Regional Traffic Safety Resource Center (RTSRC) Programs

Regional Traffic Safety Resource Center (RTSRC) Programs

Regional Traffic Safety Resource Center (RTSRC) Programs

Project Specifications

FFY 2018

(2/2017)

I. INTRODUCTION

In order to aid local communities in reducing the death and injury rates on Illinois roads and highways, the Illinois Department of Transportation’sBureau of Safety Programs and Engineering (BSPE) established the Regional Traffic Safety Resource Centers (RTSRC). The centers are designed primarily to conduct public information and education campaigns focusing onhighway safety issues. They serve as regional resources providing education, training, and support in promoting safety programs. Local agencies meeting the RTSRC program requirements detailed in the following pages may apply for funding.

Grantees under this program address a wide variety of highway safety issues covering multi-county regions (Addendum 1), including but not limited to the following areas:

  • Provide educational materials and technical tools designed to foster community level approaches to highway safety issues specifically: occupant protection, impaired driving, motorcycle safety, older drivers and distracted driving;
  • Provide evidence based programs aimed at increasing the safety of teenage drivers, inexperienced drivers, and older drivers;
  • Provide injury prevention, victim impact or other highway safety based education programs and trainings to local communities in an effort to reduce injuries and fatalities due tomotor vehicle crashes;
  • Provide education to the public about occupant protection by staffing informational booths at community events;
  • Use data driven approaches to evaluate and address local highway safety issues;
  • Develop/disseminate Child Passenger Safety (CPS) continuing education unit (CEU) opportunities in region; offer, promote, and lead four (4)standardized CPS certification courses and two (2) renewal courses in region;
  • Assist IDOT/BSPE with setting up, promoting, and delivering earned media events, as developed by IDOT’s Office of Communications, for major holiday campaigns and highway safety programs;
  • Establish and maintain community coalitions of law enforcement, public health and local organizations to reduce injury and fatality rates in BSPE’s 23-county breakdown (See Addendum 1).

Funding for these types of programs is limited; current/past funding of a program does not guarantee funding in the future. Program applicants must provide clear data supporting the community need for the program and specific ways this program will utilize funding to improve problem areas. Program applicants must demonstrate how their request will help meet BSPE’s performance goals.

II. APPLICANT AGENCY REQUIREMENTS

A. Eligibility and general information

1. Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible local agencies include: local civic organizations, public and private schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, public agency health departments, local governmental agencies, nonprofit groups and, under limited circumstances, private individuals and businesses.

The applicant agency agrees to the following:

  • To implement a data driven, safety program as detailed in the grant application;
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of the highway safety program;
  • To participate in media and promotional events at the request of BSPE;
  • To participate in the annual Child Passenger Safety Week Campaign, Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” Campaign, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, Distracted Driving Awareness week, Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign, and other holiday seat belt/enforcement efforts.

2. Financial Conditions

Approved projects are funded on a reimbursement basis; that is, eligible documented project expenditures will be reimbursed only after submission of acceptable documentation of approved expenditures.

3. Grant Time Limitations

Under normal circumstances grants funded through this program are considered seed funding and the applicant should make efforts to secure local funding for the long-term sustainability of its program. Each year of funding is considered separately and funding in one (1) year does not imply any commitment for future funding of the program.

4. Funding Specifics and Limitations

Funding is subject to availability and identified need. Certain project activities are subject to budget limitations and/or restrictions.

B. How to Apply

1. Complete Uniform Grant Agreement (RTSRC) online at

  • ProjectTitle (RTRSC) and Description - summarize in 100 wordsor less the proposed project plan.
  • Deliverables & Milestones - The applicant agency shall describe why it would be an ideal agency to support a Regional Traffic Safety Resource Center. This description will be reviewed to determine the benefit to the applicant agency’s local safety program(s) and the Illinois Highway Safety Program. Applicant should describe any previous experience with grants or pilot projects. This is the key portion of the application and sufficient detail should be provided so that all factors of the proposed project can be properly evaluated. This description should include information about the communities (specifically regions – Addendum 2) the RTSRC will serve, including population demographics and local problems to be addressed.To assist the grants selection committee in making an informed decision on whether to fund this grant application, applicant should also include relevant data from areas served including but not limited to:
  • Seat belt usage rate
  • Car seat and booster seat usage rate
  • Motor vehicle fatalities (belted and unbelted)
  • Alcohol or drug related motor vehicle crashes
  • Distracted Driving related motor vehicle crashes
  • Pedestrian, pedalcyclist or other transportation related crash data
  • Performance Measures - State the primary goal(s) of the project. Goal(s) should be stated in measurable items directly related to the problem. Indicate the project objectives which are designed to help accomplish the goal(s). Objectives should be specific and realistic with a reasonable probability of achievement. The goals and objectives for this project must reflect BSPE’s performance measures as outlined in Addendum 3. When developing your project request, the scope of your request must meet one (1) (or more) of the 15 performance measures; otherwise, it will not be considered for funding.
  • Performance Standards -List all tasks or measures necessary to reach the project objectives. Each major step must be described in detail with an estimate of how long it will take to complete. A chart or timetable showing order of the steps should be included. Programs should be evaluated continually. Applicant agencies acknowledge that the program will be evaluated administratively by IDOT/BSPE. The evaluation will include:
  • A timetable to indicate progress
  • Before and after comparison of the problem(s) identified
  • Measure project benefits in terms of measurable goals
  • Identify who will accomplish the evaluation and when
  • Identify the information to be used in evaluation

2. Complete Project Budget

The following line items are eligible for reimbursement in a Regional Traffic Safety Resource Center Program:

:

  • Personnel - List each position(s) by title and show annual salary rate as well as time devoted to the project. Detail position descriptions and how they relate to the project.
  • Fringe Benefits - Provide benefit rate and computation for each position listed in Personnel.
  • Travel - List transportation costs by type; calculate mileage and per diem, detail lodging by number of nights and rate charged. Note: travel costs for consultants and training participants should not be listed here.
  • Equipment - Provide equipment type and justification for use in project. This must be a tangible piece of property with a useful life of more than one year. Examples may include: trailer, laptop, permanent signage.
  • Supplies - Supplies are considered consumable items needed to carry out the project. Supply types should be as specific as possible and include items such as training car seats and materials, office paper, printer cartridges, printing fees, and postage.
  • Contractual Services - List project requiring contractor or vendor services and detail activities related to project. Examples may include: facility rental, IT services.
  • Consultant - List name or title and detail service to be provided. Detail daily or weekly fee and time spent on project. Examples may include: Child Passenger Safety Instructor Fees, training travel vouchers.
  • Occupancy - Rent and Utilities - Provide monthly rental rate and size of space(s) rented. Detail utility costs.
  • Telecommunications - List item(s) and description of use in project. Detail item cost and monthly service charges.
  • Training and Education - Describe the training and costs associated with attendance and travel.
  • Direct Administrative Costs - Consult with Program Office before budgeting direct administrative costs.
  • Miscellaneous Costs - Consult with Program Office before budgeting miscellaneous costs.
  • Grant Exclusive Line Items - Cite reference for unique costs directly related to the service of the project.
  • Indirect Costs-The amount for indirect costs should be calculated by applying the current negotiated indirect cost rate (ICR) percentage to the approved or projected base (budget total). ICR x base = total indirect costs.

3. Administration

Determine Executive Director, Chief Fiscal Officer,Authorizing Representative and Grantee Contact for grant deliverables. These contacts should remain the same for the duration of the project.

  • Executive Director–This contact will have direct knowledge of the day-to-day operation ofthe project. They cannot be listed as personnel on the project. TheExecutive Director must sign the proposed Uniform Grant Agreement and other documents throughout the duration of the project.
  • Chief Fiscal Officer - This contact has the capability to obligate funds onbehalf of the grantee. They cannot be listed as personnel on the project. TheChief Fiscal Officermust sign the proposed Uniform Grant Agreement and other documents throughout the duration of the project.
  • Authorizing Representative - This contact will have direct knowledge of the project funding guidelines and deliverables. The Authorizing Representative has the capability to obligate funds on behalf of the grantee and cannot be listed as personnel on the project. The Authorizing Representative will sign grant documents throughout the duration of the project.
  • Grantee Contact - This contact will have direct knowledge of the project and is responsible for overseeing day-to-day activities that support the grant deliverables. The Grantee Contact will work directly with the agency’s IDOT/BSPE grant administrator.

C. Application Submittal

1. Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

  • The NOFO for the FFY 2018 Highway Safety Grants is located at the link below. Please go to the link to determine which program(s) your agency would like to apply for. Read the NOFO carefully.
  • The NOFO will be listed as 18-0343-01 State and Community Highway Safety/National Priority Safety Programs. This is the number and title for FFY 2018 Highway Safety Grants.

2. Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Unit

  • In addition to the grant itself, each agency in Illinois MUST complete pre-registration forms with the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Unit. The link below will guide you through that process. If your agency registered last year, your agency must register again for FFY 2018. Please work with your agency’s fiscal office in registering.

3. Available Grants

  • There are six different programs for FFY 2018 applications:

a)STEP/eLAP (Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program/Enforcement Local Alcohol Program)

b)LAP (Local Alcohol Program)

c)IP (Injury Prevention)

d)RTSRC (Regional Traffic Safety Resource Center)

e)CPS (Child Passenger Safety)

f)Traffic Records

  • Once a determination has been made concerning the program(s) your agency would like to apply for, go to and complete the application, budget template and attachment for each program.
  • The Programmatic Risk Assessment also needs to be completed and is located at Please answer the questions and submit it with the application package as directed below.

4. Required Paperwork

  • The following documents are required for application:

a)Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance

b)Uniform Budget Template

c)Grant Attachment 1

d)Programmatic Risk Assessment

  • Complete all of the appropriate paperwork.
  • Save each document to your computer naming it “YOUR AGENCY NAME – FFY 2018 APPLICATION (or BUDGET, ATTACHMENT or RISK ASSESSMENT)”. Keep the specifications for your own knowledge.
  • Email to . List your agency name and FFY 2018 Application in the Subject line of your email. Include each of the following as a separate inserted document but in one single email submission:

a)Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance

b)Uniform Budget Template

c)Grant Attachment 1

d)Programmatic Risk Assessment

  • If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact your Law Enforcement Liaison or Grant Administrator first. If you need additional assistance, contact Kathy Tolle at .

REMEMBER: In order for an application for federal dollars to be accepted by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Safety Programs and Engineering, the agency MUST pre-register with the GATA Unit, and have an active DUNS with(you cannot use this as a link due to browser issues – type into your browser to access the DUNS information). Work with your fiscal office to ensure the correct DUNS is used for reimbursement purposes related to this grant application, and submit the application with supplemental paperwork by extended due date of May 1, 2017. If any of these steps are NOT completed, the application cannot be accepted for a FFY 2018 grant.

The Illinois Department of Transportation will reply with an electronic receipt of delivery once received (Please allow 2-3 business days for this email to arrive).

If all required attachments are not within the e-mail, the applicant will be contacted immediately. It will not be considered a complete application until all required documents are confirmed as received.

*Applications will not be evaluated and considered for funding if received through U.S. Postal Service for FFY2018.

Extended APPLICATION DUE DATE: May 1, 2017

III. IDOT REQUIREMENTS

  1. Project Approval

Each request for funding will be assigned to a GrantAdministratorwho will work directly with the applicant agency. Project approval depends on the availability of funds and project specification compliance. If the request is approved, a Uniform Grant Agreement will be sent to the applicant agency for signatures of the Authorizing Representative, Executive Director and the Chief Fiscal Officer. The Executive Director and the Chief Fiscal Officer must be two (2) different individuals. When the agreement is returned, it is signed by the Governor's Highway Safety Representative. The executed agreement becomes a legally binding contract by which the project will be administered.

  1. Reimbursement

Uniform Grant Agreements are funded on a reimbursement basis. The grantee pays the cost for program operation using its own funds and will be reimbursed once the claim for reimbursement has been submitted to IDOT and approved for payment.

Addendum 1

Addendum 2

Regional Traffic Safety Resource Center Regions

Addendum 3

The following performance measures were generated using the rolling averages of last five years of available data (2011-2015).

  1. To reduce the statewide traffic fatalities from 1,009 (2007-2011 average) to 904 by December 31, 2018.
  1. To reduce the statewide severe injuries from 13,379 (2007-2011 average) to 10,263 by December 31, 2018.
  1. To reduce the statewide traffic fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (VMT) from 0.95 (2007-2011 average) to 0.87 by December 31, 2018.
  1. To reduce the rural traffic fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (VMT) from 1.54 (2007-2011 average) to 1.5 by December 31, 2018.
  1. To reduce the urban traffic fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (VMT) from 0.75 (2007-2011 average) to 0.65 by December 31, 2018.
  1. To reduce the statewide severe injury rate per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (VMT) from 13.6 (2007-2011 average) to 10.3 by December 31, 2018.
  1. To reduce the number of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities from 305 (2007-2011 average) to 230 by December 31, 2018.
  1. To reduce the total number of fatalities in crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator

with a BAC of 0.08 or higher from 336 (2007-2011 average) to 282 by December 31, 2018.

  1. To reduce the statewide speed-related fatalities from 423 (2007-2011 average) to 375 by

December 31, 2018.

  1. To keep the statewide motorcycle fatalities under 140 (2007-2011 average) by December 31, 2018.
  1. To reduce the number of unhelmeted motorcycle fatalities from 106 (2007-2011 average) to 104 by December 31, 2018.
  1. To reduce the total number of fatalities of drivers 15-20 years old from 157 (2007-2011 average) to 98 by December 31, 2018.
  1. To reduce the number of statewide pedestrian fatalities from 133 (2007-2011 average) to 130 by December 31, 2018.
  1. To keep the statewide number of pedalcycle fatalities under 23 (2007-2011 average) by December 31, 2018.
  1. To increase the statewide seat belt usage rate from 91.6 percent (2007-2011 average) to 95.2 percent by December 31, 2018.
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