Call for projects is now Open.
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Webinar
Below are materials from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Overview Webinar that was conducted on April 10, 2012.
If you have difficulty viewing the webinar or have additional questions please contact Ian Macek at 360-705-7596.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Collision Statistics
The data provided includes location information about pedestrian and bicycle crashes on city streets, country roads and state highways in Washington from 6/1/2008 - 5/31/2011. County data represents collisions in the county that occurred on county roads, miscellaneous trafficways or state routes outside of city limits. The city data represents collisions that occured on city streets, miscellaneous trafficways or state routes within the cities limits.
The purpose of this program is to improve conditions for biking and walking and encourage “complete street” type projects that safely meet the needs of bicyclists, pedestrians, public transportation users and motorists, and also protect and preserve community environment and character. Recognizing that improvements to these streets and roads are critical to communities across the state, this program provides funds for transportation improvements that support infill and redevelopment, intensify land uses, and connect housing and employment in order to improve the health and safety of Washington residents
This grant program is intended to help reach the state’s goal of doubling the number of biking and walking trips, while simultaneously reducing the number of pedestrians and bicyclists killed or injured in traffic collisions.
All public agencies are eligible to apply and projects will be evaluated based on criteria as defined through this process.
Application
The application shall be submitted online, or as a Microsoft Word document, or an Adobe Acrobat pdf file and include the following to be considered:
- A completed and signed Pedestrian and Bicycle Program 2012 Grant Application Form.
- A map sheet showing the project vicinity and project limits (can be the same or separate maps)
- A plan sheet showing project design detail in either plan view or as a typical section Please do not include pictures, letters of support, or other unsolicited supporting detail.
Submittal Process
Applications must be received by midnight June 30, 2012.
Submittals must either be sent via the website or by e-mail (paper submittals will not be accepted).
- Online Application Form (required attachments must be e-mailed)
or - E-mail with completed application as a PDF or Word Doc attached (paper submittals will not be accepted)
Send to hlpgrants@wsdot.wa.gov
Funding
A prioritized list of projects will be submitted to the Governor’s office and the legislature by December 15, 2012 who will make final decisions on projects and grant awards. Award announcements are expected by June of the following year.
Grant Terms
Terms of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Program projects should be three years in length maximum, with the possibility of an administratively-approved two year extension with the submission of adequate proof of progress.
Match requirement
While a match is not a requirement, preference shall be given to projects that provide a match. Projects are to be submitted as complete projects and fully funded.
Examples of Eligible Projects
Engineering and education projects that help reduce the nearly 400 fatal and injury collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists that occur each year in Washington and/or projects that significantly increase mobility and encourage more people to bicycle and walk are eligible to apply for a grant through the Pedestrian and Bicycle Program. The following are examples of eligible projects and programs.
Project Development – a maximum of 30 percent of project cost
- Community design that includes public engagement in planning and design decisions.
Right of Way Acquisition
Engineering improvements – grant applications may include a combination of construction elements. Projects may include items such as:
- Crossing/intersection treatments/roundabouts
- Pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements for at risk groups (the young, the aging and people with disabilities).
- Signage, striping, markings
- Sidewalks
- Pedestrian-scale lighting
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations
- Bike lanes, bike boulevards, and cycle tracks
- Shared-use paths/trails and path crossings
- Bicycle parking and stations
- Traffic calming (medians, refuge islands, curb extensions)
- Providing safe routes to transit
- Streetscape and frontage improvements
Education and enforcement efforts are also eligible as part of capital improvement projects. Projects may include items such as:
- Videos of project development
- Implementation of educational curricula
- Bicycle and pedestrian counters
- Enhanced enforcement (i.e. speed feedback signs, crosswalk patrols)
This program is not intended to increase motor vehicle capacity or fund pavement resurfacing and pavement preservation elements. However, projects that leverage paving investments will be considered higher priority.
Eligible projects should be part of community, regional or state plans.
Project Evaluation
All proposals will be reviewed to ensure that they are complete and eligible for funding. A grant review committee will evaluate the proposals and make recommendations. WSDOT staff will conduct site visits for priority projects prior to developing the list of priorities.
The following criteria will be used to evaluate the project proposals. Projects providing match shall be given preference.
(a) Promoting healthy communities by encouraging walking, bicycling and using public transportation.
- How well will the project improve connections and/or establish safer and fully accessible crossings, sidewalks, trails, bike facilities, and transit connections consistent with AASHTO, ITE or other peer reviewed, context sensitive solutions guides, reports and publications?
5 Pts = Substantial long term connectivity solution.
3 Pts = Moderate improvement to connectivity.
1 Pt = Little or no improvement to connectivity will be derived from the project.
(b) Improving safety by designing major arterials to include features such as wider sidewalks, dedicated bicycle facilities, medians, and pedestrian streetscape features, including trees where appropriate.
Based on recent state and national research, arterial streets in urban areas with higher speeds, higher motor vehicle volumes, and housing mixed with commercial attractions, transit service, and other pedestrian and bicycle generators are the locations with the most transportation conflicts, collisions and risk.
- How will the project improve safety, while expanding mobility for all users, especially at-risk populations?
5 Pts = Substantial long term safety solution.
3 Pts = Moderate improvements.
1 Pt = Little or no improvement to safety will be derived from the project or safety improvement is incomplete or short term.
(c) Protecting the environment by providing safe alternatives to single occupancy driving.
In order to make alternatives to single occupancy driving safe and viable, connections are needed between and among existing housing, employment, education, retail and recreation destinations.
- How well will this project support infill, encourage redevelopment and reuse of existing building stock, intensify land uses, and connect housing and employment
5 Pts = Substantial impacts by improving connections between housing, centers of employment, education, retail and recreation.
3 Pts = Moderate impacts.
1 Pt = Little or no impacts to congestion will be derived from the project.
(d) Preserving community character by involving local citizens and stakeholders to participate in planning and design decisions.
Recent research has shown that transportation projects on urban arterials and main street highways have a greater likelihood of scope, schedule and budget changes that often result in additional costs. This is primarily due to the complexity of the setting and level of interest by area residents and stakeholders. Research has demonstrated that more and better up front coordination and communication and engagement of local citizens and stakeholders in design sometimes called ‘Community Design’, can reduce the potential for project delay or cost over-runs.
- How has or how will this project ensure community engagement in planning and design decisions that will help to preserve community character?
5 Pts = Substantial commitment to community involvement in planning and design.
3 Pts = Moderate commitment.
1 Pt = Little or no consideration of citizen and stakeholder participation in planning and design decisions.
Other consideration will be given to the following:
- Project delivery status (planning, environmental review, right of way acquisition, construction plans),
- Overlap with nationally designated Main Street communities, Main Street affiliates, or National Historic Districts that are also community main streets.
- Consistency with community plans
- Consistency with the federal principles of livability (EPA-HUD-DOT partnership) including:
- Providing more transportation choices
- Promoting equitable, affordable housing
- Enhancing economic competitiveness
- Supporting existing communities
- Coordinating policies and leverage investment
- Valuing communities and neighborhoods