Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP)

(Also known as "Traffic Safety Fund," "TSF," or "Half-Percent" Program)

The Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) is defined by Section 761, Chapter 164, of the Iowa Administrative Code. TSIP provides safety funds to cities, counties and the Iowa DOT in three separate categories.

Changes for 2008 Applications (FY 2010 Funding Cycle)

1. New Benefit / Cost Analysis Worksheet. Applications in the Site-Specific category must use the new version of the Benefit / Cost Analysis worksheet with Federally accepted crash costs and corrected formulas that take into account the time value of money. The new Excel file is available below.

2. Fewer Investigating Officer Reports. Applications in the Site-Specific category will only need to submit officer reports for crashes involving injuries or fatalities. Officer reports will no longer be required for Property Damage Only crashes.

For this year only, two voluntary exceptions are being offered that are not yet in the Iowa Administrative Code. The Iowa Administrative Code may be updated to reflect these changes for future years:

3. June 15 Application Deadline. According to the Iowa Administrative Code, applications must be received by August 15, 2008. However, in order to complete the review and approval process by December 2008, the Office of Traffic and Safety, Iowa DOT is requesting applications by June 15, 2008.

4. Electronic Applications. Applications may be submitted by hard copy as in the past, or electronically (as xls, doc, or pdf) to: gary.huston@dot.iowa.gov

Intent of Program

To distribute Traffic Safety Funds to cities, counties and the Iowa DOT for roadway safety improvements, research, studies, or public information initiatives.

Who is Eligible to Request Funding

Cities, counties or the Iowa DOT, for use on any public roads.

Qualifications for Funding

Applications may be submitted for one of three categories:

Site-Specific Construction or improvement of traffic safety and operations at a specific site or corridor with a crash history
Traffic Control Devices Purchase of materials for installation of new traffic control devices such as signs, signals or pavement markings, or replacement of obsolete signs or signals
Research, Studies and Public Information Transportation safety research, studies or public information initiatives such as signing or pavement marking research, driver education/information, work zone safety, and crash data analysis improvements.

Type of Submittal Required

Application form and instructions are available at the bottom of this page and as an option may be submitted electronically.

Maximum Funding

TSF awards cannot exceed $500,000 per project.

Type of Approval Required

Applications are reviewed by an internal/external committee of representatives from Cities, Counties and the Iowa DOT. Recommendations are then made to the Iowa Transportation Commission, which then approves funding of specific projects.

Site-Specific projects are evaluated by benefit/cost ratio analysis and other criteria.
Funding for Traffic Control Devices is awarded considering the safety benefits of eligible applications, the annual funding level and other criteria.
Funding for Research, Rtudies and Public Information initiatives is awarded considering their relation to safety, the annual funding level and other criteria.

Program’s Annual Funding Level

One half of one percent (0.5%) of Iowa’s Road Use Tax Fund (approximately $5 million per year).
$500,000 per year for Traffic Control Device projects.
$500,000 per year for Research, Rtudies and Public Information initiatives.
Remainder available for Site-specific projects.

Important Dates

Completed applications are officially due August 15, 2008, however if applications can be received by June 15, 2008, funding amounts can be approved by December 2008 (rather than February 2009).
Notice of approval will be sent by January 2009, and funds will be available on July 1, 2009. Funding for approved projects may be available sooner if requested on a case-by-case basis.

Send Applications to

gary.huston@dot.iowa.gov

Forms

TSIP Application Instructions (tsipinstructions.pdf)

(41k) - Complete instructions, including printable cover form.

TSIP Application Forms (tsipforms.doc) (107k) - Fillable application forms for the cover page and "Application Certification" for local governments.

NEWLY REVISED in 2008: Benefit/Cost Worksheet (tsipB-C.xls) (140k) - Includes B/C worksheets for both roadway segments and intersections/spot locations.

Crash Reduction Factors (CRFDeskRef.pdf) (363k) - Crash reduction factors to be used in B/C analyses.

Iowa Administrative Code Section 761, Chapter 164 (tsipIAC10-2002.pdf) (36k) - Section of the Iowa Administrative Code that defines the Traffic Safety Improvement Program.

These documents can be read with Acrobat^(TM) Reader, a FREE utility from Adobe. Click here to get the Acrobat^(TM) Reader file and instructions.

For information about other funding sources, see the Iowa DOT Funding Guide.

Office of Traffic & Safety

This Iowa DOT page maintained by Tim Simodynes
Tim.Simodynes@dot.iowa.gov
Your questions and comments are welcome.
©2008, Iowa Department of Transportation