Region to use USDOT Safe Streets grant to map high-risk locations and develop safety concepts

Staff told the committee the region received a USDOT grant through the Safe Streets and Roads for All program to develop a regional safety study that will use crash data, exposure measures and traffic volumes to identify high-risk locations and develop mitigation concepts.

A staff presenter said the work will be performed in-house rather than contracted to a consultant, using a previously completed regional safety plan as a baseline. The study will look at systemic improvements and corridor-level solutions—examples discussed included center-line and edge-line treatments, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), and other countermeasures that can be implemented regionally rather than rebuilding a single intersection.

Staff said they have an executed agreement with USDOT and are awaiting federal authorization to proceed. When work begins, project advisory committees will include municipal representatives and local police departments to provide local knowledge and crash data.

Committee members discussed applying for implementation grants under the program and noted the program's competitive, nationwide discretionary nature. Staff offered to help municipalities prepare stronger applications and to share a recent debrief to improve submittals.

Staff also noted some communities may later apply for implementation funds once the regional plan has identified priority locations and concepts.