – SPR, may be used for planning or for RD&T, (MAP-21 P.L. 112-141)
• M560 – SPR, mandatory 25 percent for RD&T activities, (MAP-21 P.L. 112-141)
FEDERAL SHARE: 80 percent, unless the Secretary determines that the interests of the Federal-aid highway program would be best served by decreasing or eliminating the non-Federal share.
PERIOD AVAILABLE: FY + 3 years
FUND: Highway account of the Highway Trust Fund
FUND DISTRIBUTION METHOD: These funds are a 2 percent set-a-side from certain Federal-aid funds apportioned to a State -- see below.
TYPE OF AUTHORITY: Contract
SUBJECT TO OBLIGATION LIMITATION: Yes
STATUTORY REFERENCE: 23 U.S.C. 505 as amended by MAP-21 Section 52005 CFR REFERENCE: 23 CFR part 420
ELIGIBILITY: As specified in section 505 of 23 U.S.C., SPR funds may be used for:
1. Engineering and economic surveys and investigations.
2. The planning of future highway programs and local public transportation systems and the planning of the financing of such programs and systems, including metropolitan and statewide planning under sections 134 and 135 [of 23 U.S.C.].
3. Development and implementation of management systems under sections 119, 148, 149, and 167 [of 23 U.S.C.].
4. Studies of the economy, safety, and convenience of surface transportation systems and the desirable regulation and equitable taxation of such systems.
5. Research, development, and technology transfer activities necessary in connection with the planning, design, construction, management, and maintenance of highway, public transportation, and
intermodal transportation systems.
6. Study, research, and training on the engineering standards and construction materials for transportation systems described in paragraph (5), including the evaluation and accreditation of inspection and testing and the regulation and taxation of their use.
7. The conduct of activities relating to the planning of real-time monitoring elements.
In addition, SPR funds may be used for the non-Federal share of a University Transportation Research grant under section 5506 of 49 U.S.C. [49 U.S.C. 5506(j)]
BACKGROUND: The Hayden-Cartwright Act of 1934 marked the beginning of the optional use of 1 1/2 percent of Federal-aid funds apportioned for several programs for surveys, planning, and engineering investigations for future highway improvements. This subsequently was broadened to a wider planning
and research program. The Federal-aid Highway Act of 1962 (Public Law 87-866) changed the use of the 1 1/2 percent amount from optional to exclusive and allowed an additional 1/2 percent of Primary,
Secondary, and Urban System funds (PR funds) to be used at a State's option for planning and research purposes. Section 124 of the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 (1987 STURAA, Public Law 100-17) amended 23 U.S.C. 157(c) to allow the States to use up to 1 1/2 percent of their minimum allocation funds for HPR activities. Also, States are allowed to contribute up to 5 1/2 percent (4 1/2 percent prior to FY 1989) of their annual HPR apportionment for research under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). Prior to passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (1991 ISTEA, Public Law 102-240), HPR funds were derived from the sums apportioned for Interstate Construction, Interstate Substitute, Primary, Secondary, Interstate 4R, Urban, and Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation programs.
Prior to FY 1983 the maximum percentage for Federal participation was determined in accordance with clause (A) or (B) of 23 U.S.C. 120(a) and was based on the relative amounts of Interstate and non- Interstate funds apportioned for the year. Beginning in FY 1983, a standard Federal share of 85 percent was established for the HPR program by Section 156 of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (1982 STAA, Public Law 97-424). The 1982 STAA also provided that the sliding scale rates for States with large areas of public lands were applicable to HPR.
The 1991 ISTEA continued the HPR program but renamed it State Planning and Research (SPR), increased the set-a-side to 2 percent, and changed the matching ratio to 80 percent for all States. Beginning in FY 1992, SPR funds were set-a-side from the sums apportioned to the States for the Interstate Construction (through FY 1996), Interstate Substitution (through FY 1996), Interstate
Reimbursement (beginning in FY 1996), Interstate Maintenance (IM), National Highway System (NHS), Surface Transportation (STP) (including Hold Harmless and 90 percent of Payment Adjustment funds transferred to the STP), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ), and Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation (HBRR) programs. In addition, up to 1 1/2 percent of a State's Minimum Allocation (MA) and any amount of NHS and STP funds may be used for SPR activities.
With enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), the SPR program was moved to section 505 of new Chapter 5 of Title 23 United States Code. From FY 1998 through FY 2004, SPR funds were 2 percent of the funds apportioned/allocated to a State for the IM, NHS, STP, CMAQ, and HBRR programs and the Minimum Guarantee (MG) program which replaced the MA and other ISTEA equity programs. Eligible activities remained unchanged.
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) added the conduct of activities relating to the planning of real-time monitoring elements. Beginning with FY 2005, SPR funds were 2 percent of the funds apportioned/allocated to a State for the IM, NHS, STP, CMAQ, and HBRR programs, the new Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), and the Equity Bonus (EB) program which replaced the TEA-21 MG program.
Beginning in FY 1992, at least 25 percent of the SPR funds apportioned annually must be used for the research, development, and technology transfer activities described above, unless the State certifies that total expenditures for transportation planning will exceed 75 percent of the amount of such funds and the FHWA concurs.
The program was continued through the SAFETEA-LU Extensions.
The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21, P.L. 112-141) sec 52005 amended 23 U.S.C. 505. The funds are now a 2% set-aside from the National Highway Performance Program, Surface Transportation Program, Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program. In addition to amending eligible activities (listed above) the section provides that a State shall make available to the Secretary, to carry out implementation of Future Strategic Highway Research Program findings and results, a percentage of funds apportioned to that State, that is agreed to by ¾ of States for each of fiscal years 2013 and 2014.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact the Office of Planning (HEPP) or the Office of Research, Development, and Technology (HRPD).