Equity in Transportation

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Committed to Equity in Transportation

NJDOT is committed to ensuring that the funds allocated in its grant programs are equitably distributed across the state and meet the needs of our more vulnerable and traditionally underserved populations. NJDOT, in collaboration with the state's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), is working to ensure that the Federal Grant program meets the federal and state standards for ensuring equity in grant distribution. NJDOT is also incorporating equity into state aid programs.

Program Improvements

Starting with the 2020 Transportation Alternatives solicitation, NJDOT and the MPOs added an equity component to the TAP program. The addition of this scoring criteria will ensure that applications benefit underserved communities with populations defined by:

  • Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Executive Order 13985, 
  • Executive Order on Environmental Justice (EJ) 12898,
  • New Jersey Governor's Executive Order 23,
  • Limited English Proficiency (LEP); and
  • Individuals with disabilities.

Community Support

Community leaders and advocates are encouraged to consult your Local Government about project selection and work with them to ensure that projects are equitably distributed across your municipality. Each MPO has information for their sub-region to help you determine if a proposed project meets the equity criteria.

How We Can Support You

Proposed projects still need to fall within one of the seven categories for selection, be well-developed, and construction ready to first qualify for consideration.

To ensure that all LPAs get the assistance they need to develop a competitive application, the DOT is offering various pre-application support on an as-needed basis. We encourage you to take advantage. You can also find additional resources below.

Resources

Environmental Justice Screening Tool (EJSCREEN)

Municipalities, Community Groups, and Advocates can use the EJ Screening tool to check if their proposed project will meet the EJ criteria.
Use the Screening Tool.
Screening Tool Guide

Federal Executive Order 12898

Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice (EJ) in Minority and Low-Income Populations (EO).
Read the Executive Order

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

USDOT EJ Resources
Read the EJ Strategy
Read EJ Order 5610.2

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

FHWA Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations.
Read EJ Order 6640.23

Federal Executive Order 13985

Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government
Read the Executive Order

New Jersey Executive Order 23

Guidance for agencies to incorporate EJ considerations into all actions.
Learn more

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)

DVRPC: Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer counties
SJTPO: Atlantic, Cape May, Salem, and Cumberland counties
NJTPA: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren counties

NJDOT’s Nondiscrimination Policy

Title VI Nondiscrimination Notice to Subrecipients of Federal Financial Assistance
Read the Memorandum