Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director
Reviewed By
Erin E. Baynes, Assistant to the Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Application with the United States Department of Transportation for a Planning and Demonstration Project Grant to Implement Recommendations from the Vision Zero Plan
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Overview
Overview
The Federal Department of Transportation recently released a call for grant applications for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program to improve roadway safety for all users. Since the Vision Zero Plan (VZP) has not yet been completed, the Village can only apply for supplemental planning activities and demonstration projects with this round of SS4A grants. Staff recommends applying for two supplemental planning activities and three demonstration projects. SS4A grant funds cover 80% of the costs for the work which would likely be in 2026, pending award of the grants.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Background
The Federal Department of Transportation recently released a call for grant applications for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program to improve roadway safety for all users. The SS4A program has two options for grant applications; implementation grants for communities with an approved action plan such as a Vision Zero Plan (VZP) or planning and demonstration project grants for communities that don’t yet have an approved action plan. Since the Village is still working on the VZP, staff recommends applying for planning and demonstration projects with this round of SS4A grant applications.
Multiple planning activities and demonstration projects can be included in the application and the USDOT may award partial grants. Staff is working with Sam Schwartz Consulting on the grant application due May 16, 2024.
Staff plans to submit a grant application which includes supplemental planning for two activities related to developing and updating policies, guidelines, and standards (complete streets update, crosswalk marking policy, pedestrian signal policy, safety over convenience policy, traffic signal timing standards, standard details, etc.) and one for updating and integrating the traffic calming process with the VZP. Staff is also applying for three demonstration projects in the application, including a demonstration project for the study and trial implementation of temporary improvements for portions of the high injury network; a study and trial implementation of temporary improvements around schools and parks; and developing and implementing new traffic signal timing plans, including pedestrian recall and leading pedestrian intervals on a portion of our traffic signal network at the Village’s higher (or more vulnerable) pedestrian crossing locations.
Fiscal Impact
Since the grant application is being developed, exact costs are not yet known but are estimated at approximately $1,000,000 for all the proposed work. SS4A grants cover 80% of the costs for these projects, so the Village’s share would be roughly $200,000. The 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan includes $250,000 in 2025 and $150,000 in 2026 for implementation of Vision Zero in the Capital Improvement Fund, Public Works-Engineering, for Traffic Calming Improvements account 3095.43780.101.570955. Should the Village receive notice of award of the grant, future years' budgets will be adjusted to match the Village’s local share of the grant.
DEI Impact
N/A
Alternatives
The Board can choose not to submit a grant application for this round of SS4A grants.
Previous Board Action
N/A
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Should the Village of Oak Park receive SS4A funds for these projects, the Village will be required to enter into an agreement with the Federal Highway Administration and future years’ budgets will include funds for the Village’s share of the project.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
This grant involves the Village working with the Federal Department of Transportation to help fund safety-related projects and implement the Vision Zero Plan.