The Public Works Department has historically submitted grant applications for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). On May 9, 2016, Caltrans announced the Call for Projects for Cycle 8 of HSIP. HSIP is a core federal-aid program to the States for the purpose of achieving a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. HSIP focuses on infrastructure projects with nationally recognized crash reduction factors (CRFs) and must be identified on the basis of crash history.
Examples of eligible type of projects may include, but are not limited to, the following list:
• Intersection safety improvement
• Pavement and shoulder widening
• Installation of rumble strips or another warning devices
• Installation of a skid-resistant surface
• Improvement for bicycle or pedestrian safety
• Elimination of hazards at a railway-highway crossing
• Traffic calming feature
• Elimination of a roadside obstacle
• Highway signage and pavement markings
• Traffic control or other warning device
• Installation of guardrails, barriers, and crash attenuators
HSIP emphasizes identifying low cost safety projects that can be designed and constructed expeditiously. Projects should not require the acquisition of significant rights of way, nor should they require extensive environmental review and mitigation.
Also, typical road projects, such as shoulder widening and curve realignment projects, are required to show an incremental approach of lower cost improvements that have been installed and have not proved to be effective before higher cost improvements will be considered for funding. The minimum request for federal funds is $100,000 per application, with a maximum total request amount from any one agency set at $10 million.
Project selection is awarded solely on the benefit/cost (B/C) ratio calculated for each project based on the value of benefits calculated from the volume and severity of injuries that have occurred within a project’s limits and the cost of the proposed project improvements. The minimum B/C ratio to be considered in the selection process for Cycle 8 is 3.5.
Public Works Staff utilized the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) maintained by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to identify the list of roadway segments and intersections within unincorporated Contra Costa County with the highest number of collisions.
The County roadways with the highest volume of collisions within the most recent five years data available, from 1/1/2010-12/31/2014 are identified below:
1. Kirker Pass Road
2. Vasco Road
3. Marsh Creek Road
4. San Pablo Dam Road
5. Highland Road
6. Byron Highway
7. Hess Road
8. Camino Tassajara
9. Deer Valley Road
The County intersections with the highest volume of collisions within the most recent five years data available, from 1/1/2010-12/31/2014 are identified below:
1. Bailey Road/Canal Road
2. San Pablo Dam Road/Appian Way
3. Treat Boulevard/Oak Road
4. Treat Boulevard/Jones Road
5. Vasco Road/Camino Diablo
6. Willow Pass Road/Bailey Road
7. Treat Boulevard/Cherry Lane
8. Willow Pass Road/Port Chicago Highway
9. Byron Highway/Camino Diablo
10. Evora Road/Willow Pass Road
The CHP collision reports were reviewed to determine the typical cause of collisions and potential countermeasures. Many of the roadways and intersections listed already have funding identified for projects to address safety improvements. Staff utilized the collision data, requests from the community, and discussions with the County Traffic Engineer to evaluate potential safety improvement projects that would compete well for funding.
Funding Set-asides:
In Cycle 8, Caltrans has set aside funds for two new funding set-asides. Applications for funding set-asides do not require collision data or a benefit/cost ratio calculation. The two new funding set-aside categories are:
1. Guardrail Upgrades Set-aside ($600,000 maximum per agency)
2. Crosswalk Enhancements at unsignalized locations and/or pedestrian countdown heads at signalized intersections ($250,000 maximum per agency)
Project Recommendations:
The Public Works Department recommends the following five projects (in no particular priority order) as candidates for Cycle 8 of HSIP funding, based upon collision history and initial project scoping:
1. Crosswalk Enhancements (Funding Set-aside)
The purpose of this project is to construct pedestrian crosswalk enhancements to improve pedestrian safety and increase driver awareness at existing uncontrolled crosswalks. Without a stop sign or traffic signal, drivers tend to travel at higher speeds and pose a safety concern for pedestrians at uncontrolled crosswalks. Improvements include installation of Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFBs) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) curb ramps, where feasible.
Two locations were selected based on crosswalk location, traffic volumes, pedestrian volumes, community requests, and discussions with the County Traffic Engineer:
• Olympic Boulevard crossing near Bridgefield Road, unincorporated Walnut Creek (Supervisorial District 2)
• Walden Road crossing near Westcliffe Lane, unincorporated Walnut Creek (Supervisorial District 4)
2. Marsh Creek Road Guardrail Upgrades (Funding Set-aside) (Supervisorial District 3 & 4)
This project is located along Marsh Creek Road from the Clayton City Limits to Camino Diablo. The project proposes to replace the end treatments of existing guardrail to improve safety by reducing injury severity of drivers who veer off the roadway. Guardrail is typically installed in locations where the terrain is steep and where running off the roadway is likely to lead to serious injury.
The new Flared Energy Absorbing Terminal (FLEAT) end treatments are designed to absorb the impact and direct errant vehicles back towards the traveled way, reducing the injury severity of vehicles hitting the guardrail. Marsh Creek Road was selected based on the high traffic volume, speed, collision history, and number of existing guardrail.
3. Danville Blvd/Orchard Court Complete Streets Improvements (Supervisorial District 2)
Through an extensive community outreach effort with the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council, this project aims at improving safety and mobility for all users through the downtown corridor along Danville Blvd between Jackson Way and Stone Valley Road. The project proposes to install a roundabout at the Danville Blvd/Orchard Court intersection. The project also includes curb & sidewalk reconstruction, striping reconfiguration, drainage improvements and community enhancements. Consistent with complete streets policies, this project would assure that the transportation corridor is accessible for all modes and all users with an emphasis on a pedestrian and bicycle friendly environment and ADA access.
4. San Pablo Dam Road Traffic Safety Improvements (Supervisorial District 1)
The purpose of this project is to improve safety along San Pablo Dam Road between Richmond City Limits and Bear Creek Road. Four fatal collisions occurred in 2015 along this segment of San Pablo Dam Road. The project proposes to install centerline rumble strips to reduce collisions caused by crossing over the centerline of the roadway. The project will also look at replacing existing regulatory and warning signs with high reflectivity signs to increase visibility at night and upgrading existing guardrail end treatments to reduce injury severity.
5. Byron Highway/Byer Road Intersection Improvements (Supervisorial District 3)
This project is located along Byron Highway near Byer Road, adjacent to Excelsior Middle School, Byron Area (Supervisorial District 3). The project proposes to widen the roadway to provide a left-turn pocket from southbound Byron Highway onto eastbound Byer Road and make access improvements along Byron Highway to facilitate school traffic entering/exiting Excelsior Middle School on Byron Highway. Roadway widening is expected along the east side of Byron Highway along the school frontage. County staff has met with the Byron Union School District and they are supportive of the project.
Next Steps:
If authorized to proceed, staff will prepare the grant application packages. If during project research prior to the application deadline, staff discovers a critical constraint that would result in the project being cost prohibitive or will not meet the eligibility requirements of the funding program, staff will hold the application for further study to increase project readiness for the following grant cycle. |
| The applications for HSIP funds require up to a 10% local match, as well as funds to cover federally ineligible project costs. Any funding received from an HSIP grant would be combined with other funds, such as Measure J, Area of Benefit funds, other grants, or local road funds. The projects recommended for submittal are in the cost range of $250,000 to $4,000,000. For each of these projects, Public Works will apply for the unfunded project costs, up to $10,000,000, which is the maximum amount HSIP will award to any single agency. |