To combat the high rate of pedestrian injuries and fatalities on America’s roadways, the US Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program provides funding for the development of safety action plans and the implementation of projects identified in these plans. Over the past two years of funding, the program has distributed over $1.6B in funding across 811 planning grants and 85 implementation grants.
What's eligible?
Recently, the DOT announced the availability of approximately $1.2B in Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants for 2024. MPOs, local and regional governments, tribal governments, and other political subdivisions of a state may apply to develop a new comprehensive safety action plan, execute supplemental and demonstration activities (e.g., feasibility studies and pilot projects) to further develop an action plan, or implement projects identified in an existing action plan.
How is the funding allocated?
SS4A grants are divided into planning and demonstration grants, which fund the development of new action plans, supplemental planning activities to further develop an existing plan, and/or demonstration activities; and implementation grants, which fund the implementation of projects identified in an action plan.
Action plan grant awards have a minimum of $100k and a maximum of $10M, while implementation grants have a minimum of $2.5M and a maximum of $25M. Awards will cover up to 80% of project costs for both types of grants. Approximately 40% of available funds must go to planning and demonstration grants; because of this rule, most planning and demonstration applications are successful.
What has changed for this year?
This year, DOT is accepting planning applications in three groups, with deadlines on April 4, May 16, and August 29. Each pool will be evaluated separately and unsuccessful applicants in an earlier group may reapply. Unlike planning grants, implementation grants have a single deadline of May 16.
DOT has also introduced new prioritizations for grants. For planning grants, DOT will prioritize applicants with a fatality rate of 17.0 per 100,000 or more. For implementation grants, DOT will prioritize applicants with a finalized safety action plan (for more on the distinction between a qualifying and finalized plan, please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity), as well as applicants with a high death and serious injury per $1 million of Federal funds rate compared to other applications.
How can Via and Remix support your application?
At Via, we believe that safe roadways are critical to equitable mobility for all. That’s why we partnered with Transportation Alternatives on NYC 25x25 Streets, and used Via’s industry-leading Remix Streets software to support the redesign of New York City’s streets. (Explore the project below.)
Software (such as Remix Streets) used in developing and implementing an action plan is an eligible expense for the SS4A grant. In addition, we can support SS4A demonstration activities through the following:
- Remix can ingest, visualize, and analyze relevant Vision Zero data to support Complete Streets re-designs and the identification and prioritization of quick build projects. For example, we can ingest data (from sensor companies and other sources) before, during, and after quickbuild activities to demonstrate the efficacy of various interventions and increase community buy-in.
- Our in-house team of transportation consultants, Via Strategies, can support with training, data sourcing and clean up, existing conditions analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
How can I secure funding for my project?
The Department will evaluate applications on the basis of safety impact, equity, and the use of effective and evidence-based strategies and practices. Implementation grants will also be evaluated on the degree to which they promote environmental sustainability. For more details, please consult the NOFO.
If you’re interested in exploring our planning tools as part of your SS4A application, please reach out to partnerships@ridewithvia.com. We’d love to help as you consider applying and can provide insight on the application process. Applications for implementation grants are due May 16, and the first round for planning grants are due April 4.
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