CTC reviews proposed updates to Active Transportation Program non‑infrastructure guidance at Cycle 8 workshop

The California Transportation Commission on Oct. 1 held its fourth central workshop for the 2027 Active Transportation Program (ATP), focusing on proposed updates to the program's non‑infrastructure (NI) guidance and other Cycle 8 guideline edits.

The NI guidance governs education and encouragement projects that accompany the ATP's capital investments. Emma Molineux, non‑infrastructure and plans acting program manager at Caltrans, summarized the current guidance, described allowable and ineligible items, and presented possible changes for Cycle 8. “The NI program supports education encouragement activities that further the ATP program's purpose and goals,” Molineux said.

Why it matters: NI projects fund outreach, training, incentives and planning that aim to increase walking and bicycling. Changes to caps, eligible costs and post‑award procedures affect budgets and application strategies for dozens of local agencies and nonprofit partners that rely on ATP funding.

Key items discussed - Proposed cost‑cap increases: Staff noted several NI caps have not been updated since March 2022 and recommended raising amounts for commonly purchased items. Caltrans staff said helmets are currently listed at $30 for children's helmets and $35 for adult helmets and signaled they are “looking to possibly increase that.” They also identified a current bicycle cap “set at $3.50 per bike” and said they were exploring raising it. - New eligible staff costs under federal guidance: The draft would permit certain staffing categories that previously were ineligible. Caltrans staff said crossing guard salaries are now eligible under federal guidance and suggested adding traffic control staff time (for things such as closed‑street demonstrations) as allowable NI staff costs. - Incentives and equipment: The guidance distinguishes “major” and “minor” incentives (examples given: helmets, locks and lights for major; stickers and reflective gear for minor). Donated or in‑kind services must be included in the work plan but do not count toward certain caps. Agencies must follow procurement rules: consultants require a competitive RFQ/RFP. - Ineligible items reiterated: Among items listed as ineligible are paid volunteers, out‑of‑state conference travel, general office laptops/phones, and permanent infrastructure (for NI funds). - Preapproval and post‑award changes: Awardees submit a 25R work plan before allocation. If a project needs to modify its NI work plan after allocation, staff said minor scope changes (for example, substituting child for adult helmets) will be reviewed through the ATP NI inbox; larger changes would require Commission approval. - Evaluation and sustainability: Applicant 25R work plans must show how NI activities will be sustained after ATP funding ends. Indirect costs are reimbursable only if the agency has an approved indirect cost allocation plan (ICAP) or indirect cost rate proposal with Caltrans.

Public‑project development question: Several participants asked whether community outreach intended to support a future infrastructure project would be eligible as NI. An attendee asked if an outreach program tied to a feasibility study for a future bicycle project could be funded. Alador Westbrook, Active Transportation Resource Center (ATRC) project manager at Caltrans, responded that “historically [that] has not been funded through the NI component of the ATP” and explained NI more commonly funds education, demonstration projects and encouragement activities; Caltrans staff suggested that a nearby demonstration or an Open Streets event could be eligible instead.

Engagement and feedback: Caltrans staff asked attendees to submit detailed feedback on the NI guidance by Oct. 31, 2025, using an online Smartsheet form. Molineux said the NI inbox and district ATP coordinators will review preapproval requests and 25R modifications. She also noted she will be on maternity leave starting Oct. 16 and that the ATP NI inbox will be monitored in her absence.

Context and background data staff presented - Funding estimate: Staff said Cycle 8 is “anticipating approximately $550,000,000 across 4 years,” covering fiscal years 2027–28 through 2030–31. - Eligible applicants: Local, regional and state agencies; transit agencies; public schools/districts; tribal governments; private nonprofit or tax‑exempt organizations; and other entities with transportation oversight approved by the Commission. - Program distribution: Staff said the program's distribution is 50% statewide component, 10% small urban and rural component, and 40% to metropolitan planning organization components. - Past cycles: Presenters noted just over 1,200 projects are currently programmed across prior cycles, representing about $3.9 billion in ATP funds and roughly $7.4 billion in total project costs to date.

Attachments, tools and appendices: Staff reiterated NI guidance appendices (best practices, references) and encouraged agencies to use the Active Transportation Resource Center office hours for project‑level questions. They also reminded attendees that preapproval requests for items not explicitly listed in the guidance should be submitted to the ATP NI inbox.

What the Commission will do next: Caltrans and Commission staff said they will review stakeholder feedback collected by Oct. 31, finalize the NI guidance for Cycle 8, and present the draft fund estimate and draft guidelines at the January 2026 Commission meeting. The final fund estimate and guidelines are scheduled for adoption at the March commission meeting.

Ending note: Staff emphasized they are soliciting input from practitioners who deliver NI projects so cost caps and eligible items reflect current market conditions and program needs.

Speakers quoted in this article are identified from the workshop transcript and listed in the article metadata below.