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Traffic & ITS – Safety Improvements

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Bridges

Bridges

Another important IIJA funding priority relates to traffic safety. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) utilizing technology is aimed to save lives, improve lives by reducing congestion, and bring equity to our transportation corridors. The IIJA includes both discretionary and formula funding components. One discretionary grant program supports local initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets, commonly referred to as “Vision Zero” or “Toward Zero Deaths” initiatives. This program supports the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National Roadway Safety Strategy and a goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our nation’s roadways. Funds from this program may be used to develop comprehensive safety action plans, conduct planning studies or design improvements, or for development. Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are eligible to apply for this funding.

Funding is also available to support a new Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant program. Counties can apply for awards for projects based around smart technologies and systems, including smart grid technologies, intelligent sensor-based infrastructure, systems integration, and coordinated automation.

Traffic Signal System Retiming | Columbus, OH

CHA is collecting traffic and signal data to coordinate the major downtown corridors to make travel in all forms safer, more efficient, and more sustainable by reducing congestion and fuel consumption.

Advanced Traffic Management | Miami- Dade, FL

CHA is upgrading the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) and traffic signal controllers with a more state-of-the-art system that will better serve motorists, transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

INDOT Safety Studies Contract | Indiana

INDOT selected CHA to perform safety studies at high crash locations around the state of Indiana. These studies will inform changes to improve safety and quality of life for Indiana residents.

Complete Streets & Roadways

Traffic and congestion impacts motorists, pedestrians, transit users, and bicyclists. Obstacles to smooth traffic flow can disrupt businesses, schools, and emergency vehicles and create mobility and safety challenges for anyone on or near the roads. “‘Complete Streets’ are streets designed and operated to enable safe use and support mobility of all users. Those include people of all ages and abilities, regardless of whether they are traveling as drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, or public transportation riders. The concept of Complete Streets encompasses many approaches to planning, designing, and operating roadways and rights of way with all users in mind to make the transportation network safer and more efficient. Complete Street policies are set at the state, regional, and local levels and are frequently supported by roadway design guidelines (USDOT).” Every traffic route is unique and requires innovative approaches to solve complex mobility issues that embrace new technologies to enhance mobility.

The IIJA established the new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary grant program with $5 billion over the next five years. Communities of all sizes were invited to apply for funding to support regional, local, and Tribal plans, projects, and strategies that will prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

The IIJA considers other factors in addition to safety, including equitable investment in the safety needs of underserved communities. Funding from the $1 billion Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (RCP) will help reconnect communities previously cut off from economic opportunities by transportation infrastructure. Redesigning existing infrastructure, such as building pedestrian and bicycle connections or redesigning intersections and crosswalks for safer access, could help reconnect communities and bring new opportunities to residents and businesses.

RCP – Planning Grants provide for feasibility studies and other planning activities for projects to restore community connectivity by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including mobility, access, or economic development.

RCP – Capital Construction Grants provide for projects to restore community connectivity by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including mobility, access, or economic development.

STARS IV: Hampton Roads Route 143 | VDOT

CHA is responsible for the Safety and Operational Improvements study for the Jefferson Avenue (Route 143) corridor as part of the VDOT’s Strategically Targeted and Affordable Roadway Solutions (STARS) IV program.

Indianapolis Cultural Trail | Indy DPW

CHA served as Program & Construction Manager and provided extensive public outreach for this nationally recognized interconnection of greenways, culture, and arts.

Childers Road Safety & Operational Improvements | Cobb County DOT

CHA was responsible for the concept, survey database, and preliminary, right-of-way, water relocation and final plans for safety and operational improvements.

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