Programs

CDC's Active Community Environments Initiative (ACES) is an initiative designed to encourage environmental and policy interventions that will increase levels of physical activity and improve public health. Goals include encouraging the development of pedestrian and bicycle friendly environments, promoting active forms of transportation like walking and bicycling, and disseminating information related to Active Community Environments. Research suggests that characteristics of our communities including proximity of facilities, street design, density of housing, availability of public transit and of pedestrian and bicycle facilities play a significant role in promoting or discouraging physical activity.

 






The Bicycle and Pedestrian Program of the Federal Highway Administration's Office of Human and Natural Environment promotes bicycle and pedestrian transportation accessibility, use, and safety.

The Surface Transportation Policy Project is a diverse, nationwide coalition working to ensure safer communities and smarter transportation choices that enhance the economy, improve public health, promote social equity, and protect the environment .

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, jointly administered by the FHWA and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), was reauthorized in 1998 under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The TEA-21 CMAQ program provides over $8.1 billion dollars in funds to State DOTs, MPOs, and transit agencies to invest in projects that reduce criteria air pollutants regulated from transportation-related sources over a period of six years (1998-2003). The TEA-21 CMAQ program is similar to its ISTEA predecessor, but it features greater program flexibility, several new program options, an expansion of eligible activities available for funding and the statutory formula for apportioning funds was redesigned to provide a more equitable distribution.

Transportation Enhancements (TE) activities are federally funded, community-based projects that expand travel choices and enhance the transportation experience by improving the cultural, historic, aesthetic and environmental aspects of our transportation infrastructure. TE projects must be one of 12 eligible activities and must relate to surface transportation.

* Commuter Choice is a nationwide partnership designed to help employers create customized solutions to their employees' commuting challenges. Commuter Choice can also include communities working with residents, schools working with students, and even developers working with future tenants to provide and promote choices for travelers. For years, the term commuter choice referred simply to the tax incentives available to employers and commuters. While these and other incentives remain a critical part of the overall equation, Commuter Choice is now taking on a broader, more comprehensive meaning that encompasses the full spectrum of commuting choices, supporting programs and organizational resources

* The goal of Safe Routes to School is to improve the health of kids and the community by making walking and bicycling to school safer, easier and more enjoyable. These programs involve parents, community members, school staff, traffic engineers, city planners, law enforcement officers, community leaders and many others.

America on the Move is a national campaign promoting healthy eating and active living. Their focus is at both individual change and community/environment change. The message of the campaign is based on incorporating simple acts to improve health, such as eating 100 fewer calories or walking 2000 extra steps each day.

Facts
Articles and Research
Organizations
Policies and Legislation
Programs
Tools
Walking