MPO Project Selection

The MPO administers four federal transportation funding programs: the Surface Transportation Block Grant–Urban (STBG-U), Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program, and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP). Through these programs, the MPO allocates tens of millions of dollars in federal transportation funding to projects throughout the region.

As part of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the sections below provide information about each funding program, including the project selection process, eligibility requirements, and criteria used to evaluate and select projects.

Surface Transportation Block Grant–Urban

The Surface Transportation Block Grant–Urban (STBG-U) program is the Greater Madison MPO's largest funding program. It provides flexible federal funding for roadway and bridge improvements, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, public transit, and other multimodal transportation projects.

Policies & Scoring Criteria

Projects are scored based on how well they align with the goals and priorities of the Greater Madison MPO's Regional Transportation Plan. The weight of each category varies by project type, with a maximum score of 100 points.

Category	Roadway	Transit (Infrastructure)	ITS	Bike
Importance to Regional Transportation System & Supports Regional Development Framework	18	25	15	25
System Preservation	20	15	5	5
Congestion Mitigation/TSM	12	15	20	5
Safety Enhancement	20	5	20	20
Enhancement of Multimodal Options/Service	12	15	15	25
Environment	8	10	15	5
Local Factors	10	15	10	15
Total	100	100	100	100

Full scoring criteria and program policies are available on the STBG-U webpage.

STBG-U Webpage

Transportation Alternatives Program

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) provides federal funding for projects that make walking, biking, and other non-driving transportation options safer and more accessible.

Eligible projects include sidewalks, bike lanes, separated paths, Safe Routes to School plans and programs, rail-to-trail conversions, and ADA Transition Plans for public rights-of-way.

Policies & Scoring Criteria

Projects are scored using two sets of criteria: one for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects and another for Safe Routes to School non-infrastructure projects. All projects can receive a maximum score of 100 points.

Bicycle & Pedestrian Infrastructure Projects

Scoring Criteria	Points
Importance to the Regional Transportation System & Support for the Regional Development Framework	35
Access & Service Area	20
Congestion Mitigation	5
Safety Enhancement	15
Environment	5
Local Factors	15
Cost Efficiencies	5
Total	100

Safe Routes to School Non-Infrastructure Projects

Scoring Criteria	Points
Scope of Audience, Reach & Impact	50
Health, Safety & Local Factors	50
Total	100

Full scoring criteria and program policies are available on the TAP webpage.

TAP Webpage

Section 5310 Program

The Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program provides federal funding to improve mobility for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Funding supports transportation services and projects that go beyond traditional public transit and help people access essential services and maintain their independence.

Information about eligible projects, the application process, and project selection criteria is available on the Section 5310 webpage.

Section 5310 Webpage

Carbon Reduction Program

The Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) provides federal funding for projects that reduce transportation-related carbon dioxide emissions. The program focuses on improving air quality and reducing congestion while supporting projects that improve transportation access, safety, system preservation, and multimodal connectivity.

Projects are scored based on:

Carbon emissions reduction – 70%
Co-benefits – 30%, including safety, environmental justice, system preservation, multimodal connectivity and access, and public health.

Full scoring criteria are available on the Carbon Reduction Program webpage.

Carbon Reduction Program Webpage