; and (2) construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, acquisition of real property (including land related to the project and improvements to such land), environmental mitigation, construction contingencies, acquisition of equipment, and operational improvements. (e) Rural areas (1) In general The Secretary shall reserve not less than 25 percent of the amounts made available to carry out this section for projects located in rural areas. (2) Definition of rural area In this subsection, the term rural area means all areas of a State not included in urbanized areas. (3) Excess funding If the Secretary determines that there are insufficient qualified applicants to use the funds set aside under this subsection, the Secretary may use such funds for grants for any projects eligible under this section. (f) Evaluation To evaluate applications under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) develop a process to objectively evaluate applications on the benefits of the project proposed in such application— (A) to transportation safety, including reductions in traffic fatalities and serious injuries; (B) to state of good repair, including improved condition of bridges and pavements; (C) to transportation system access, including improved access to jobs and services; and (D) in reducing greenhouse gas emissions; (2) develop a rating system to assign a numeric value to each application, based on each of the criteria described in paragraph (1); (3) compare the total benefits of each application submitted, as determined by the rating system developed under paragraph (2), with the costs of such application, and rank each application based on the results of the comparison