REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Andrew Benelli, PE, Assistant Director / City Engineer
Public Works Department, Traffic Operations and Planning
JOHN STANBOULIAN, Public Works Manager
Public Works Department, Traffic Operations and Planning
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the submission of grant applications to the United States Department of Transportation 2022 Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation Grants Program totaling up to $2 million in requests for funding; and authorizing the execution of grant application and grant agreement documents by the Public Works Director.
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) 2022 Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant Program totaling up to $2 million in requests for funding and authorize the execution of all grant applications and grant agreement documents by the Public Works Director.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The SMART Grant Program is administered by the DOT. The purpose of this program 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. This is the first cycle of grant funding offered by this program. In this cycle, the City will submit for up to $2 million for City’s Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS) interoperability with Caltrans ATMS, establishing Center-To-Center Communications with advanced detection, performance measures, and adaptive systems.
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 FY 2022 for the SMART Grants Program. The Notice of Funding solicits applications for activities to be funded under the SMART Grants Program. The FY22 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 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 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 Department of Public Works is requesting City Council approval to submit an application for the development of Advanced Transportation Management System improvements to City and Caltrans Advanced Transportation Management Systems, establishing Center-To-Center Communications with advanced detection, performance, and adaptive systems. The grant application will propose for the research, development, and deployment feasibility study, planning report of these advanced technologies at City’s Traffic Operations Center ATMS and Caltrans Traffic Management Center ATMS and along City arterials and Caltrans freeway ramp traffic signals which are among the most congested corridor segments within the Fresno-Clovis metropolitan region.
The grant applications are due on November 18, 2022. 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