As we embark on a new year, many of us are looking at our goals and deciding how to tackle them. How can we improve our health, or fund our dream vacation? This process doesn’t stop with personal goals. In the transportation industry, many agencies are looking at projects to make our roads safer and more efficient. But how do you procure funds for these projects? While the strategy may vary by project and region, here are a few tips to get you started.
Where to Start
As with tackling most resolutions, the hardest part is often knowing where to start. Researching what’s out there and where to begin can be quite daunting. So, we put together a short list of programs geared to help communities build safer, more efficient roads.
Established in 2015, the FAST Act was the first federal law in over a decade that provided long-term funding for surface transportation infrastructure planning and investment. The FAST Act includes some of the following programs:
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)-
Available to states with a Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), the HSIP aims to make roads safer through the implementation of infrastructure-related highway safety improvements. The overarching requirement states that funds be used for safety projects that improve a hazardous road location or address a highway safety problem. Qualifying projects could include installation of vehicle-to-infrastructure communication equipment, or pedestrian hybrid beacons. Learn more about the requirements and the process here.
Congestion Management Air Quality (CMAQ)
An effort to reduce smog emissions by supporting transportation projects and related efforts that improve air quality and relieve congestion. To be eligible, projects must be included in the metropolitan planning organization’s (MPO’s) or state’s current transportation plan projects. These projects could include the installation of vehicle-to-infrastructure communications equipment, traffic mitigation solutions like adaptive signal control, or the installation of more efficient cabinets and controllers. Click here to learn about related projects and how to apply..
Think Outside the Box
The US DOT is committed to improving public health by creating more opportunities for people to be physically active in their daily routines. Investments in bicycle and pedestrian safety measures do just this by establishing safer routes for people to use to travel to work or simply better explore their favorite communities. To learn more about what funding is available for these type of projects click here.
Insider Tips
Knowing what funds are available is only half the battle. So here are some things to bear in mind throughout the process.
Track the Project
Projects may take less funds than originally allocated for, and often any unused portion must be returned to the funding source. However, that same money can be reallocated to other transportation projects. So, don’t only maximize use of your own funds, but track other projects that may have unused funds that could be reallocated to you.
Review Project Ramifications
Take into consideration the entire project scope when applying for funds. Installing a new cabinet could impact a pedestrian ramp, triggering improvements to all 4 corners of the intersection, requiring a complete signal reconstruction.
We're Here to Help
Procuring funds often feels like an uphill battle, and we want you to know we are here to help. If you have any questions or would like some guidance on where to look for funding or how to go about it, contact us.
McCain, Inc., 2365 Oak Ridge Way, Vista, CA 92081, (888) 262-2246