The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Section 25003, "Federal support for local decision-making,"  requires the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) to determine the data and analysis tools that would assist planning and infrastructure decision-making officials in units of local government, and to develop a work plan for the federal government to support local communities with their infrastructure investment decisions. IJJA Section 25004 authorizes to be appropriated $10,000,000, for each fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to the Secretary for use by BTS for data collection and analysis activities that would support implementation of the work plan.

WORK PLAN

Under IIJA Section 25003, BTS developed the Work Plan to Provide Federal Support for Local Decision-making. To address the needs local decision-makers expressed during outreach, as outlined below, BTS proposes a series of opportunities for the federal government to implement improved data, analysis tools, and technical assistance for evidence-based local infrastructure investment decision-making. Per IIJA Section 25003(d), “Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall develop data analysis tools and purchase datasets as prioritized in the work plan.”

Based on a series of listening sessions with stakeholders, BTS concludes the greatest needs of local officials, listed in prioritized order, are:

1. Data-focused technical assistance—ranging from basic assistance on data collection and project development to understanding the correct data and tools to use for different decision-making goals;
2. Complete, timely, and granular benchmark data to tell the stories of their communities, to inform planning and infrastructure investment decisions, and to measure and deliver better investment outcomes; and
3. Continued tool refinements to keep pace with technology advancements and mounting decision-making priorities.

In conducting local outreach, BTS determined federal support for data and data analysis tools are most needed to:

1. Improve maintenance of existing assets to reduce congestion and strengthen resilience;
2. Create economic development through infrastructure development;
3. Establish freight plans and infrastructure that connect the community to supply chains;
4. Rebuild infrastructure to a state of good repair; and
5. Advance transportation equity by increasing options for communities to improve access to jobs, affordable housing, schools, medical services, foods, and other essential community services.

BTS also observed recurrent data analysis challenges raised by the local decision-making official regardless of the decision-making goals (e.g., asset management, accessibility and equity, economic development). The central themes are:

1. Granular data,    
2. Data standardization,
3. Non-vehicular and non-National Highway System (NHS) data,
4. Multimodal network model and analysis,
5. Private-sector data and multi-jurisdictional collaboration,
6. Funding and grant opportunities, and
7. Clear definition and use expectation of equity metrics.

BTS took note of four overarching needs to support local decision-makers with effectively practicing evidence-based decision-making.

1. While local officials recognize the value of evidence-based decision making, they lack adequate data and analytical tools to provide effective evidence for their decisions. 
2. Existing data from either public or private sources are oftentimes in silos and incompatible, challenging effective and timely local decision-making. 
3. The lack of capacity on data and analysis tools hinders many jurisdictions’ ability to apply for IIJA funds and to practice evidence-based decision-making. 
4. Many of the existing data and decision-making tools fail to capture the multi-modal nature of the transportation system. 

BACKGROUND

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Public Law No: 117-58), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), signed into law on November 15, 2021, is a $1.2 trillion investment in our nation’s infrastructure intended to rebuild America’s roads, bridges and rails, upgrade and expand public transit, modernize the nation’s ports and airports, improve safety, address the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and invest in communities that have too often been left behind. It intends to drive job creation and grow the economy sustainably and equitably.

Section 25003, "Federal support for local decision-making," requires the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) to determine the data and analysis tools that would assist planning and infrastructure decision-making officials in units of local government, and to develop a roadmap for the federal government to support local communities with their infrastructure investment decisions. BTS hosted several listening sessions with local decision-makers to learn their experience with and needs for infrastructure data and data analysis tools. To address local needs, the BTS Work Plan to Provide Federal Support for Local Decision-making outlines how to provide federal support to assist local decision-makers in addressing major decision-making challenges, includes implementation plans, and provides implementation cost estimates.

OUTREACH

To determine the data analysis tools needed to assist local communities in making infrastructure decisions, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) performed outreach to planning and infrastructure decision-making officials in units of local government and other units of government.  In 2022, BTS conducted 15 listening sessions with external stakeholders and 2 technical discussions with federal partners and United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Operating Administrations.

The outreach effort was structured to identify current and future local data and analysis challenges based on the following decision-making goals:

• Improving maintenance of existing assets;
• Infrastructure to a state of good repair;
• Creating economic development through infrastructure development; 
• Establishing freight plans and infrastructure that connects the community to supply chain;
• Increasing options for communities that lack access to affordable transportation to improve access to jobs, affordable housing, schools, medical services, foods and other essential community services;
• Reducing congestion;
• Improving community resilience to extreme weather events;
• Safety;
• Equity; and
• Other topics.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• When was the Work Plan developed and what happens next?
  Not later than one year after the date of enactment of Public Law No: 117-58, based on the outreach performed to planning and infrastructure decision-making officials in units of local government and other units of government, BTS was required to submit to the Secretary a work plan for reviewing and updating existing data analysis tools and developing any additional data analysis tools needed to assist local communities with making infrastructure investment decisions. 
  • In November 2021, Congress signed H.R.3684 into law as Public Law No: 117-58.
  • In Spring - Summer 2022, BTS hosted listening sessions with local decision-makers.
  • In November 2022, BTS submitted the Work Plan to U.S. Transportation Secretary.
  • In 2023, BTS will continue local outreach efforts. Subject to the availability of appropriations, BTS and the U.S. Transportation Secretary would develop identified data analysis tools and purchase datasets.
     
• What information did BTS seek for the Work Plan? 
  BTS sought local decision-maker input on the topics assigned in Public Law No: 117-58 Section 25003 and listed below.
  • Improving maintenance of existing assets
  • Infrastructure to a state of good repair
  • Creating economic development through infrastructure development 
  • Establishing freight plans and infrastructure that connects the community to supply chain
  • Increasing options for communities that lack access to affordable transportation to improve access to jobs, affordable housing, schools, medical services, foods and other essential community services
    reducing congestion
  • Improving community resilience to extreme weather events
  • Safety
  • Equity
  • Other topics

• How did BTS seek input for the Work Plan? 
  BTS hosted 15 listening sessions with local officials to learn the data and data analysis tools that currently or could assist with the local infrastructure investment decision-making. View the BTS Federal Support for Local Decision-making Public Listening Session Recording (passcode: 7T4L.*$u) to learn how BTS gathered local decision-maker input on the topics. 

• How did BTS use the local decision-maker input?
  Based on the listening session outreach, BTS developed a work plan for reviewing and updating existing data analysis tools and for developing any additional data or data analysis tools needed to assist local communities with making infrastructure investment decisions. 

• What is the purpose of the work plan? 
  Subject to the availability of appropriations, BTS and the U.S. Transportation Secretary shall develop data analysis tools and purchase datasets as prioritized in the work plan.
   
• How can I stay involved and updated on the effort? 
  BTS will share updates on this page. For additional information, please reach out to the BTS Outreach Team at BTSOutreach@dot.gov.
   
• Where can I find more information on the legislation?
  For more information on the Investments in Infrastructure And Jobs Act, please see the Law Text and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at USDOT page. For details on Section 25003 Federal Support for Local Decision-Making, please see below.

Public Law No: 117-58 Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act

SEC. 25003. FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR LOCAL DECISION-MAKING.

(a) LOCAL OUTREACH

To determine the data analysis tools needed to assist local communities in making infrastructure decisions, the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shall perform outreach to planning and infrastructure decision-making officials in units of local government and other units of government, including a geographically diverse group of individuals from—

1. States;
2. political subdivisions of States;
3. cities;
4. metropolitan planning organizations;
5. regional transportation planning organizations; and
6. federally recognized Indian Tribes.

(b) WORK PLAN

1. IN GENERAL.  Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, based on the outreach performed under subsection (a), the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shall submit to the Secretary a work plan for reviewing and updating existing data analysis tools and developing any additional data analysis tools needed to assist local communities with making infrastructure investment decisions.
2. CONTENTS.  Based on the needs identified pursuant to the outreach performed under subsection (a), the work plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—
   (A) a description of the data analysis tools identified that would benefit infrastructure decision-making by local governments and address the goals described in subsection (c); 
   (B) a review of the datasets that local governments need to effectively use the data analysis tools described in subparagraph (A);
   (C) an identification of existing or proposed data analysis tools that use publicly available data;
   (D) the estimated cost of obtaining each dataset described in subparagraph (B);
   (E) the estimated cost to develop the data analysis tools described in subparagraph (A);
   (F) a prioritization for the development of data analysis tools described in subparagraph (A); and
   (G) a determination as to whether it would be appropriate for the Federal Government to develop the data analysis tools described in subparagraph (A).

(c) GOALS

1. IN GENERAL.  A data analysis tool created pursuant to the work plan submitted under subsection (b)(1) shall be developed to help inform local communities in making infrastructure investments.
2. SPECIFIC ISSUES.  A data analysis tool created pursuant to the work plan submitted under subsection (b)(1) shall be intended to help units of local government and other units of government address 1 or more of the following:
   (A) Improving maintenance of existing assets.
   (B) Rebuilding infrastructure to a state of good repair.
   (C) Creating economic development through infrastructure development.
   (D) Establishing freight plans and infrastructure that connects the community to supply chains.
   (E) Increasing options for communities that lack access to affordable transportation to improve access to jobs, affordable housing, schools, medical services, foods and other essential community services.
   (F) Reducing congestion.
   (G) Improving community resilience to extreme weather events.
   (H) Any other subject, as the Director determines to be necessary.

(d) IMPLEMENTATION

Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall develop data analysis tools and purchase datasets as prioritized in the work plan.

(e) COORDINATION

The Director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics may utilize existing working groups or advisory committees to perform the local outreach required under subsection (a).