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Regional Travel Options grants

Planning and conservation  ›  Urban development and revitalization  ›  Regional Travel Options  ›  RTO grants

Regional Travel Options grants support projects to reduce the number of people driving alone, improve air quality and address community health issues.

2013-15 grant cycle

Metro is now accepting grant applications for the 2013-15 RTO grant cycle. Access the links below for the grant packet, application and budget worksheet. Grants will be awarded in winter 2013 and projects will go through June 30, 2015.

Eligible organizations

Government agencies and non‐profit organizations are eligible to apply. (Federal funding limitations prevent us from directly contracting with for‐profit entities.) Projects must be carried out within the Metro boundary, which includes the urbanized portions of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.

Timeline

• Jan. 9, 2013 Grant information meeting, 10 a.m. to noon.
• Feb. 22, 2013 Applications due at 5 p.m.
• March 2013 Selection committee proposal review. Applicant interviews (if requested).
• April 5, 2013 Coordinating Committee’s proposal prioritization due to Metro.
• April 10, 2013 Grant awards announced.
• July 1, 2013 Grant agreements completed; funds available.

Grant projects

To provide applicants guidance with the grant application process there are several detailed project examples available as downloads below. These examples illustrate a variety of potential project types and include best practices, resources, measurement methods, and past projects.

• Wayfinding is the process of using spatial and environmental information to find our way in the built environment.
• End-of-Trip Facilities include supportive facilities for bicycling, walking, or running to work.
• Events encourage residents to utilize non-single occupancy vehicle travel options in the region. Public events include both singular and recurring events.
• Individualized Marketing projects identify people within a specific geographic area who want to change the way they travel. The projects use personalized contact to motivate people to use travel options more frequently.
• Employer and commuter services help businesses promote travel options to employees and coordinate the outreach activities of partner’s employer and commuter programs.
• Traveler information tools help residents plan and make trips using transportation options.
• Capacity building includes training or hiring staff or volunteers to promote transportation options to residents and employees.
• Efficient Living (EL) means living in a residence where the amenities and services that you need and want are either close by or within easy access by public transportation, walking or bicycling
• Health and active living, including active transportation, refers to non-motorized transportation modes, such as bicycling and walking that are well-integrated into public transportation and trail systems.

Related documents

• 2013-15 RTO Grant Program Overview 708K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• 2013-15 RTO grant packet 745K Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published December 20, 2012
• 2013-15 RTO grant application 151K MS Word | Published December 20, 2012
• 2013-15 RTO grants budget worksheet 25K MS Excel | Published December 20, 2012
• Regional Travel Options workshop presentation 5.0M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published January 19, 2013
• Example: Capacity Building 652K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• Example: Efficient Living 636K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• Example: Employer and Commuter Services 251K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• Example: End of Trip Facilities 236K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• Example: Events 269K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• Example: Health and Active Living 735K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• Example: Individualized Marketing 292K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• Example: Traveler Tools 325K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• Example: Wayfinding 354K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• RTO sponsorship criteria 117K Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published February 12, 2013