Safe Streets and Roads for All SMART Project Grant Application and Required Local Match Copyrighted
June 1, 2026
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 13.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Safe Streets and Roads for All SMART Project Grant
Application and Required Local Match
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council retroactively
approving the filing of the application with the Federal
Highway Administration and U.S. Department of
Transportation for a 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All
(SS4A) Grant, retroactive to May 26, 2026, to assist with
funding for the proposed SMART Safety Technology and Rail
Crossing Safety Improvements Project.
RESOLUTION Retroactively Authorizing the Filing of a Grant
Application with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for a Safe
Streets and Roads for all (SS4A) Grant to assist with funding
for the Proposed Smart Safety Technology and Rail Crossing
Safety Improvements Project
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo SS4A SMART Project Grant Application Approve Grant Application
Submission
2. SS4A Smart Grant Council Submit Approval - STAFF MEMO 20260528
3. SS4A Smart Grant Council Submit Approval - RESOLUTION 20260528
Page 612 of 1000
Dubuque
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: SS4A SMART Project Grant Application
Approve Grant Application Submission
DATE: May 28, 2026
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos, Assistant City Engineer Robert Schiesl, and Civil Engineer
III David Ness are recommending City Council adopt the attached resolution
retroactively approving the filing of the application with the Federal Highway
Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation for a 2026 Safe Streets and
Roads for All (SS4A) Grant, retroactive to May 26, 2026, to assist with funding for the
proposed SMART Safety Technology and Rail Crossing Safety Improvements Project.
Should the Mayor and City Council elect to decline participation in the SS4A grant
program, the City may withdraw the application prior to grant award.
The proposed grant application requests $3,443,040 in federal SS4A funding with a
required local match of $860,760, representing 20% of total project costs, for a total
estimated project cost of$4,303,800. If awarded, the grant would support
implementation of advanced transportation safety technologies and operational
improvements focused on the Central Avenue and White Street corridors within
Dubuque's High Injury Network.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Page 613 of 1000
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Robert Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
David Ness, Civil Engineer III
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Laura BendorF, Budget Manager
Anderson Sainci, Director of Strategic Partnerships
Chandra Ravada, ECIA
Teri Goodmann, Hawks Goodmann and Associates
Andrew Seth, Sustainable Strategies DC
Amy Scheller, Fire Chief
Jeremy Jensen, Police Chief
Duane Richter, Traffic Project Supervisor
Justine Hull, Civil Engineer I
Jason Duba, Assistant Planner
2
Page 614 of 1000
Dubuque
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Robert Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
David Ness, Civil Engineer III
SUBJECT: SS4A (Safe Streets for All) SMART Project Grant Application
Approve Retroactive Grant Application Submission
DATE: May 28, 2026
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the Mayor and City Council with
information and documentation in support of the attached resolution authorizing the
submission of an application to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through the
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant
Program for the proposed SMART Safety Technology and Rail Crossing Safety
Improvements Project.
The 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant application for the SMART Safety
Technology and Rail Crossing Safety Improvements Project was submitted on May 26,
2026, which was the application deadline established by the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
The proposed grant application requests $3,443,040 in federal SS4A funding with a
required local match of $860,760, representing 20% of total project costs, for a total
estimated project cost of$4,303,800. If awarded, the grant would support implementation
of advanced transportation safety technologies and operational improvements focused
on the Central Avenue and White Street corridors within Dubuque's High Injury Network.
BACKGROUND
The City of Dubuque, in partnership with the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation
Study (DMATS), developed the Smart Traffic Routing with Efficient and Effective Traffic
System (STREETS) project to improve mobility, reduce congestion, enhance safety, and
optimize roadway capacity throughout the community. The STREETS system utilizes
real-time traffic data, video analytics, predictive modeling, intelligent signal control, and
dynamic routing to support more efficient transportation operations.
Building on this foundation, the City and its regional partners were previously awarded
funding through the USDOT Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation
(SMART) Grant Program to advance connected vehicle and transportation technology
initiatives. Phase 1 of the SMART Grant project focused on aggregating and
Page 615 of 1000
standardizing transportation data for connected vehicle applications through the
establishment of an open data platform connecting local, regional, and state
transportation systems.
The proposed SS4A project would expand these initiatives by deploying real-time traffic
and safety information directly to vehicles through Vehicle-to-Network (V2N)
communications and advanced transportation system integration. The project is intended
to improve transportation safety, emergency response reliability, multimodal detection,
and traveler information throughout portions of Dubuque's transportation network
identified within the City's High Injury Network and the DMATS East Central lowa
Transportation Safety Plan.
The proposed project would focus primarily on the Central Avenue and White Street
corridors and surrounding transportation network where blocked rail crossings, traffic
congestion, emergency response delays, and multimodal safety concerns have been
identified.
SS4A SMART GRANT
The proposed project includes deployment of advanced transportation safety
technologies and operational improvements intended to improve safety, mobility, and
emergency response coordination throughout the project area.
Key project components include:
• Deployment of a rail crossing monitoring system with predictive blockage analytics to
provide real-time rail crossing status and estimated blockage duration.
• Integration of rail crossing monitoring data with the City's Advanced Traffic Management
System (ATMS), Vehicle Data Aggregator (VDA), and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)
systems.
• Expansion of pedestrian, bicycle, and stalled vehicle detection systems at key
intersections along the Central Avenue and White Street corridors.
• Enhancement of emergency vehicle routing through optimized traffic signal timing and
upgraded Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) systems.
• Deployment of connected vehicle technologies and traveler information systems
capable of providing real-time notifications related to rail crossing status, traffic incidents,
lane closures, work zones, weather conditions, and intersection safety alerts.
• Corridor operational and safety improvements including upgraded multimodal detection,
pavement markings, restriping, and coordination with signal timing and emergency
vehicle preemption enhancements.
The proposed project is intended to build upon the City's existing investments in intelligent
transportation systems, fiber communications infrastructure, traffic signal interconnect,
public safety technologies, and connected vehicle initiatives already established through
the STREETS and SMART programs.
PROJECT READINESS
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The City of Dubuque and DMATS are well positioned to implement the proposed project
improvements. Existing infrastructure already in operation includes the City's Advanced
Traffic Management System (ATMS), Vehicle Data Aggregator (VDA), traffic signal
communications network, camera systems, and connected vehicle communication
capabilities.
These existing systems significantly reduce implementation risk and position the City to
efficiently deploy the proposed safety and technology improvements should SS4A funding
be awarded.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
The proposed project development schedule incorporated into the SS4A grant application
generally includes the following phases:
Task 1: Public Engagement (Months 0-24) — Conduct stakeholder outreach to inform
residents, gather input, build awareness, and support successful deployment of the
proposed safety and technology improvements.
Task 2: Safety Plan Update (Months 0-2) — Update the safety plan to reflect project-
specific strategies, deployment activities, and technology integration.
Task 3: Detailed Planning & System Design (Months 0-5) — Complete engineering and
systems planning, including detection design, communications architecture, integration
of ATMS, VDA, CAD, and signal systems, and connected vehicle interfaces.
Task 4: Rail Crossing Monitoring System Deployment (Months 5-14)— Deploy monitoring
equipment and communications infrastructure for real-time rail crossing detection,
including equipment installation, communications setup, ATMS integration, and testing of
real-time data feeds.
Task 5: Predictive Rail Crossing Analytics Development (Months 6-14) — Develop
analytics to estimate rail crossing blockage timing, duration, and traffic impacts, including
algorithm development, model configuration, system integration, and validation.
Task 6: Dynamic Emergency Vehicle Routing & Preemption (Months 6-16) — Enhance
emergency response routing and signal preemption using real-time rail crossing data
through CAD, ATMS, and
VDA integration, routing logic configuration, EVP upgrades, signal timing optimization,
and operational testing.
Task 7: Emergency Vehicle GPS & Communications Deployment (Months 6-16)— Deploy
or upgrade GPS and communications technologies for emergency vehicles, including
equipment installation, V2N configuration, and validation of routing and dispatch
integration.
Task 8: Traveler Information Enhancements (Months 6-12) — Enhance traveler
information systems and connected vehicle interfaces to deliver real-time alerts, including
user notifications, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and third-party access to
VDA data feeds.
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Task 9: Central Avenue & White Street Improvements (Months 12-24) — Implement
corridor safety and operational improvements to support technology deployment and
multimodal safety, including upgraded pedestrian and bicycle detection, improved
intersection detection, restriping, pavement improvements, and coordination with signal
timing and emergency vehicle preemption enhancements.
Task 10: Production System Setup & Integration (Months 12-18) — Establish the
production environment by configuring servers and cloud infrastructure, finalizing system
integration, and implementing cybersecurity protocols.
Task 11: Full System Integration Testing (Months 18-24) — Conduct comprehensive
testing and validation of integrated systems and field deployments, including end-to-end
testing, connected vehicle validation, emergency routing and preemption testing, and
issue resolution.
Task 12: System Refinements & Optimization (Months 24-36) — Refine and optimize
system performance based on operational data, observed results, and stakeholder
feedback.
Task 13: Performance Evaluation & Final Reporting (Months 33-40) — Evaluate project
perFormance, document outcomes, and prepare final reporting and deployment
documentation.
Project implementation is anticipated to occur over an approximate 40-month period
following award of grant funding.
SAFETY BENEFITS
The proposed project is intended to address several key transportation safety challenges
identified throughout the project area, including:
• Blocked rail crossings and resulting traffic queues that increase congestion, crash risk,
and emergency response delays.
• Intersection safety concerns associated with heavy traffic volumes, limited visibility, and
queue spillback through intersections.
• Delays to emergency response vehicles caused by blocked rail crossings and limited
real-time routing information.
• Limited traveler access to real-time roadway hazard and traffic condition information.
Through integration of enhanced detection technologies, predictive analytics, intelligent
transportation systems, and connected vehicle communications, the project is intended
to reduce crash risk, improve emergency response reliability, improve multimodal safety,
and support the Safe System Approach principles identified within the SS4A program.
BUDGET IMPACT
The planning-level project cost estimate incorporated into the SS4A grant application is
summarized as follows:
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Description Federal Funding Non-Federal Match Total Project Cost
Request
New or Updated Action $12,960 $3,240 $16,200
Plan
Supplemental Planning $69,120 $17,280 $86,400
Activity#1
Supplemental Planning $25,920 $6,480 $32,400
Activity#2
Public Engagement $77,760 $19,440 $97,200
Implementation - Rail and $1,594,080 $398,520 $1,992,600
public safety notifications
Implementation - $1,624,320 $406,080 $2,030,400
Emergency Vehicle Rail
crossing blocked alerts
and Preemption
Performance Evaluation & $38,880 $9,720 $48,600
Final Reporting
Total Budget $3,443,040 $860,760 $4,303,800
Description Amount
Federal SS4A Grant Request $ 3,443,040
Local Match Contribution 860,760
Total Estimated Project Cost $ 4,303,800
The proposed local match funding would be contingent upon award of the federal SS4A
grant funding. Staff will continue coordination with the Finance and Budget Departments
to develop a proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget for Fiscal Year 2027
through Fiscal Year 2030 to identify and program funding to cover the $860,760 in local
match funding.
RECOMMENDATION
I respectfully recommend that the City authorize the retroactive submission of an
application to the Federal Highway Administration through the U.S. Department of
Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program, retroactive to May
26, 2026, to assist with funding for the proposed SMART Safety Technology and Rail
Crossing Safety Improvements Project and approve the required local match contingent
upon award of grant funding.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request Mayor and City Council adopt the attached resolution retroactively
approving the filing of the application with the Federal Highway Administration and U.S.
Department of Transportation for a 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant,
retroactive to May 26, 2026, to assist with funding for the proposed SMART Safety
Technology and Rail Crossing Safety Improvements Project.
Should the Mayor and City Council elect to decline participation in the SS4A grant
program, the City may withdraw the application prior to grant award.
cc: Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Laura BendorF, Budget Manager
Anderson Sainci, Director of Strategic Partnerships
Chandra Ravada, ECIA
Teri Goodmann, Hawks Goodmann and Associates
Page 619 of 1000
Andrew Seth, Sustainable Strategies DC
Amy Scheller, Fire Chief
Jeremy Jensen, Police Chief
Duane Richter, Traffic Project Supervisor
Justine Hull, Civil Engineer I
Jason Duba, Assistant Planner
F:\PROJECTS\SS4A GRANT APPLICATION 2026\CITY COUNCIL MEMO OF RECOMMENDATION
Page 620 of 1000
Prepared by: David Ness—Civil Engineer III,City of Dubuque,50 W. 13`'Street, Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)589-4270
Return to:Adreinne N.Breitfelder,City Clerk, 50W 13'°Street, Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 211-26
RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF A GRANT APPLICATION WITH
THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION (FHWA) AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION (USDOT) FOR A SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL (SS4A)
GRANT TO ASSIST WITH FUNDING FOR THE PROPOSED SMART SAFETY
TECHNOLOGY AND RAIL CROSSING SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued the Notice
of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)
Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque, in partnership with the Dubuque Metropolitan
Area Transportation Study (DMATS), developed the Smart Traffic Routing with Efficient
and Effective Traffic System (STREETS) project to improve mobility, reduce congestion,
enhance safety, and optimize roadway capacity throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, the City and its regional partners previously advanced transportation
technology initiatives through the USDOT Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing
Transportation (SMART) Grant Program, including development of connected vehicle
and transportation data systems; and
WHEREAS, the proposed SS4A project would expand the City's existing
intelligent transportation systems and connected vehicle initiatives to improve
transportation safety, emergency response reliability, multimodal detection, and traveler
information systems; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project would focus on portions of the Central Avenue
and White Street corridors and surrounding transportation network identified within the
City's High Injury Network and the DMATS East Central Iowa Transportation Safety
Plan; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project includes deployment of rail crossing monitoring
systems, predictive blockage analytics, pedestrian and bicycle detection systems,
emergency vehicle routing enhancements, upgraded Emergency Vehicle Preemption
(EVP) systems, traveler information systems, and Vehicle-to-Network (V2N)
communications technologies; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project is intended to address transportation safety
concerns associated with blocked rail crossings, traffic congestion, emergency
response delays, intersection queue spillback, multimodal safety conflicts, and limited
real-time traveler information; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project supports the Safe System Approach by utilizing
advanced transportation technologies, predictive analytics, intelligent transportation
systems, and connected vehicle communications to reduce crash risk and improve
transportation safety for all roadway users; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project is intended to benefit residents and travelers
throughout the community, including Areas of Persistent Poverty (APP) and Historically
Disadvantaged Communities (HDC); and
WHEREAS, the proposed SS4A grant application requests federal funding in the
amount of$3,443,040 with a required local funding match of$860,760 for a total
estimated project cost of$4,303,800; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque is seeking the necessary SS4A grant funding
for project implementation and, upon completion, in cooperation with the FHWA and
USDOT, would be responsible for adequately maintaining and operating the project
improvements for public use and benefit during the useful life of the project; and
WHEREAS, the application submittal dates established in the issued Notice of
Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant
Program are established by the USDOT outside the control of the City; and
WHEREAS, the grant deadlines established by the USDOT do not always
coincide with the meeting schedule of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City applied for the 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)
Grant Program with an application deadline of May 26, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager signed the application and seeks retroactive
approval of the grant application from the City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
SECTION 1. The City is hereby authorized to file a grant application with the
Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation for a 2026 Safe
Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant to assist with funding for the proposed SMART
Safety Technology and Rail Crossing Safety Improvements Project.
SECTION 2. The application to the Federal Highway Administration and U.S.
Department of Transportation is approved retroactive to May 26, 2026.
SECTION 3. The application to the Federal Highway Administration and U.S.
Department of Transportation is approved retroactive to February 24, 2026.
SECTION 4. The City Council hereby approves the required local funding match
in the amount of$860,760 contingent upon award of the federal SS4A grant funding
Passed, approved, and adopted this 1st day of June 2026.
Aar . Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest:
Trish L. Gleason, Assistant City Clerk