REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Jill M. Gormley, TE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
JOHN STANBOULIAN, Manager
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION- Authorizing the submission of grant applications to United States Department of Transportation (DOT) Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program for Smart City or Community Technologies and Systems Projects totaling up to $2 million in requests of grant application funding and authorizing the execution of grant application and grant agreement documents by the Public Works Director or Designee(s).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of grant applications to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) 2023 Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant Program, totaling up to $2 million in a request for funding; and authorize the execution of all grant applications and grant agreement documents by the Public Works Director or designee(s).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
United States Department of Transportation SMART Grant Program purpose is to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart city or community technologies and systems in a variety of communities to improve transportation efficiency and safety. The DOT funds projects that are focused on using technology interventions to solve real-world challenges and build data and technology capacity and expertise in the public sector. The Public Works Department SMART Grant Program Stage 1 applications will request funding for a research and proof-of-concept development of a cloud based bicycle and pedestrian application for the City’s Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) to improve overall efficiency and safety for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
BACKGROUND
Section 25005 of the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act referred to as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” or “BIL” authorized and appropriated $100 million to be awarded by the Department of Transportation for 2022-2026 for the SMART Grants Program. The Notice of Funding solicits applications for activities to be funded under the SMART Grants Program. The 2023 funding will be implemented, as appropriate and consistent with law, in alignment with the priorities in Executive Order 1402, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The purpose of the SMART Grants Program funds is to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart city or community technologies and systems in a variety of communities to improve transportation efficiency and safety. The Program funds projects that are focused on using technology interventions to solve real-world challenges and build data and technology capacity and expertise in the public sector.
The SMART Grants Program includes two stages: Stage 1 Planning and Prototyping Grants (Stage 1 grants) and Stage 2 Implementation Grants (Stage 2 grants). The program structure is based on a belief that planning, prototyping, and partnership are critical to advancing the state of the practice for data and technology projects in the public sector. DOT anticipates that only recipients of Stage 1 Planning and Prototyping Grants will be eligible for Stage 2 Implementation Grants, and DOT anticipates funding projects of up to $2,000,000 per project for Stage 1 and up to $15,000,000 per project for Stage 2.
The Public Works Department’s SMART Grant Stage 1 grant applications will seek funding for the research, development as a proof of concept, and associated system engineering verification and validation of a bicycle and pedestrian application for the City’s Advanced Management Transportation System to improve the overall system efficiency and safety for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. The SMART Grant Application will propose for the Cubic/Trafficware ITS Inc.’s research, development, and any system engineering associated verification and validation for a proof-of-concept cloud based ATMS bicycle and pedestrian application.
The grant applications are due on October 10, 2023. The City Attorney’s office has reviewed and approved the staff report and resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not included because this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This resolution will have no impact on the General Fund. The Stage 1 grant does not require matching funds.
Attachments:
Resolution