Source of SPR Funds

— 23 U.S.C. 505 provides for SPR funding. Of the total funds apportioned to states, it authorizes two percent of most apportionment categories to be used only for planning and research activities. These funds are administered and accounted for as a single fund, regardless of the category of Federal-aid highway funds from which they were derived.

The 25 Percent Rule

— 23 U.S.C. 505 further states that not less than 25 percent of the SPR funds apportioned to a state for a fiscal year shall be used for research, unless the State meets the requirements for a waiver of this rule.

Sharing of SPR Program Funds

— Federal SPR funds are shared between RTI and the Transportation Planning and Programming Division (TPP).

Obligation of SPR Funds

— RTI requests obligation of federal SPR funds before each annual program is initiated, based on eighty percent of the total Legislative appropriation for that program. Obligation of SPR funds for projects which are not part of an annual program are handled individually for each project.