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Consideration of request from Engineering Division to accept Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant funding for the purpose of demonstrating temporary traffic circles at five neighborhood intersections and demonstrating the use of data collection equipment in performing near-miss safety studies at the two traffic signalized intersections and to approve a Level Three Fund Transfer of $99,180.40 in grant revenues and project expenditures
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Submitted by:
Michael May, PE, PTOE, RSP1
Department:
DPW - Engineering
A. Issue
Milwaukee County was approved SS4A grant funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) with the City of Wauwatosa as a grant beneficiary.
B. Background/Options
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the SS4A discretionary program. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The grants are broken into two categories: planning and demonstration grants, and implementation grants.
Milwaukee County invited its municipalities in summer of 2023 to partake in a joint planning and demonstration grant application. Five municipalities participated: Village of Greendale (portable speed bumps and speed trailers), Village of Shorewood (temporary traffic circles, curb extensions, and speed table), City of South Milwaukee (temporary road narrowing and speed trailers), City of West Allis (portable speed bumps), and City of Wauwatosa. Milwaukee County’s application was fully awarded by FHWA in late summer 2024.
Wauwatosa’s proposed SS4A demonstration activities include the following:
• Temporary Traffic Circles: Purchase bollards, flexible rubber stops, planters, plants, soil, and signage to deploy temporary traffic circles at five neighborhood intersections within the community. The grant will cover 80% of all costs, which include equipment, direct communication with impacted residents, city labor, and consulting services to perform the analysis.
• Near-Miss Data Collection & Analysis: Purchase of two Miovision camera systems and necessary equipment for power and connectivity to perform near-miss data analysis at the North Avenue & Wauwatosa Avenue intersection and the Swan Boulevard & Menomonee River Parkway intersection. These intersections were proposed by staff due to the high volume of vulnerable road users at the intersections. The grant will cover 80% of all costs, which include equipment, city labor, and consulting services to perform the analysis.
The following table summarizes the total project costs for each of the two demonstration activities, the 80% reimbursement through the SS4A grant, and the 20% amount to be funded by the City of Wauwatosa.
Upon project completion, reports will be provided to Milwaukee County and FHWA with the results of the demonstration projects. All materials purchased through the grant program will be retained by the City of Wauwatosa so-as to avoid demonstration waste. The materials will be repurposed for additional temporary traffic calming demonstration, data collection, and analysis purposes.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
Priority 2: Public Safety, Goal 2. Proactively address pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular safety.
D. Fiscal Impact
The total project cost is $123,975.50 with a local match of $24,795.10. The local match is proposed to be funded from the Reckless, Accountable, and Distracted Driving Roads Program (Vehicle Registration Fee) which is already budgeted. $99,180.40 will be reimbursed to the City through SS4A grant reimbursements. A level three fund transfer is required to budget the grant (non-local match) amount of $99,180.40.
E. Recommendation
Approve the request from the Engineering Division to accept Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant funding for the purpose of demonstrating temporary traffic circles at five neighborhood intersections and demonstrating the use of data collection equipment in performing near-miss safety studies at the two traffic signalized intersections, and approve a Level Three Fund Transfer of $99,180.40 in grant revenues and project expenditures.