Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ)

View related pages: - CMAQ Selection Committee - CMAQ Minutes & Agendas - CMAP Committees Download related documents: - CMAQ Schedule - CMAP Documents

Current Information

FY 2008 CMAQ Information - Click here for information on the FY 2008 CMAQ funding cycle, including the proposed program for public comment and a program development schedule.

Approved FY 2007 CMAQ Program - Click here to see the projects in the FY 2007 CMAQ Program. The MPO Policy Committee approved these projects on October 12, 2006.

List of Approved CMAQ Projects FY 92-07 - Click here to view a list of approved CMAQ projects in northeastern Illinois from 1992, the program’s first year, to the present.

CMAQ Committee Minutes and Agendas – Click here to see CMAQ Committee Minutes and Agendas (available a week before the meeting).

Events Calendar – Click here to find out the next meeting date (if it is in the next month).

View TRB Special Report 264 – The Transportation Research Board (TRB), a division of the National Research Council, has released Special Report 264, The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program: Assessing 10 Years of Experience. The report contains an evaluation of the CMAQ program, recommendations for the future of the program and case studies, including a study of the northeastern Illinois region.

 

CMAQ Program Description

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program is a federally-funded program of surface transportation improvements designed to improve air quality and mitigate congestion. The CMAQ Program was created in 1991 as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). Continuation of the program was authorized by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) in June 1998 and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) in August 2005.

The CMAP CMAQ Project Selection Committee recommends CMAQ projects in northeastern Illinois to the CMAP Transportation Committee. After considering the recommendations, the Transportation Committee releases a list of proposed projects for public comment. After reviewing the comments, the Transportation Committee recommends a proposed program to the MPO Policy Committee. The Policy Committee considers the proposed program and approves a final program for funding. The Illinois Department of Transportation administers the program.

Northeastern Illinois is a moderate non-attainment area for the 8-hour ozone standard and a non-attainment area for the annual fine particulate matter standard (PM2.5). Therefore, federal guidance and the CMAQ Project Selection Committee give priority to projects that qualify as Transportation Control Measures (TCMs, listed in Attachment 1).

Many projects are eligible for CMAQ funding; specific project types are described below.

1. Transit Improvements – The CMAQ program finances various transit improvements:
   
   
   1. Transit System Start-up – These projects are new rail systems, bus service, or vanpools. Examples include the Orange Line to Midway and the North Central Service commuter rail line to Lake County. Operating expenses for new systems can be reimbursed for up to three years.
      
      
   2. Transit Transfer Facilities – These projects increase the convenience of transferring on transit service.
      
      
   3. Transit Facility Improvements – These projects enhance the existing transit system through adding or improving facilities such as stations.
      
      
   4. Transit Service and Equipment – These projects enhance the existing transit system through improvements such as increasing the frequency or operating speed of service on bus routes or rail lines. Operating expenses can be reimbursed for up to three years. Bus and bus engine replacements above and beyond standard fleet replacement schedules are eligible for CMAQ funding.
      
      
2. Commuter Parking Lots – New or expanded park-n-ride or park-n-pool facilities. Parking structures may also be funded through the CMAQ program.
   
   
3. Traffic Flow Improvements – The CMAQ program finances three types of traffic flow improvements:
   
   
   1. Bottleneck Elimination – These projects remove existing bottlenecks to traffic flow. Under current guidelines, a bottleneck is defined as a point along a roadway that restricts traffic flow. Road segments, even if relatively short, are not eligible. Bottleneck eliminations may be reviewed for eligibility on a case-by-case basis, since CMAQ funds cannot be used to fund "general purpose through lanes."
      
      
   2. Intersection Improvements – These projects ease the flow of traffic through existing intersections without adding capacity. Such projects include addition of left turn lanes (including continuous bi-directional left turn lanes) or traffic signal installation.
      
      Please note that signals to be installed with federal assistance must meet signal warrants. If the proposed signal is on the State highway system, IDOT will review the project sponsor’s warrant study as part of the application process to verify that warrants are met.
      
      However, meeting signal warrants alone is not sufficient to merit award of CMAQ funds. Some projects may show no emissions benefits even though signal warrants are met, since signal warrants may take into account factors other than delay reduction. In addition, the specifics of the project design (e.g., signal timing) may reduce emissions benefits.
      
      Exhibit 10-15 in the Highway Capacity Manual 2000 shows, at a minimum, the range (i.e., the stop control intersection ranges) in which emissions benefits should not be expected. However, intersections in the traffic signal control range may still not show emissions benefits. Exhibit 10-15 in the Highway Capacity Manual 2000 shows, at a minimum, the range (i.e., the stop control intersection ranges) in which emissions benefits should not be expected. However, intersections in the traffic signal control range may still not show emissions benefits.
      
      
   3. Signal Interconnects – These projects reduce delays through a series of intersections by coordinating the signal phases, thereby reducing emissions.
      
      
4. Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Projects – The CMAQ program finances both bicycle and pedestrian facilities that reduce travel by automobile (many recreational facilities do not make good CMAQ project candidates).
   
   
5. Bicycle Parking Projects – These projects create or increase the availability of parking facilities for bicycles and promote the use of bicycles, thereby eliminating auto trips.
   
   
6. Other Projects – These projects do not fit into the above categories, but result in emissions reductions that can be estimated and are otherwise eligible for CMAQ funds. Examples have included projects implementing low-emission engine and fuel technologies, including diesel retrofits, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Ozone Alert public information program, rideshare incentive programs, advanced truck stop electrification and interoperable emergency communications equipment.
   
   
7. Cold Starts – Programs to reduce motor vehicle emissions caused by extreme cold start conditions.
   

For more information contact:
Ross Patronsky, Chief of the CMAQ Program, at 312-386-8796.