[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 41 (Friday, February 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11188-11190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3716]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Rural Safety Innovation Program

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of solicitation for applications to enter into 
agreements with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or the 
``Department'') for funding to support qualified Rural Safety 
Innovation Program projects.

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SUMMARY: The goal of the Rural Safety Innovation Program is to improve 
rural road safety by assisting rural communities in addressing highway 
safety problems and by providing rural communities the opportunity to 
compete for project funding to address these problems. The program will 
encourage States and rural communities to develop creative, locally 
crafted solutions to roadway safety problems, document their efforts 
and outcomes, and share the results with other communities across the 
country.
    Through the Rural Safety Innovation Program, the Department aims to 
heighten awareness and interest in rural safety issues, and promote the 
benefits of rural safety countermeasures which can reduce rural crashes 
and fatalities nationwide. By providing technical assistance and best 
practice guidance from the program we will give States and rural road 
owners better tools to improve road safety in their communities.
    The primary objectives of the Rural Safety Innovation Program are 
to:
    i. Improve safety on local and rural roads with innovative 
approaches in which rural communities develop and design local 
solutions to their roadway safety problems.
    ii. Provide best practices and lessons learned on innovative safety 
technologies to assist local and rural road owners and operators in the 
development and implementation of infrastructure-based rural safety 
countermeasures that complement behavioral safety efforts.
    iii. Promote national awareness and interest in addressing rural 
safety issues.
    iv. Promote the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) 
technologies to improve safety on rural roads.

DATES: Applications must be received on or before April 14, 2008. 
Proposals for applications selected for potential funding will be due 
in June 2008.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties should submit Applications to Mr. John E. 
Dewar, State and Local Programs Team Leader, Federal Highway 
Administration (FHWA), Office of Safety, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, electronically to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John E. Dewar, Federal Highway 
Administration, Office of Safety, (202) 366-2218, [email protected], 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are 
from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Electronic Access and Filing: An electronic copy of this document 
may be downloaded from the Office of the Federal Register's home page 
at: http://www.archives.gov and the Government Printing Office's Web 
page at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.

A. Background

    Rural roads account for approximately 40 percent of the vehicle 
miles traveled in the U.S., but almost 55 percent of fatalities. 
According to the latest data, 23,339 people were killed in rural 
crashes in 2006 and the fatality rate for rural crashes is more than 
twice the fatality rate in urban crashes. Over 75 percent of all U.S. 
road miles are rural, and of the over 3 million miles of rural roads, 
almost 80 percent are owned and operated by local entities. Head-on 
collisions are more frequent in rural areas, occurring about twice as 
often as in urban areas. Rural collector roads account for 31 percent 
of all rural road deaths, whereas urban collector roads account for 
only 8 percent of urban road deaths. Speeding is a common contributor 
to rural road deaths. Over 70 percent of the fatal crashes on high 
speed roadways (speed limit of 55 mph or higher) occurred in rural 
areas. The fatality rate per vehicle miles travel (VMT) on local roads 
is more than twice that of Interstates.
    Getting infrastructure safety information and more effective 
countermeasure tools to State and local officials is critical to 
improving national rural road safety. There are over 3,000 counties and 
more than 16,000 towns and township governments in the U.S. that vary 
widely in the size of the engineering staff and their ability to design 
and implement infrastructure safety countermeasures on rural roads. 
Rural safety continues to be a significant national problem in the 
effort to reduce highway fatalities. Successful efforts to combat the 
rural safety problem require an interdisciplinary approach including 
engineering, enforcement, education and emergency medical services.

B. Funding

    Currently, FHWA is proposing to use FY 2008 funds, drawn from 
available portions of the Delta Region Transportation Development 
Program, as well as the U.S. Department of Transportation Intelligent 
Transportation System (ITS) program for the Rural Safety Innovation 
Program. Each Federal funding source has unique criteria for eligible 
activities, eligible facilities/locations, and cost sharing that must 
be met. Awards will be made to rural projects that meet the eligibility 
criteria under one or both of these funding sources. Potential 
Applicants should review the eligibility requirements for each of the 
potential Federal funding sources described below before submitting an 
Application.
    The FHWA's Delta Region Transportation Development Program supports 
and encourages multi-State transportation planning and corridor 
development, provides for transportation project development, 
facilitates transportation decisionmaking, and supports transportation 
construction on Federal-aid highways in the portions of the eight 
States comprising the Delta Regional Authority's region (Alabama, 
Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and 
Tennessee). Eligible projects must have the endorsement of the State 
Department of Transportation. Detailed information on Delta Region 
Transportation Development Program requirements can be found at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/1308drtdp.htm.
    The U.S. Department of Transportation Intelligent Transportation 
Systems Program focuses on intelligent vehicles, intelligent 
infrastructure and the creation of an intelligent transportation system 
through integration with and between

[[Page 11189]]

these two components. Further information on potential safety 
application of ITS in rural areas can be found at:

Safety Applications of ITS in Rural Areas--http://www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/jpodocs/repts_te/13609_files/Contents.htm.
DOT ITS Web page--http://www.its.dot.gov.
DOT Highway Safety Web page--http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/.
Benefits information--http://www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov/.
Cost information--http://www.itscosts.its.dot.gov/.
Lessons learned--http://www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/.
Deployment information--http://www.itsdeployment.its.dot.gov/SurveyOutline1.asp?SID=swcps.
FHWA research--http://www.tfhrc.gov/research.htm.

    We anticipate funding of $15 million or more to be available for 
the Rural Safety Innovation Program, drawn from the programs described 
above. Successful projects will demonstrate application of innovative 
technologies and approaches with significant potential for improving 
safety on eligible rural roads through infrastructure and technology 
improvements. Applicants must provide the appropriate match for the 
Federal funding source proposed.
    It is estimated that competitive awards will be made in the range 
of $200 thousand to $2 million per project. The range is established to 
allow applicants the flexibility to respond as quickly as possible with 
appropriate new projects requiring modest funding and resources, or 
higher cost projects which may already be in development. Given the 
great expanse of rural roads, innovative approaches that may offer 
possible safety benefits at low costs are encouraged. Specific 
evaluation criteria are identified below.

C. Application Process

    The selection process consists of two phases: Submission of a Rural 
Safety Innovation Program Application, followed by an invitation to 
submit a formal Proposal in Phase II. Each phase is discussed below.
    i. Phase I: The Rural Safety Innovation Program is geared toward 
entities responsible for rural roads and highways such as counties, 
towns, townships and Tribal governments partnering with State 
departments of transportation. Applicants interested in the Rural 
Safety Innovation Program should submit a Rural Safety Innovation 
Program Application to the DOT. The length of the Application should 
not exceed ten, single-spaced pages. The Application should, in general 
terms, describe the proposed Rural Safety Innovation Program Project 
including its location, general project description, design and 
implementation outline, financial plan, management and staffing plan as 
well as a proposed project schedule. The Applicant may be requested to 
submit additional information if more information is needed at this 
stage. The deadline for submitting an Application is April 14, 2008.
    If the Applicant is accepted for the final competition (Phase II), 
the Applicant will be invited to submit a Rural Safety Innovation 
Program Proposal, discussed below. The DOT intends to announce 
qualified Phase I candidates of the Rural Safety Innovation Program in 
early April 2008.
    ii. Phase II: Rural Safety Innovation Program Proposal
    If an Applicant is invited to submit a Rural Safety Innovation 
Program Proposal, the Proposal should be received no later than June 
20, 2008. The Proposal should also reflect the support of all Federal, 
State, Local, and Tribal governments that operate facilities which will 
be directly impacted by the proposed rural safety project. The DOT 
intends to announce the Proposals selected for funding in August 2008.
    Applicants invited to participate in Phase II will be given 
detailed guidelines needed to develop their Proposal. At a minimum, the 
Proposal should include a detailed project description including goals, 
objectives, location, proposed countermeasures, and expected benefits, 
a design and implementation plan, a financial plan, and a management 
and staffing plan including a detailed project schedule/timeline.

D. Eligibility Information

    i. Eligible applicants--The Rural Safety Innovation Program is 
geared toward entities responsible for rural roads and highways such as 
counties, towns, townships and Tribal governments partnering with State 
departments of transportation. Coordination of proposals with the State 
Highway Safety Office is strongly encouraged. Letters of commitment 
should be submitted from the chief executive from each participating 
jurisdiction. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for the 
Federal funding source being proposed. Refer to section B. for links to 
potential Federal funding sources. If partnering with a local 
jurisdiction, the DOT should designate a local/rural safety coordinator 
who should be identified in the proposal. The coordinator should 
leverage the knowledge gained from the project with other safety 
initiatives, resources and data to provide safety assistance to local/
rural communities statewide. Funding for the coordinator activities may 
be part of the match or submitted as a cost of the project.
    ii. Cost sharing or Matching--Federal funds should not exceed 80 
percent of the total project costs. Each recipient is responsible for 
identifying a minimum 20 percent matching share from other non-Federal 
sources. Applicants are encouraged to solicit matching funds from 
multiple sources, including, State and local governments and private 
sector partners, as they will be considered as evidence of local 
partnership. Applicants must meet the matching requirements for the 
Federal funding source being proposed. Refer to section B. for links to 
potential Federal funding sources.
    iii. Federal-aid Procedures--The projects will be administered 
through the FHWA Division Offices and the State DOTs in accordance with 
their stewardship and oversight agreements, and the practices and 
procedures for local Federal-aid projects in the State, as applicable. 
Federal-aid requirements will apply. Examples of Federal-aid 
requirements include, but are not limited to, the transportation 
planning process, National Environmental Policy Act, Uniform Relocation 
Assistance Act, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Disadvantaged 
Business Enterprise requirements.

E. Contents of Application for Phase I

    The Application should address each of the following:
    i. Content and Form of Application Submission--Each application 
should include a brief Project Description, Design and Implementation 
Plan, Financial Plan, and Management Plan that describes how the 
proposed objectives will be met within the specified time frame and 
budget.
    These brief plans should contain the following information:

A. Project Description

    Describe local area/jurisdiction where the project will take place 
as well as a brief description of the project being proposed to 
include: Goals, objectives, proposed countermeasures, and expected 
benefits. Project proposals should include a strong rationale supported 
by quantifiable, location-specific data from either local, State, or 
Federal sources that identify a clear problem set and how the proposed

[[Page 11190]]

countermeasures would contribute as a potential solution.
    The Department has identified a list of potential project types 
(below), for each crash category for consideration by applicants. 
Applications are not limited to these project types and innovative 
approaches are encouraged. However, projects should be consistent with 
the objectives of the Rural Safety Innovation Program.
1. Roadway Departure Crashes
     Dynamic curve warning systems.
     Advanced road departure warning systems.
     Innovative safety infrastructure improvements (i.e., cable 
guard rail, rumble strips and stripes).
2. Intersection and Pedestrian Crashes
     Intersection collision avoidance systems (i.e., sensors to 
provide oncoming traffic gap alerts, merge safety warnings, pedestrian 
and obstruction detection, variable safety signage).
     Innovative intersection treatments (i.e., roundabouts, 
continuous flow intersections).
3. Speeding Related Crashes
     Variable speed limit systems (with or without automated 
speed enforcement).
     Coordinated speed management systems.
4. Range of Crashes
     Roadway condition indicator/traveler information systems 
(i.e., ice detection/low friction, bridge deicing systems, poor 
visibility systems, road closure notification).
     Road side detection and warning systems.
     Work zone safety systems.
     Corridor safety applications.
     Innovative roadway safety data collection and analysis 
techniques.
     First Responder/Public Safety Services applications: Fire, 
Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement, HazMat, Towing, etc., that 
include vehicle tracking, automatic crash notification, telemedicine, 
and Wireless Enhanced 9-1-1 data transmission technologies.

B. Design and Implementation Outline

    The Applicant should submit a brief statement outlining their 
potential Design and Implementation Plan. A detailed plan will only be 
required by those invited to submit a Proposal in Phase II.

C. Financial Plan

    The Applicant should submit an initial plan that identifies 
potential sources of financing including the private partner's role, if 
applicable. Applicants must identify all funding and match sources 
being proposed, including the Federal funding source under this 
program. More than one Federal funding source may be identified if 
applicable. Refer to section B. for links to potential Federal funding 
sources.

D. Management and Staffing Plan

    Describe briefly which organizations will lead the project, and how 
responsibilities for task completion will be shared among proposed 
project partners. The Application should also include a proposed 
project time-line with estimated start and completion dates for major 
elements of the proposed Rural Safety Innovation Program Project.
    ii. Safety Benefits--The Applicant should provide a brief 
description of the potential safety benefits based on the 
countermeasures proposed.
    iii. Evaluation of Rural Safety Innovation Program Projects--The 
Department will also coordinate the evaluation of the effectiveness of 
projects. An independent evaluation team will be hired by the 
Department to develop an evaluation plan, and to conduct and coordinate 
evaluation efforts. Funding recipients will be required to collect 
specified before and after data and information as a condition of 
receiving funding, and to facilitate the Department's evaluation 
efforts. Depending on the number of projects selected, the Department 
may conduct evaluations of only a subset of projects.

F. Evaluation Criteria

    The Department has identified evaluation criteria that will be used 
to select Applications to advance to the Phase II--Proposal stage.

Main Evaluation Criteria

    i. An active High Risk Rural Roads Program.
    ii. An active Highway Safety Program that complements the proposed 
project, including enforcement, education and emergency medical 
services.
    iii. Participation by the State Highway Safety Office.
    iv. Ability to provide appropriate non-Federal match to Federal 
funds requested.
    v. Ability to meet the criteria and requirements of the proposed 
Federal funding source. Refer to section B. for links to potential 
Federal funding sources.
    vi. Sufficient data and analysis procedures to identify problem 
areas and appropriate countermeasures.
    vii. Feasibility of proposal (risk level).

Additional Evaluation Criteria

    i. Counties with highest number of rural fatalities.
    ii. Demonstration of cost share with public and private sector 
partners to develop innovative and creative Rural Safety Innovation 
Program projects.
    iii. Ability to demonstrate a significant benefit/cost ratio that 
will assist the Department in promoting rural safety throughout the 
United Sates.
    iv. Relationship between percentage of rural roads owned and 
operated by local agencies and participation by these agencies.
    v. Road Safety Audits used in project development and solutions.
    vi. Use of market ready technologies (including ITS) and 
innovations for improving roadway safety.
    vii. Inclusion of outreach and education plan (for both provider/
user agencies and the public).
    viii. Clarity and specificity of proposal.
    ix. Qualifications and experience.

    Issued on: February 21, 2008.
J. Richard Capka,
Federal Highway Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E8-3716 Filed 2-28-08; 8:45 am]
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