Sponsor
The bill shifts federal resources toward TDM programs and small-project/rural set-asides to reduce congestion and emissions and expand local mobility options, but it does so by redirecting funds from traditional capital projects, adding administrative and implementation challenges, and risking ongoing federal dependence for operating costs.
Commuters (including low-income riders) and rural residents will likely face less congestion and shorter travel times because federally funded TDM programs can reduce peak vehicle trips.
Rural communities (seniors, people with disabilities, and others) gain more travel options and better access to jobs, healthcare, and schools through a dedicated $20M/year rural TDM grant set-aside and expanded eligibility for small-project funding.
State DOTs, MPOs, transit agencies, tribes, local governments, nonprofits, and universities get clearer authority and capacity (including grant-funded staff/operations) to plan and run TDM, increasing local ability to deliver commuter services and multimodal options.
Taxpayers and users of traditional infrastructure may lose funding for road and transit capital projects because federal dollars are being redirected toward TDM programs and operational activities.
An annual $20M earmark for these set-asides means less money is immediately available for larger CMAQ or other high-cost projects, potentially delaying urban or high-impact congestion projects.
Funding many smaller projects could displace or reduce funding for fewer, larger projects that sometimes deliver bigger congestion or mobility benefits.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Defines transportation demand management, makes TDM eligible across multiple federal programs, and creates $20M rural and $20M small‑project annual set‑asides.
Senator · D-DE
Official title: Provide for the development of transportation demand management strategies, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 27, 2026 by Lisa Blunt Rochester · Last progress January 27, 2026
Creates a statutory definition of "transportation demand management" (TDM), makes TDM explicitly eligible under several Federal transportation programs, and establishes two $20 million annual set‑asides: one for rural TDM grants and one for small projects within a program. It authorizes a range of planning, outreach, operations, and implementation activities (e.g., vanpools, carpooling, telework support, trip planning/MaaS, employer incentives, ITS/rider information) and allows unused set‑aside funds to be reallocated to other program grants.