Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act: Pronounced "Ice Tea," this landmark federal legislation signed into law in 1991 made broad changes in the way transportation decisions are made. ISTEA emphasized diversity and balance of modes, as well as the preservation of existing systems before construction of new facilities. ISTEA expired in 1997, but much of its program structure is carried forward in new federal legislation. (SACOG)

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. Federal law providing primary Federal funding for highway and other surface transportation programs in the United States through 1997. ISTEA contains the Intelligent Vehicle-Highway System Act. Directs the establishment of a National ITS program and requires inclusion of a strategic plan for ITS in the United States, implementation and evaluation of ITS technologies, development of standards protocols, an information clearinghouse, the use of advisory committees (one of which is ITS America), and funding for ITS research, development, and testing in such efforts as the corridors program.

The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 - also known as federal reauthorization. Passed by Congress in December of 1991, it provides for a major restructuring of the highway program. Key components of this Act included a increased flexibility in the programming of projects, a level playing field between highway and transit projects with a consistent 80/20 matching ratio, ties to the Federal Clean Air Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, and an emphasis on maintenance of the existing system and operational improvements. The Act was reauthorized in 1997 as TEA-21 (see p. 13) in 2005 as TEA-LU (see page 13).

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. The Federal authorizing legislation for transportation enacted into law in 1991.

Inter-modal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (no longer in vogue, see TEA-21)

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. The 1991 law that reauthorized the federal surface transportation program for six years. ISTEA heralded a new era in surface transportation because of the emphasis on "intermodalism," the unprecedented increases in authorized spending for transit, the ability to use some highway funds for transit (and vice versa) and the increased reliance on regional planning agencies to weigh transportation options and make decisions utilizing public participation.

Predecessor to TEA-21

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. Funded by the US Congress in 1991 and expired in Fall of 1997.

Intermodal Surface Transportation and Efficiency Act of 1991

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. Signed into law on December 18, 1991, it provided authorizations of highways, highway safety,and mass transportation for a six-year period. The purpose of the act is to develop a National Intermodal Transportation System that is economically efficient, environmentally sound, provides the foundation for the Nation to compete in the global economy, and will move people and goods in an efficient manner. Replaced in 1998 by TEA-21.

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, federal transportation bill authorized in 1991, predecessor to TEA21

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act: A highway, safety, and mass transit act. The purpose of the legislation was to develop an economically and environmentally efficient transportation system. This act is superceded by TEA-21 (below).

Intermodal Surface Transportation & Enhancement Act (pronounced Ice-tea).

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. Federal law passed in 1991, provides state and local transportation planners and decision-makers with the flexibility to fund transportation projects, which best meet locally determined goals and objectives for mobility, economic opportunity, and air quality. In addition, ISTEA allows for the flexible use, with some restrictions, of selected traditional Federal Highway and Transit funding sources. In 1998 a new Federal Transportation Act, TEA-21, was passed which succeeds ISTEA.

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. ISTEA was enacted to develop a national intermodal surface transportation system. Funds were authorized for the construction of highways, and for highway safety and mass transit programs. The purpose of the National Intermodal Transportation System is to connect all forms of transportation to reduce energy consumption and air pollution, while promoting economic development and supporting international commerce.