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June 27, 2007 Tribal Transportation Assessment Shows Funding VoidFirst-of-its kind report assesses tribal transportation programs and unmet needs CHICAGO — The first extensive best practice analysis of existing tribal transportation programs has been completed by the American Planning Association (APA) in conjunction with the Transportation Research Board (TRB). The report "Tribal Transportation Programs" profiles 30 tribes around the country to provide an assessment of existing tribal transportation programs, examine the challenges of tribal transportation planning, and to assist tribes in performing transportation-related functions. The report includes the first in-depth set of profiles on individual tribal transportation programs, affirming that transportation program needs are influenced by both demographics and geography. The profiles catalog characteristics of tribal transportation programs, including transportation responsibilities, planning, coordination with outside agencies, funding, unmet needs, and desired program changes. The study reinforced that securing sufficient funding for existing and future transportation programs was a significant challenge shared among all of the profiled tribes. The tribes continue to seek additional revenue through innovative methods such as capital assistance grants, tribal fuel taxes, and casino revenues, to advance their transportation planning needs. The report also identifies the need for continued research. Specific areas include public transportation programs beyond dial-a-ride services, staffing public transportation programs, financing, and building relationships to further tribal transportation goals. A PDF copy of the report is available at http://trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7746. "This report fills an existing information void about tribal transportation programs," said Jim Schwab, AICP, co-author of the report and APA senior research associate. "Our hope is this report will establish a baseline about tribal transportation programs and will help tribes build and expand their transportation programs." The 30 profiled tribes currently compose about 80 percent of the IRR (Indian Reservation Roads program, the primary vehicle for federal aid to tribal transportation) road mileage or budget, or both. The selected tribes represent a variety of geographic locations, population sizes, and the level of funding received for transportation. Information for the report was compiled from reviewing existing resources and a survey questionnaire. Report authors are Jim Schwab; Stuart Meck, FAICP, Rutgers University; and Rebecca Retzlaff, AICP, Auburn University. The work was guided by a panel of experts on Native American transportation, which also identified the 30 tribes participating in the study. The synthesis was funded by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, supported by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Standing Committee on Research, and managed by TRB through the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. Profiled Tribes About the Transportation Research Board
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