What are lump sums and how do they expedite project implementation for local agencies?
A lump sum is a compilation of a lot of minor capital purchases that if listed individually would take up a lot of space in the MTIP (for example, acquisition of heating/air conditioning units for transit buildings, maintenance equipment for buses and light rail computer equipment and software upgrades, etc.). Instead of listing each item separately, federal planning guidelines alow metropolitan planning organizations such as SACOG to lump sum these minor capital purchases to streamline the MTIP. These lump sums provide a kind of budget for local agencies from which to draw funds and allows local agencies to proceed with high-priority projects and programs with no further action required by SACOG. SACOG uses lump sum categories that are consistent with federal air-quality conformity regulations (Federal Register: 40 CFR Parts 51 and 93).
