The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act: Law Explained

Most can agree that transportation infrastructure legislation is complex and often difficult to comprehend.

This article clearly explains the key provisions of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), providing critical insight into this important transportation law.

You will learn about MAP-21's purpose, safety initiatives, federal agency roles, infrastructure funding impacts, public discourse, and long-term outlook under this essential 2012 transportation act.

Introduction to the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, also known as MAP-21, is a critical piece of legislation that was signed into law in 2012. This section will provide an overview of MAP-21, including its purpose, key provisions, and implementation.

Overview and Purpose of MAP-21

MAP-21 aims to reform and strengthen transportation programs in the United States. Its main goals are to create jobs, accelerate economic recovery, and build infrastructure.

Specifically, it seeks to modernize and improve public transportation systems to make them safer, more convenient, affordable, and sustainable. It also aims to accelerate project delivery while maintaining environmental protections.

Overall, MAP-21 strives to invest in vital transportation infrastructure to keep the country globally competitive. It lays the groundwork for long-term job growth by supporting infrastructure construction and maintenance.

Key Provisions and Changes Under MAP-21

MAP-21 makes major changes to existing transportation law in the following key areas:

Project delivery: Sets hard deadlines for federal approval of projects and requires concurrent project reviews by agencies to expedite the process.
Safety: Establishes new safety measures, like minimum standards for transit agency safety plans. Requires stricter oversight of motor coach companies and better disclosure of safety records.
Freight: Requires development of a national freight strategic plan to improve freight transportation. Establishes state freight plans and advisory committees.
Highways: Consolidates highway programs and focuses on key national goals and performance outcomes. Allows wider roads and electronic tolling.
Public transportation: Consolidates transit programs and includes policy reforms to make transit safer, more efficient and reliable. Expands transit-oriented development.
Research and education: Prioritizes investment in transportation research and consolidates existing programs for efficiency.

In total, MAP-21 makes changes to over 100 separate transportation programs. The reforms aim to build a streamlined, performance-based, and multimodal program to strengthen the country's transportation system.

Implementation of MAP-21 by FMCSA and Other Agencies

Various federal agencies play a role in implementing different facets of MAP-21:

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is updating regulations for commercial motor vehicles, buses, and truck drivers.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is modernizing road infrastructure and setting performance measures.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is charged with improving public transportation safety.
Other agencies like the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration are also updating relevant regulations.

The rulemaking and implementation process involves research, public comments, education, and phased timelines. Agencies continue to introduce new proposals and updates years after MAP-21's passage to fully execute its provisions.

Is MAP-21 Still in Effect? Understanding the Transition to the FAST Act

While many MAP-21 programs and reforms remain active, the legislation expired on September 30, 2014.

Its successor, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, built upon MAP-21's changes and was signed into law in 2015. It provides long-term funding certainty for surface transportation infrastructure planning and investment.

So while MAP-21 set the stage, the FAST Act furthered a performance-based, multimodal program for transportation system improvement. MAP-21 reforms and provisions laid the groundwork for the FAST Act to continue progress.

What is the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act of 2012?

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) is a transportation funding bill that was signed into law by President Obama on July 6, 2012. The key aspects of MAP-21 include:

Providing $105 billion in funding for surface transportation programs over fiscal years 2013 and 2014. This includes funding for roads, bridges, transit, safety, and bicycle and pedestrian programs.
Making reforms to federal transportation programs by consolidating certain programs and establishing new performance measures.
Maintaining existing funding levels for state departments of transportation.
Providing states more flexibility in utilizing federal transportation funds while also holding them accountable for improved outcomes and performance.
Promoting accelerated project delivery to encourage faster completion of transportation projects.
Establishing new freight and goods movement programs to improve efficient movement of goods.
Simplifying the approval processes for new transportation projects and setting hard deadlines for federal agencies to make decisions on project approvals.

In summary, MAP-21 aims to create a streamlined, performance-based, multimodal program to address the many challenges facing the U.S. transportation system. It provides needed funds through 2014 while also promoting reforms to make the federal surface transportation more efficient, effective, and accountable.

What is the purpose of MAP-21?

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) was signed into law in 2012 with the key purpose of establishing a performance- and outcome-based program for transportation infrastructure investment.

The objective is for states to allocate resources into projects that collectively make progress towards achieving national transportation goals such as improving infrastructure condition, reducing traffic fatalities, decreasing traffic congestion, and more.

Some of the key features that enable MAP-21 to accomplish this purpose include:

Transition to performance-based planning and programming to ensure targeted investment of federal transportation funds.
Establish national performance goals for federal highway programs to achieve transparency and accountability.
Empower states and local transportation agencies to invest resources in the most impactful projects that make tangible progress against the performance goals.
Set aside funding for freight transportation projects along major national freight corridors to improve freight movement efficiency.

In summary, the overarching purpose of MAP-21 is to institute a national performance management approach to transportation planning and programming to achieve maximum return on federal transportation investments.

Did the Fast Act replace MAP-21?

The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was signed into law in December 2015, replacing the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act that expired in 2014.

The FAST Act made several changes and reforms to federal transportation programs, while also providing long-term funding certainty for surface transportation. Some key aspects regarding the FAST Act's relationship to MAP-21 include:

The FAST Act eliminates the MAP-21 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and replaces it with a set-aside of Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program funding for transportation alternatives (TA).
The FAST Act continues and establishes new freight programs that were introduced in MAP-21, such as the establishment of a National Highway Freight Program and Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects Program.
The FAST Act authorizes over $305 billion in funding over fiscal years 2016 through 2020 for highway, public transportation, motor carrier safety, hazardous materials safety, rail, and research, technology and statistics programs. This builds upon MAP-21's goals of creating a streamlined and performance-based surface transportation program.

In summary, while the FAST Act replaces MAP-21 upon its expiration, it retains and continues many of the changes made in MAP-21 regarding transportation funding and policy reform priorities. The FAST Act provides both funding stability and policy direction for surface transportation in the U.S. going forward.

What is the public law 112 141?

On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed into law the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). This new two-year transportation reauthorization bill aimed to reform and strengthen transportation programs, refocus on safety, and establish innovation and performance management to invest taxpayer money more efficiently.

MAP-21 provided over $105 billion for surface transportation programs over fiscal years 2013 and 2014. Key provisions included:

Consolidating core highway, transit, bike, and pedestrian programs to focus resources on key national goals and reduce duplicative programs.
Establishing a performance-based program to improve transparency and accountability, and target federal funds toward projects that demonstrate real outcomes.
Expanding funding flexibility between highways and transit programs.
Refocusing on transportation safety, including grant programs to spur states to tackle key safety issues.
Streamlining project delivery and accelerating project development timelines.
Creating a new emergency relief program to respond quickly to disasters and catastrophic failures in transportation infrastructure.

Overall, MAP-21 enacted important structural reforms in transportation policy while providing needed funds and flexibility to spur economic growth and job creation through infrastructure investment. The law built on previous transportation legislation while introducing key innovations to focus efforts on national priorities.

MAP-21's Comprehensive Approach to Transportation Safety

Safety is a cornerstone of MAP-21, which introduced several measures to enhance transportation safety across various sectors.

Enhancements to the National Driver Record Notification System

MAP-21 strengthened the National Driver Record Notification System to improve driver safety monitoring. Key enhancements include:

Requiring states to meet minimum standards for the reporting, sharing, and posting of data to the system. This aims to improve the timeliness and accuracy of driver violation data.
Promoting greater integration of the system across states to enhance nationwide monitoring of driver records.
Allowing prospective employers to access 5 years of driver safety data through the system, up from 3 years previously. This provides more complete insights into a driver's record.
Mandating that medical examiner's certificates be submitted to the system, facilitating continuous driver health monitoring.

Overall, these enhancements create a more robust nationwide system for tracking driver violations and qualifications, enabling stronger oversight of commercial driver safety.

Medical Examiner's Certification Integration

This provision under MAP-21 aims to better integrate medical examiner's certifications with CDLs to ensure driver fitness. Key aspects include:

Requiring CDL holders to provide up-to-date medical examiner's certificates to be permitted to operate vehicles. This verifies health status.
Having states post driver medical exam information into the CDLIS driver record database. This facilitates license monitoring.
Establishing processes for notifying drivers of pending medical certification expirations. This prevents lapses.

By linking CDL privileges with medical certification status, MAP-21 closed an oversight gap and aims to improve commercial driver health monitoring across states.

Entry-Level Driver Training Advisory Committee

MAP-21 established a committee to advise on training requirements for new commercial drivers. The committee is tasked with:

Reviewing existing training standards and requirements.
Providing recommendations to the FMCSA on developing minimum federal standards for mandatory training of entry-level drivers.
Addressing training requirements across vehicle types and classes.
Considering safety risks, technology changes, experience levels, and more.

The goal is enhancing and standardizing commercial driver training to improve safety outcomes.

MAP-21 Broker Rules and Transportation of Agricultural Commodities

New broker rules were established under MAP-21, affecting how freight brokers operate, with specific provisions for the transportation of agricultural commodities. These include:

Requiring brokers to register with the FMCSA to improve oversight.
Having brokers clearly specify their role in each transaction.
Establishing financial security requirements for brokers to protect against defaults.
Exempting agricultural commodity transporters from new broker rules due to existing oversight frameworks.

These provisions aim to increase accountability and transparency for freight brokers while recognizing agricultural shipping sensitivities.

Highway-Rail Grade Crossing; Safe Clearance Initiatives

MAP-21 includes measures to enhance the safety of highway-rail grade crossings, promoting safe clearance. Initiatives involve:

Authorizing the DOT to regulate minimum sight distance standards at crossings. This enables setting visibility requirements.
Funding crossing safety infrastructure upgrades like signals and gates via grants. This facilitates safety enhancements.
Allowing states to spend rail safety funds on education and enforcement activities near crossings. This raises awareness and compliance.
Mandating DOT reporting to Congress on crossing safety risks. This informs policy.

These strategies work to reduce collision risks at rail crossings through systemic upgrades, education, and data-driven safety programming.

Federal Agencies and MAP-21: Roles and Responsibilities

MAP-21 involves various federal agencies, each with specific roles in implementing the act's wide-ranging provisions.

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and MAP-21 Implementation

The FHWA is responsible for carrying out many of MAP-21's provisions related to federal-aid highways, bridges, and tunnels. Key roles of the FHWA under MAP-21 include:

Administering highway funding programs, including apportioning funds to states
Overseeing state and local compliance with federal highway requirements
Setting standards for highway design, construction, and maintenance
Conducting research and providing technical assistance on highway issues

To fulfill these responsibilities, the FHWA has undertaken various implementation activities aligned with MAP-21 priorities like safety, infrastructure condition, project delivery, and system reliability.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Transit Safety Mission

A major impact of MAP-21 on FTA was an expanded focus on transit safety oversight. MAP-21 gave FTA authority to establish a comprehensive Public Transportation Safety Program, addressing key issues like:

Setting safety performance criteria for public transit agencies
Requiring agencies to develop agency safety plans
Providing federal assistance to improve safety practices

This enhanced mission aligns with FTA's longstanding commitment to ensuring safe, reliable transit for all communities.

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's Role

As the federal regulator of pipeline safety, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) oversees several provisions under MAP-21, including:

Implementing new safety rules for pipelines transporting natural gas and hazardous liquids
Advancing research and development focused on pipeline leak detection and prevention
Supporting state pipeline safety programs through grants

By furthering these pipeline safety goals, PHMSA plays an integral part in achieving MAP-21's overall safety objectives.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and MAP-21's Trucking Provisions

With its mission to improve commercial motor vehicle safety, FMCSA is central to carrying out MAP-21's various trucking-related provisions, such as:

Establishing the National Driver Record Notification System to improve record-keeping and data sharing
Implementing entry-level driver training standards
Studying size and weight limits for commercial vehicles

Through these and other efforts, FMCSA plays a lead role in achieving MAP-21's truck and bus safety goals.

Department of Transportation (DOT) Oversight of MAP-21

As the parent agency overseeing various transportation modes, the DOT coordinates MAP-21 activities across its agencies like FHWA, FTA, PHMSA and FMCSA. Key DOT responsibilities include:

Issuing guidance and rules to execute MAP-21 provisions
Reviewing project applications and awarding funds to states and localities
Submitting regular reports to Congress on MAP-21 progress

With its multimodal perspective, the DOT ensures consistent and effective implementation of MAP-21 transportation policies.

MAP-21's Influence on Transportation Infrastructure and Funding

MAP-21 brought significant changes to transportation project funding and management, emphasizing efficiency and innovation.

MAP-21 Fact Sheets: Funding Allocation and Impact

The MAP-21 fact sheets outline key details on funding distribution and expected impact. Highlights include:

$105 billion allocated over fiscal years 2013-2014 for highway, transit, safety and rail programs
Emphasis on repairing existing infrastructure and supporting critical transportation projects
Streamlining project delivery and accelerating project completion times
States required to establish performance targets and measures for safety, infrastructure condition, congestion reduction, emissions reductions, and freight movement

Overall, MAP-21 aims to maximize returns on transportation infrastructure investments.

MAP-21 Exemptions and Special Provisions

Certain transportation projects and entities received exemptions under MAP-21:

Commercial motor vehicles operating solely in intrastate commerce are exempt from certain federal safety regulations.
Certain farming vehicles received exemptions from commercial driver's license requirements.
Some public transit systems serving urbanized areas with populations under 200,000 were made exempt from new safety plan requirements.

These exemptions aimed to reduce regulatory burdens for some transportation sub-sectors.

Rental Truck Safety Study Mandated by MAP-21

MAP-21 required the Federal Highway Administration to conduct a comprehensive study on the safety of rental trucks during operation. Study parameters include:

Crash causation related to vehicle design characteristics
Trends in crashes involving rental trucks
Effectiveness of safety features and technologies
Driver training requirements

The goal is to enhance rental truck safety for both renters and other motorists.

Transportation of Agricultural Commodities: Specific MAP-21 Rules

To support American agriculture, MAP-21 established special rules related to the transport of agricultural commodities and farm supplies:

Agricultural carriers are exempt from certain commercial motor vehicle requirements
Farm-registered vehicles received expanded access to operate on federal interstate highways
Ag commodity transporters can obtain special permits to exceed federal weight limits

These provisions aim to facilitate efficient, cost-effective agricultural shipments.

Public Discourse and Analysis of MAP-21

MAP-21 has sparked public discussion and analysis from various stakeholders, reflecting its significant impact on US transportation policy.

Secretary LaHood's Remarks on MAP-21

Former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood lauded MAP-21 as a "milestone," highlighting provisions he described as "unprecedented investments" in road infrastructure and transit safety. LaHood positioned MAP-21 as an important step towards modernizing US infrastructure to promote economic growth.

White House Blog Post on MAP-21: A Closer Look

A White House blog post provided additional context around MAP-21's goals of strengthening America's roads and runways while creating jobs. It framed MAP-21 as critical to tackling challenges around congestion and deteriorating infrastructure. The post also underscored the bipartisan collaboration behind passing this transportation legislation.

MAP-21 Text Analysis: Legislative Language and Intent

A close analysis of the MAP-21 legislative text shows a clear intent to boost investment in infrastructure, streamline project delivery, and consolidate federal transportation programs. Specific provisions aim to accelerate project delivery while adding transparency and accountability safeguards. The language also reflects a push towards more data-driven infrastructure planning.

MAP-21 Explained: Breaking Down Complex Provisions

In basic terms, MAP-21 seeks to increase funding for improving roads, bridges, and transit infrastructure while also reforming how federal transportation dollars are allocated and spent. It consolidates certain programs to reduce duplication. MAP-21 provisions also address drunk driving prevention, with expanded funding for campaigns against driving under the influence. Additionally, it establishes a national clearinghouse for best practices around pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Conclusion and Long-Term Outlook Under MAP-21

MAP-21 delivers substantial investment and policy reform across U.S. transportation modes. The impacts are projected to be significant over the long term.

Projected Transportation Outcomes by 2040

Increased jobs and economic growth
Higher GDP and exports
Improved freight efficiency

If MAP-21 goals are achieved, experts forecast major gains in these areas.

Lasting Legacy of MAP-21

MAP-21 represents a milestone in U.S. infrastructure and transportation policy. Its influence on areas such as safety, infrastructure condition, system performance, and project delivery will continue for decades.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of MAP-21

Key metrics will assess MAP-21's effectiveness:

Safety: Reduced traffic fatalities and injuries
Infrastructure condition: Improved pavement and bridge conditions
System performance: Decreased congestion and improved reliability
Project delivery: Faster project completion times
Accountability: Transportation agencies meeting performance targets

Tracking these metrics over time will determine if MAP-21 meets its ambitious goals.