Texas Department of Transportation Page 1 of 1



Request for Proposals - Highway Safety Plan: In accordance with 43 TAC §25.901, et seq., the Texas Department of Transportation is requesting project proposals, excluding proposals to participate in Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Wave projects (STEP), to support the traffic safety goals and strategies listed in this request. These goals and strategies will form the basis for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 Highway Safety Plan (HSP). As alcohol-related crashes are the leading cause of traffic fatalities in Texas, proposals to reduce driving while impaired (DWI) are especially sought. Proposals to improve occupant protection use are also highly desired. All proposals must include a minimum of 10% local cost share in the first three years of an approved project. Proposals for a second or subsequent year of funding must include a Cost Assumption Plan, demonstrating how the proposal will be funded after federal funding ends. Proposals for a fourth or fifth year must contain a 35% and 50% cost share respectively. Each proposal must state which goal(s) and strategy(ies) included in this RFP it will support. Eligible organizations are state and local governments, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. Eligible, non-governmental organizations are subject to a pre-award audit prior to any grant execution.

Project Selection Process: The Texas HSP is developed through a strategic performance planning process, with the selection of projects based on problem identification and project solution offered in the proposals. Traffic safety managers will review and evaluate each proposal for applicability to Texas' traffic safety problems. Each qualifying project proposal will be scored against a number of selected criteria. Criteria include strength of problem identification supported with verifiable, current, and applicable documentation of the state or local traffic safety problem; quality of the proposed solution plan; realistic performance objectives and measures; time-framed action plan; cost eligibility; percent of matching funding proposed; and the necessity and reasonableness of the budget. Proposals including the purchase and distribution of child passenger safety seats or other occupant protection devices and supplies require a 50% cost share. Proposals for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEPs) are limited to one or more of the following: Driving While Intoxicated, Occupant Protection, Speed, or Intersection Traffic Control. STEP proposals to specifically address these problems related to commercial motor vehicles will also be considered. Education, training, or presentation proposals using public schools must include written support from target schools or school districts that the product will be included in the curriculum. Proposals for immediate or potential statewide projects in public schools must also have verification of coordination and commitment from the Texas Education Agency. Proposals must be submitted by the responsible entity or have the written support from an authorized representative of that agency. Separate documents with information pertaining to the submitting agency's qualifications, commitment, availability of external resources, task force associations, or previous traffic safety or related experience may also be included with the proposal. Once the scoring process is complete, proposed projects are assigned priority for available funding. Selected proposals will be recommended for inclusion in the Texas HSP expected to begin in federal fiscal year 2005 (October 1, 2004). Eligible and worthwhile projects may be initiated prior to this date if sufficient funding is available. Proposals selected for inclusion in the FY 2005 HSP become cost reimbursable grant-in-aid agreements. Contracts with vendors will be made through the state purchasing process, not through this request for proposal process. All information resource-related activities will be subject to TxDOT information resource procurement procedures. Federal and state grant funds cannot be used for lobbying.

HSP Review and Approval: The HSP will be submitted to the Texas Transportation Commission for approval. Upon approval, the HSP is submitted to the Governor's Office and forwarded to the federal government for review and comment.

HSP Implementation: The HSP becomes operational on October 1 of every year if federal appropriations allow. Funds are to be used to support state problem identification, planning and implementation of a program to reduce crashes, deaths, and injuries on Texas roadways. The traffic safety program is designed to implement worthwhile projects to be assumed by the sponsoring agency, not as financial support for continuing operation. Texas Traffic Safety Program project grant agreements supported with non-dedicated federal funds are limited to the length of the proposed grant period and usually do not receive extended funding beyond three years. Also, "supplanting" (use of federal funds to support personnel or an activity that is already supported by local or state funds) is prohibited. Funding is also provided from state, local, and private sources.

HSP Program Areas and Goals: Proposals are being solicited for the following goals and strategies:

GOAL: Reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities in Texas

STRATEGIES:

•Increase enforcement of traffic laws

•Increase public education and information campaigns, including employer-based traffic safety

•Lower number of people driving while impaired

•Improve emergency medical services in rural areas

GOAL: Reduce alcohol related crashes, injuries and fatalities

STRATEGIES:

•Improve anti-DWI public information and education campaigns

•Improve blood alcohol content testing

•Increase enforcement of driving while impaired (DWI) laws

•Establish law enforcement task forces and coordinated enforcement campaigns

•Increase training for anti-DWI advocates

•Improve training, coordination, and information for law enforcement officers and DWI prosecutors

•Improve DWI processing procedures

•Increase intervention efforts

•Develop a DWI and minor-in-possession tracking system

•Improve adjudication of DWI cases through

•Improved training for judges

•Improved training for prosecutors

•Improved support materials for judges and prosecutors

•Improve judicial training on administrative license revocation (ALR)

•Improve data collection and linkages

•Improve education programs on alcohol for youth

GOAL: Reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes where the driver is under age 21

STRATEGIES:

•Increase enforcement of anti-DUI laws

•Increase public education and information, concentrating on youth ages 5-13 and 14-20, including parent education on drinking and driving

•Establish college campus anti-DUI programs

•Develop innovative ways and programs to combat underage drinking and driving

•Increase graduation/prom alcohol free activities

•Expand “El Protector” and keep concentration on alcohol issues

•Increase intervention efforts

GOAL: Reduce the number of speed-related crashes

STRATEGIES:

•Increase enforcement of speed laws

•Increase public education and information campaigns to reduce speeding

•Identify best practices for speed deterrence when law enforcement is not present

•Improve traffic calming techniques and use

GOAL: Increase safety belt use in all passenger vehicles and trucks

STRATEGIES:

•Increase enforcement of safety belt use laws

•Increase public education and information on benefits of safety belt use

•Increase intervention efforts by healthcare professionals, teachers, and all safety advocates

•Concentrate efforts on historically low use populations

•Increase judges and prosecutors awareness of correct safety belt use.

GOAL: Increase child passenger safety seat use

STRATEGIES:

•Increase enforcement of child passenger safety laws

•Increase public education and information campaigns on child passenger safety

•Increase retention of child passenger safety (CPS) technicians

•Increase training opportunities for CPS Instructors

•Continue CPS seat distribution programs for low income families

•Increase EMS/fire department involvement in CPS fitting stations

GOAL: Increase use of safety belts by passenger vehicle and pickup occupants ages 5-17

STRATEGIES:

•Increase enforcement of safety belt use laws

•Increase public education and information campaigns on occupant protection

GOAL: Reduce number of traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities in work zones per 100 million miles traveled in Texas

STRATEGIES:

•Increase enforcement of traffic laws in work zones

•Increase public education and information on traffic safety in work zones

•Evaluate best practices for reducing work zone crashes, injuries and fatalities

GOAL: Reduce the number of bicyclist fatalities

STRATEGIES:

•Increase enforcement of traffic laws about bicycle right of way

•Increase motorist awareness of bicycle rights through public information and education campaigns

•Increase use of safety equipment

•Improve bicycle crash data

GOAL: Reduce number of pedestrian fatalities

STRATEGIES:

•Improve identification of problem areas for pedestrians

•Improve public education and information on pedestrians and “safe walking”

•Improve data collection on pedestrian injuries and fatalities

GOAL: Increase use of motorcycle helmets

STRATEGIES:

•Increase enforcement of existing helmet law for riders and passengers under 18

•Improve public education and information on the value of wearing a helmet

GOAL: Improve timeliness, quality of and linkages between traffic crash data bases

STRATEGIES:

•Link Departments of Health, Transportation, and Public Safety databases

•Improve local databases and their ability to electronically transmit crash data to Departments of Health and Public Safety

GOAL: Reduce the number of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes, injuries and fatalities

STRATEGIES:

•Increase enforcement of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) speed limits

•Increase public education and information on sharing the road with CMV

•Insure all citations are attached to the CMV driving license

•Develop partnerships with CMV industry and trade associations to increase education and training of the general public and drivers

GOAL: Reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by distracted driving.

STRATEGIES:

•Improve crash data reporting where distracted driving is a factor

•Increase public information and education of distracted driving dangers

Project Proposals: Current project proposal application forms and instructions, plus other related documents are available at the TxDOT internet site:

dot.state.tx.us/trafficsafety

or upon request by contacting the Traffic Operations Division, Traffic Safety Section, attention Mr. Bill Strawn at (512) 416-2613 or from the Traffic Safety Specialist at the nearest TxDOT district office. Proposals must be submitted in writing to the nearest TxDOT district office, Attention: Traffic Safety Specialist, or mailed directly to Terry Pence, Traffic Operations Division, Texas Department of Transportation, 125 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701-2483. Proposals must be received by TxDOT no later than 5 p.m., December 15, 2003.

Authority and Responsibility: The traffic safety grant derives from the National Highway Safety Act of 1966 (23 USC §401, et seq.), and the Texas Traffic Safety Act of 1967 (Transportation Code, Chapter 723). An integral part of the Texas Department of Transportation and working through the department's 25 districts for local projects, the program is administered at the state level by the department's Traffic Operations Division. The executive director of the department is the designated Governor's Highway Safety Representative.

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