The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced a $1 billion round for their Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program. The program’s objective is to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries. To support communities in applying, including those working to become more age- and dementia friendly, the organization Smart Growth America highlighted six tips that applicants should know.

The grant program focuses on the development of a comprehensive safety action plan and its implementation for all users of our highways, streets, and roadways, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, personal conveyance and micromobility users, and commercial vehicle operators. The program provides funding to develop tools to strengthen a community’s approach to roadway safety and save lives and prevent serious harm.

Smart Growth America’s guidance, listed below, is helpful to age- and dementia friendly community leaders and partners advocating for safer local infrastructure.

1. Nearly $1 billion is available in planning grants that can also support quick-build demonstration projects
2. You can do a lot of quick-builds with just a little bit of money
3. The application process is one of the simplest you will see from USDOT
4. These funds are awarded directly to a local jurisdiction, or to multiple jurisdiction in a joint application
5. The planning money has not been competitive to date — it is undersubscribed
6. If you want a future implementation grant, you will either need a planning grant now, or an USDOT-approved safety plan