Transportation Access Pilot Program

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) operates the Transportation Access Pilot Program (CFDA 20.288), a technical assistance initiative established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that provides no direct funding awards. The program provides technical assistance in developing and processing accessibility data and defining accessibility measurements for transportation planning purposes, rather than distributing grant dollars to recipients. FHWA solicits applications on a competitive basis through periodic notices of funding opportunity, but selected applicants receive technical assistance services, not grant awards. Selection criteria vary by individual funding opportunity notice and are determined by FHWA based on stated objectives within each solicitation. The program does not disburse federal dollars; it operates as a non-funded technical assistance vehicle. Eligible recipients include State and other governmental entities that must retain project records and documents as specified under 2 CFR 200.333. Because this program delivers technical assistance rather than grant funding, organizations pursuing federal transportation dollars for accessibility planning should consider it a complement to, rather than a primary source of, direct project funding. The structure requires applicants to monitor FHWA announcements for solicitation timing and selection criteria, which shift according to each funding opportunity notice.