The USDOT Notice of Funding Opportunity is now open for the next tranche of Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) federal funds. Grant applications will be accepted until July 10, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. PDT. To apply, agencies should visit grants.gov.

Leverage Iteris expertise

Iteris offers grant-related help for agencies looking to maximize their chances of securing funding. Whether you need grant writing assistance, project planning help, or technology solutions for an existing project, you can consult an Iteris expert; fill out the online Grant Help Request form here.

Funds through 2026

SS4A is a federal grant program that supports local and regional initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets, commonly known as the Vision Zero program. As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), SS4A is a federally funded grant program that makes available 5 billion dollars over 5 years, through FY26.

The SS4A program provides funding for both action-plan and implementation grants. Cities, MPOs, counties and other local governments are eligible to apply.

Project readiness is key

At the ITS America Conference & Expo in April, USDOT Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg emphasized agency preparedness before seeking funds. “I would just say as you are preparing applications, the biggest problem we're seeing is project readiness,” Trottenberg said. “Projects come to us and they haven't really thought through the details, the design, they don't have their local map, there is community work to be done. It is a better use of your time and a better use of our time if you get the project really ready before you come in the door.”

An emphasis on innovative solutions

USDOT has also indicated that SS4A grant applications that embrace “innovative technologies and strategies” will be prioritized.

One example is Iteris’ ClearGuide® smart mobility software solution, which helps agencies improve safety and mobility by analyzing large amounts of complex transportation data to provide insights for smart, data-driven operations and planning decisions.

The ClearGuide Safety package is uniquely suited to help Vision Zero agencies secure SS4A funding. With ClearGuide Safety, agencies can reduce speeding by targeting countermeasures at true speeding hotspots, measure the benefits of safety improvement projects, and identify red-light running and pedestrian safety risks at intersections. ClearGuide Safety enables agencies to implement the right solutions in the right places and measure their impacts, without the need for any hardware installation.

To browse the full array of software, sensors, and human consulting solutions Iteris offers agencies looking to improve safety in their communities—and capture the federal grant funding to help them do so—visit the Iteris Safety Resources hub page. There agencies will find products and services for every stage in the project cycle: from diagnostics and optimization, to measurement and results reporting.

About the Author:

Jeff Venables is marketing manager, smart mobility applications at Iteris. Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn.