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Safety Grants

We provide traffic safety grants to local governments, Pennsylvania State-related universities and Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities, and nonprofit organizations to improve highway safety and reduce deaths and serious injuries due to crashes.

The grant program utilizes federal funding authorized under 23 U.S.C. 402 and 23 U.S.C. 405 and administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The program is structured on the federal fiscal year, which runs Oct. 1-Sept. 30. Grant opportunities reflect evidence-based countermeasures proven to address the most critical traffic safety needs identified through data analysis. Available funds are distributed to projects using allocation formulas based on crash data.

Grants Overview

Funds identified for state agencies are distributed through Notice of Subgrant or Transfer Agreements. Grants to local political subdivisions and nonprofit organizations are administered through the department's eGrants electronic grants management system. Use of funds is restricted by the requirements of federal legislation and Pennsylvania Title 75.

Grant applications must address critical safety needs based on analysis of crash data as the principal basis for programs. Data analysis and problem identification is the foundation for each project and will determine the structure and accuracy of the goals, activities, measures and evaluation efforts for the duration of the project period. Analysis might include multiple years of crash injury and fatality data; license, registration and conviction data; as well as demographic and other data from various sources. Data should be graphically represented to identify safety problems and support subsequent development of goals and activities. The application must clearly identify and define problems and relate this data to broad program area goals and specific countermeasures to be implemented.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants vary for each grant opportunity but generally include state and local* governments, Pennsylvania State-related universities and Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities, and nonprofit organizations with existing IRS 501(c)(3) status. See specific grant opportunities for additional information concerning eligibility.

*Local governments means a county, municipality, city, town, township, local public authority (including public and Indian housing agency under the United States Housing Act of 1937), council of governments (whether or not incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under state law), and other regional or interstate government entity, or any agency or instrumentality of a local government.

Minimum Qualifications for Applications

  • Deliver services promptly.
  • Manage public funds efficiently and ethically.
  • Collaborate with other community, governmental and private organizations.
  • Develop data-driven problem-solving plans.
  • Develop measurable goals based on multi-year data.
  • Adequately evaluate the success of a project.
  • Have a Certification of Responsibility Determination (Commonwealth Contractor Responsibility Program DOT Certification).
  • Have an approved Lobbying Certification Form (if applicable).
  • Have a statement on agency letterhead that names a person who has authority to enter into agreements with PennDOT on behalf of their agency and who will be responsible for submitting the final proposal in eGrants.
  • Have an established Central Vendor Management Unit (CVMU) number, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and SAP Partner number (if applicable).
  • Upon grant award, use email, telephone and other technology to stay in periodic contact with assigned PennDOT program manager and assigned Regional Comprehensive Planning Team and to answer inquiries and requests from the general public.
  • Most grantees are required to have an approved PCIT Legal Agreement to access PCIT Restricted Access sections on file before the start of the grant term. This restricted section will provide crash data resources and tools beneficial for building proposals, monitoring law enforcement participation under the Commonwealth’s highway safety program and for planning activities related to both finalized and emerging crash data trends.
  • Utilization of PennDOT's grant management system, eGrants, is required by all successful non-state government applicants, for all grant administrative interactions.

Funding

  • Project funding will be provided under the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance numbers 20.600 (23 U.S.C. §402) and 20.616 (23 U.S.C. §405).
  • Applicants must develop a budget to align with federal reporting requirements.
  • Program budgets utilize an allocation formula based on reportable crashes.
  • These are cost-reimbursement grants. The grantee must pay 100 percent of all costs associated with the grant award. Reimbursement claims are submitted to PennDOT, reviewed for eligibility, and forwarded to the Office of Comptroller Operations and PA Treasury for processing. No payments in advance or in anticipation of goods or services will be made by PennDOT.
  • Single item purchases in excess of $5,000, the hiring of personnel and out-of-state travel will require substantial justification and prior approval. Costs incurred under any project to be considered eligible for federal reimbursement shall be submitted for processing within 30 days after the completion of the grant period. PennDOT cannot guarantee reimbursement for costs submitted beyond 30 days.
  • Single item purchases over $500 need PennDOT pre-approval even if they are approved in the initial approved budget.

eGrants

All successful non-state government applicants are required to utilize PennDOT's electronic grants management system, eGrants.

Federal Fiscal Year 2024-2026 Local Grant Opportunities*

For additional information regarding FFY 2024-2026 Local Grant Opportunities, contact the identified PennDOT Program Manager.

1. Community Traffic Safety Project

Traffic safety educational outreach programs to schools and communities targeting local safety issues identified through data analysis. Provide support towards national and statewide enforcement mobilizations and other programs.

PennDOT Contact: Christy Timbrell, Highway Safety Outreach Programs Manager (717-783-4577; ctimbrell@pa.gov)

2. Municipal Police Traffic Services Enforcement Program

Coordination of local police participation in impaired driving, occupant protection, aggressive driving, and pedestrian safety enforcement countermeasures, including officer overtime, necessary equipment purchases, and associated training.

PennDOT Contact: Troy Love, Police Traffic Services Program Manager (717-783-1902; trlove@pa.gov)

3. DUI Courts Program

Development and facilitation of a DUI Court system, including judicial training in the area of DUI courts, establishment of new probation officers to monitor DUI court participants, and necessary equipment.

PennDOT Contact: Troy Love, Police Traffic Services Program Manager (717-783-1902; trlove@pa.gov)

4. Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor

Coordination of the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor position in accordance with national and state guidelines in support of the Commonwealth’s Highway Safety Program.

PennDOT Contact: Troy Love, Police Traffic Services Program Manager (717-783-1902; trlove@pa.gov)

5. Judicial Outreach Liaison (JOL) Program

Coordination of the Judicial Outreach Liaison position in accordance with national and state guidelines in support of the Commonwealth’s Highway Safety Program.

PennDOT Contact: Troy Love, Police Traffic Services Program Manager (717-783-1902; trlove@pa.gov)

6. Statewide DUI Program Coordination

Coordination of technical services in support of the Commonwealth's Impaired Driving Program, including specialized training and statewide coordination of the Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program.

PennDOT Contact: Troy Love, Police Traffic Services Program Manager (717-783-1902; trlove@pa.gov)

7. Statewide Traffic Records Program Support

Coordination of activities designed to assist PennDOT with supporting Pennsylvania Police Agency crash report filing in addition to other services as identified.

PennDOT Contact: Christy Timbrell, Highway Safety Outreach Programs Manager (717-783-4577; ctimbrell@pa.gov)

8. Statewide Law Enforcement Liaison Program Coordination (PTS)

Provides administrative and technical support for state and local law enforcement participation in grant-funded enforcement operations in alignment with National Law Enforcement Liaison Program standards and best practices.

PennDOT Contact: Troy Love, Police Traffic Services Program Manager (717-783-1902; trlove@pa.gov)

9. Child Passenger Safety Educational Initiatives

Supplements efforts provided by the existing statewide child passenger safety project organized by the PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project (PA TIPP) by providing additional trainings for CPS technicians across the state, broaden outreach efforts, and distribute car seats to underserved communities.

PennDOT Contact: Christy Timbrell, Highway Safety Outreach Programs Manager (717-783-4577; ctimbrell@pa.gov)

10. Distracted Driving Outreach

Provides education and outreach to change dangerous driving behaviors especially among teen drivers.

PennDOT Contact: Christy Timbrell, Highway Safety Outreach Programs Manager (717-783-4577; ctimbrell@pa.gov)

*Additional grant opportunities may be offered throughout the year based on funding availability and approval by PennDOT and NHTSA.

Frequently Asked Questions

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