Multimodal transportation programs
Unified Transportation Program (UTP)
The UTP provides funding for a variety of multimodal transportation programs, administered by a range of divisions and committees across TxDOT. These programs include:
- Public Transportation: Public transportation services provided by rural transit districts, urban transit districts, and metropolitan transit authorities. Administers and coordinates TxDOT's bicycle and pedestrian programs as an integrated component of the state's transportation system.
- Maritime: Incorporating the Texas maritime transportation system into TxDOT planning processes, and improving the intermodal connectivity, infrastructure, and economic growth opportunities of Texas ports and waterways through financial assistance.
- Aviation: Engineering, technical and financial assistance to Texas communities for planning, programming, constructing and maintaining airports.
- Rail: Facilitating the development, improvement and maintenance of the state's freight and passenger rail system and its intermodal capabilities.
- Freight, Trade and Connectivity: Incorporating multimodal freight and international trade, as well as the Texas-Mexico border, into TxDOT's processes.
Public Transportation
The TxDOT Public Transportation Division (PTN) works to provide a safe and reliable network of transportation options for people who use alternatives to driving alone. The division provides financial, technical and coordination assistance to the state's rural and urban public transit providers and the State Safety Oversight Program.
PTN supports the work of the Public Transportation Advisory Committee (PTAC). The PTAC is a nine-member committee that advises TxDOT and the Texas Transportation Commission on matters related to public transportation. PTAC responsibilities are stated in Chapter 455 of the Texas Transportation Code.
TxDOT PTN Support of TxDOT Strategic Plan Goals
- Focus on the customer by partnering with rural and state-supported urban transit districts to provide efficient and coordinated public transportation
- Preserve state transportation assets by reducing roadway traffic via offering non-single occupant vehicle commuting options
- Promote safety by performing State Safety Oversight of rail transit systems and implementing public transportation agency safety plans
Programs and funding
Public transportation grant programs
TxDOT's Public Transportation Division administers state and Federal Transit Administration grant programs for public transportation. These grants are for specific purposes and have separate eligibility and funding requirements. The Public Transportation Division requests applications for specific grant funding sources through calls for projects.
The Rural Public Transportation Grants Program (49 USC, Section 5311) helps people in rural areas access health care, shopping, education, employment and recreation. Currently, there are 36 operators providing public transportation in rural areas and small cities with populations under 50,000.
Intercity Bus service is provided for the general public and connects urban areas through fixed routes. Greyhound and Trailways are the most commonly known companies that provide this service. The Rural Public Transportation Grants Program has 15 percent of its budget allocated to fund Intercity Bus, which is designed to strengthen the connection between rural areas and the larger regional or national intercity bus system. Intercity Bus also supports the system's infrastructure through planning, marketing assistance and capital investment in facilities and vehicles.
The Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Public Transportation Grants Program (49 USC, Section 5310) provides funding to improve accessibility and mobility for seniors and persons with disabilities. Local stakeholder forums or committees plan and design the transportation services.
The Planning and Research Grants Programs (49 USC, Sections 5303 and 5304) provide funds to Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Rural Planning Commissions, Councils of Governments, and other regional public transportation coordination planning lead agencies for transit or highway planning and awards TxDOT monies for statewide transit planning and research.
The Small Urban Public Transportation Federal Grants Program (49 USC, Section 5307) enhances mobility in urbanized areas. There are 30 urban operators providing transportation in areas with populations between 50,000 and 200,000.
The Transit Technical Services Program provides focused technical assistance to Rural Transit Districts (RTD) and State Funded Urban Transit Districts (SUTD) in five areas:
- Financial management and analysis;
- Capital project development;
- Policy, procedure and program document development;
- Operational and service analysis; and
- Strategic planning, performance and organizational development.
For more information, visit Public Transportation Forms and Publications.
Active transportation (bicycle and pedestrian) program
TxDOT’s Public Transportation Division coordinates bicycle and pedestrian programs, also known as active transportation, as an integrated component of the state’s transportation system. In addition, PTN administers TxDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) Program, expanding transportation choices and enhancing active transportation infrastructure through locally driven projects.
The BPAC is an eleven-member committee that advises TxDOT and the Texas Transportation Commission on matters related to bicycle and pedestrian issues. BPAC responsibilities are stated in Title 43 of the Texas Administrative Code.
TxDOT PTN Support of TxDOT Strategic Plan Goals
- Focus on the customer by investing in bicycle and pedestrian networks to meet demand growth
- Preserve state transportation assets by reducing roadway traffic via offering non-single occupant vehicle commuting options
- Promote safety through integration of bicycle and pedestrian-specific safety needs with state, district and local transportation plans
Transportation Alternatives Set-aside (TA) Program
PTN administers TA funds for locally-sponsored bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and planning projects in communities across the state. The TA Program provides funding to plan for and construct a variety of alternative transportation projects that improve safety and mobility for nonmotorized travelers and mitigate congestion by providing safe alternatives to motor vehicle transport.
TxDOT TA projects are selected by the Texas Transportation Commission through a competitive call for projects every other year. TxDOT’s most recent TA call for projects opened at the beginning of 2023. The next call for projects will open beginning of 2025.
It is important to note that bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is not limited to TA Program funding but is allowed in all other funding categories as well.
Maritime
Texas waterways and ports are critical components of the state’s transportation system. Collectively, they handle more foreign cargo than any other state in the nation, rank first in the country in terms of total waterborne tonnage and receive significant amounts of cruise passenger traffic each year.
The TxDOT Maritime Division (MRD) works to support the state’s maritime system by promoting the development of high-value growth, intermodal connectivity of the system, the use of waterborne transportation for freight movement, and to increase the State's economic competitiveness. To learn more, visit the Maritime Division's project dashboards.
The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) is a critical component of supply chains that serve the Texas petrochemical and manufacturing industries used to transport petrochemicals, manufactured goods, and agricultural products between ports along the coast. The Texas Legislature appropriates funds annually to support the GIWW. Updated once every two years, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Legislative Report details TxDOT’s role in supporting the GIWW.
MRD also supports and facilitates the work of the Port Authority Advisory Committee (PAAC). The PAAC is a nine-member committee that advises TxDOT and the Transportation Commission on matters related to maritime transportation. Its responsibilities are laid out in Chapter 55 of the Texas Transportation Code and include the development of the Texas Port Mission Plan, which is updated once every two years.
The Texas Port Mission Plan functions as a needs assessment for the State's maritime system and includes three distinct sections which tie to MRD funding programs:
- Maritime Infrastructure Report
- Seaport Connectivity Report
- Ship Channel Report
TxDOT MRD Support of TxDOT Strategic Plan Goals
- Optimize system performance by facilitating waterborne transportation and related intermodal projects
- Preserve state transportation assets by moving commodities along waterways instead of roads and railways
- Promote safety by providing a safer alternative to roads (on a ton-mile basis)
- Foster stewardship by promoting waterborne transportation, which is the cleanest form of freight movement
Programs and funding
The Maritime Infrastructure Program provides funding in the form of grants to Texas seaports for port security, transportation, or facility projects. Projects selected for funding are derived from the Texas Port Mission Plan.
The Seaport Connectivity Program provides funding in the form of grants to ports and local governments to fund public roadway projects that improve connectivity, enhance safety, and relieve congestion in communities around the state's seaports. Projects selected for funding are derived from the Texas Port Mission Plan.
The Ship Channel Improvement Revolving Fund provides funding in the form of low interest loans to entities responsible for the non-federal cost share of congressionally authorized ship channel deepening and/or widening projects in Texas.
Aviation
The TxDOT Aviation Division (AVN) provides engineering, technical and financial assistance to Texas communities for planning, programming, constructing and maintaining airports. The TxDOT Aviation Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is TxDOT’s plan for general aviation airport development in Texas and helps guide the work of AVN. It is a detailed listing of potential projects based on the anticipated funding levels of the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program, the Texas Aviation Facilities Development Program and local match. The Aviation CIP includes all eligible Texas general aviation airports in the Texas Airport System Plan (TASP) that choose to participate in the TASP.
TxDOT AVN Support of TxDOT Strategic Plan Goals
- Deliver the right projects by assisting Texas communities in planning and executing projects to meet general aviation needs
- Optimize system performance by helping sponsors develop projects that comply with aviation planning and programming standards
- Promoting safety by evaluating projects based on potential to enhance facility safety for aircraft operations
Programs and Funding
By law, TxDOT acts as the agent of the state and sponsor for applying, receiving and disbursing federal funds for the benefit of general aviation airports. Legislation allows state funding assistance on federally funded projects and the state may also fund projects not eligible for federal funding at publicly owned facilities. Additionally, Texas joined the State Block Grant Program in 1996, which is a federal program giving the state the lead in carrying out the Airport Improvement Program for general aviation airports.
Annually, AVN also identifies a program of projects from the Aviation CIP. Inclusion of a project in the Aviation CIP is not a commitment for future funding. However, projects in the Aviation CIP are under strong consideration for funding. The Aviation Division will work with sponsors to develop acceptable projects, assuming the projects are consistent with planning and programming standards and priorities.
Rail
The TxDOT Rail Division (RRD) facilitates the continuing development, improvement and maintenance of a best-in-class freight and passenger rail system for Texas. The Texas rail network is the largest in the country and serves as a connection between all modes of transportation. Most of the existing rail system is privately owned, so the state’s role is restricted to improving rail transportation options.
The Texas Rail Plan guides the work of RRD by putting forth the state’s vision for the rail system and identifying opportunities for future improvement. The Texas Rail Plan and the work of RRD support TxDOT’s strategic plan goals by working to increase safety, manage system assets, increase mobility and reliability, increase multimodal connectivity and increase economic competitiveness. These goals align with the goals of both the statewide Texas Transportation Plan and the Texas Freight Mobility Plan.
TxDOT RRD Support of TxDOT Strategic Plan Goals
- Optimize system performance through use of federal grants and specific appropriations to make system improvements
- Preserve state transportation assets by safely connecting industries, ports and people without congesting highways
- Foster stewardship of state resources by working to actively improve rail transportation options
Programs and funding
TxDOT has historically used federal grant funds, specific appropriations from the Texas Legislature, private-sector contributions and available planning funds for rail project development and implementation.
- The SORR, a state-owned rail facility, extends from San Angelo Junction in Coleman County to Presidio at the Texas-Mexico border.
- TxDOT uses a combination of federal, state and local funds, along with private contributions from the railroad operator (Texas Pacifico) to rehabilitate the SORR.
Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer is an intercity passenger rail service between Fort Worth, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Since 2007, TxDOT has funded between 40 and 50 percent of the annual operating subsidy for this service.
Freight, Trade, and Connectivity
A reliable multimodal freight network is critical to Texans because quality of life and economic vitality depends on the daily delivery of millions of tons of goods shipped over the transportation system. The Texas Multimodal Freight Network (TMFN) connects urban and rural areas and is made up of highways, railroads, ports, waterways, airports and pipelines.
The TxDOT Freight, Trade and Connectivity (FTC) section focuses on the movement of freight and international trade, a key component of the state’s multimodal transportation system. The FTC works with local, regional, state, federal and private stakeholders to incorporate multimodal freight and international trade, as well as Texas-Mexico border considerations, into TxDOT’s overall transportation planning, programming and implementation processes.
More information regarding freight is available through the Freight Planning webpage, which provides on-demand access to the latest version of the Texas Freight Mobility Plan. More information about international trade and the Texas-Mexico border, including the Border Master Plan, can be found at the International Trade and Border Planning page.
TxDOT FTC Support of TxDOT Strategic Plan Goals
- Deliver the right projects through Border Trade Advisory Committee recommendations for meeting high-priority border trade transportation challenges
- Optimize system performance by making plans and recommendations and approving some funding for projects
- Deliver the right projects through Texas State Mobility Plan guidance
Programs and funding
National Highway Freight Program
The federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act created the $10.8 billion National Highway Freight Program in 2015 to improve freight movement efficiency nationwide. To be eligible for program funding, a state must have a freight plan in place that must identify projects that contribute to the efficient movement of freight that are located on the Federal Highway Administration-designated National Highway Freight Network. The Texas Freight Advisory Committee advises TxDOT on freight issues, projects, and funding needs for freight improvements. By advising TxDOT on these items, the Texas Freight Advisory Committee helps elevate freight transportation as a critical component of the state's economic vitality and competitiveness.
Border State Infrastructure Funding
At the direction of the Texas Legislature, TxDOT provides additional district discretionary funds for improvements designed to facilitate traffic related to motor vehicles, cargo and rail and improve the efficiency of border inspection and security processes at land ports of entry located near the Texas-Mexico border, as well as to fund projects recommended to the Texas Transportation Commission by the Border Trade Advisory Committee.
Criteria for selecting Border State Infrastructure Projects:
- Number of incoming commercial trucks and railcars
- Number of incoming personal motor vehicles and buses
- Weight of incoming cargo by commercial trucks
- Number of land border ports of entry