Safe Streets and Roads for All

Advancing Regional Safety SS4A Grant

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) received $5 million through the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program in Fiscal Year 2023 to conduct non-construction planning and demonstration activities to improve safety of all roadway users near high-crash corridors throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region. The NCTCOG Regional Transportation Council provided a $1 million match using Regional Toll Revenue funds.  

Planning activities include development of Roadway Safety Audits (RSAs) and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) plans in collaboration with local jurisdictions. The goal is to increase the safety of nonmotorized users (walkers, bikers, rollers) by comprehensively planning for infrastructure and programmatic solutions.

Study Focus

RSAs: Audits will be completed for 30 corridors identified as high-crash corridors in NCTCOG’s regional Roadway Safety Plan (RSP) and Pedestrian Safey Action Plan (PSAP). The regional safety plans outline priority corridors to address roadway and pedestrian safety concerns.

SRTS plans: 23 schools located near these same high crash corridors will have SRTS plans completed in collaboration with local city, school, and ISD officials.

Demonstration activities: Education and enforcement strategies to improve safety in certain corridors will be evaluated and measured.

Coordination and Implementation

NCTCOG staff and the consultant team are working closely with local government staff to study the high crash corridors to provide recommendations for future safety-related improvements.

• RSAs will be completed in accordance with Federal Highway Administration guidelines and include detailed data collection, engineering analysis of existing roadway conditions, and suggestions for improvements.
• SRTS plans will consider infrastructure, safety education, and community needs to create a comprehensive plan to improve nonmotorized access to schools for students.  

Intended Outcomes

Local Outcomes

1. Identification of specific safety concerns for all roadway users including pedestrians and bicyclists, transit riders, and motorists.
2. Recommend targeted infrastructure improvements, such as crosswalk enhancements, sidewalk repairs, signage upgrades, speed management measures, and lighting improvements

Regional Outcomes

1. Updated data and recommendations for the Roadway Safety (Plan RSP) and the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP)
2. Advance regional nonmotorized safety goals per NCTCOG’s “Toward Zero Deaths” vision
3. Strengthen relationships between NCTCOG, TxDOT, and local governments including transit agencies, and schools throughout the region

For more information about RSAs or general grant questions, please contact Chris Nelson at cnelson@nctcog.org.

For more information about SRTS plans, please contact Devia Joshi at djoshi@nctcog.org.