To distribute traffic safety funds (TSF) to cities, counties and the Iowa DOT for roadway safety improvements, research, studies or public information initiatives.

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

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

Application form and instructions are available at the bottom of this page and may be submitted on paper or electronically.

TSF awards cannot exceed $500,000 per project.

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, annual funding level and other criteria.
• Funding for research, studies and public information initiatives is awarded considering their relationship to safety, annual funding level and other criteria.

One half of one percent (0.5 percent) 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, studies and public information initiatives
  
• Remainder available for site-specific projects (approximately $4 million per year)

Applications are not accepted after June 15, 2009.
Notice of approval will be sent by mid-December 2009, and funds will be available on July 1, 2010. Funding for approved projects may be available sooner, if requested, and on a case-by-case basis.

Reminder of Changes Made in 2008

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.
3. June 15 Application Deadline. In order to complete the review and approval process by December, applications are due to the Office of Traffic & Safety by June 15.
4. Electronic Applications. Applications may be submitted by hard copy or electronically (as .xls, .doc, or .pdf).

gary.huston@dot.iowa.gov
(xls, pdf, or doc formats only please)

-or-

Tom Welch, P.E.
Office of Traffic and Safety
Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
515-239-1557

TSIP Application Instructions (41k) [Rev. March 2009] - Complete instructions, including printable cover form.

TSIP Electronic Application Forms (107k) [Rev. March 2008] - Fillable application forms for the cover page and "Application Certification" for local governments.

Benefit/Cost Worksheet (140k) [Rev. May 2008] - Includes B/C worksheets for both roadway segments and intersections/spot locations.

Crash Reduction Factors (363k) [Rev. Sept 2007] - Crash reduction factors to be used in B/C analyses.

Iowa Administrative Code Section 761, Chapter 164 (108 kb) - Section of the Iowa Administrative Code that defines the Traffic Safety Improvement Program.