The Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF), managed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under the U.S. Department of Transportation, provides funding to enhance transportation safety on Tribal lands for fiscal years 2022 through 2026. The TTPSF is a component of the Tribal Transportation Program (TTP), authorized under Section 202(e) of Title 23, U.S. Code. The program aims to address and mitigate safety concerns related to transportation in Tribal areas through a competitive grant process. The funding ranges from $23.1 million in FY 2022 to $25.1 million in FY 2026, with the actual distribution dependent on available appropriations each year.

The TTPSF seeks to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in transportation-related crashes on Tribal lands. The program emphasizes strategic safety planning and encourages the development of data-driven transportation safety plans, which are used to identify safety risks and outline methods to mitigate them. Eligible projects under TTPSF must align with an existing safety plan and target improvements that directly address hazardous road conditions or specific highway safety issues. The types of projects include developing safety plans, improving data collection, implementing systemic safety measures, and executing infrastructure improvements to enhance safety.

Federally recognized Indian Tribes are eligible to apply for TTPSF grants. While other entities can partner with Tribes for these projects, only federally recognized Tribes may serve as the lead applicant. Each Tribe can submit more than one application, but only one project may be included in each application. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate scalability in their project requests to allow partial funding if necessary, which will enable more Tribes to benefit from the available funding. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for TTPSF, although applications that leverage additional funding sources may be prioritized if funding requests exceed available resources.

The TTPSF provides funding under four main categories: (1) transportation safety plans, (2) data assessment, improvement, and analysis, (3) systemic roadway departure countermeasures, and (4) infrastructure improvements and other eligible activities under Section 148(a)(4) of Title 23. Examples of eligible activities include intersection safety improvements, pavement widening, installation of rumble strips, pedestrian and bicycle safety measures, and installation of traffic control devices. Projects must be identified through a data-driven approach and focus on improving identified hazardous locations or mitigating specific safety concerns.

The application process requires electronic submission through the FHWA website or Grants.gov. Applications for FY 2022 were due by September 15, 2022, while applications for subsequent years must be submitted between October 1 and January 15 of the respective fiscal year. Applicants are encouraged to provide comprehensive project information, including detailed cost estimates, project narratives, and supporting safety data. A key component of the application is the alignment of proposed projects with existing transportation safety plans or other safety assessments, demonstrating a strategic approach to addressing safety needs.

The evaluation of applications will be based on the extent to which proposed projects align with TTPSF's goals of reducing fatalities and serious injuries. Applications will be rated as "Highly Qualified," "Qualified," or "Not Qualified" based on criteria such as strategic safety planning, supporting safety data, facility ownership, and expected crash reduction. Projects will be prioritized for funding based on their qualification rating, with additional consideration given to those leveraging additional funding sources and demonstrating a capacity for timely implementation.

Successful applicants will receive TTPSF funds through their existing TTP contracting arrangements, either with FHWA or the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). All awards will be subject to federal administrative and policy requirements, including compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the consideration of climate change resilience in project planning. Recipients must also adhere to specific reporting requirements, including annual reports and the completion of project milestones within set timelines. Failure to meet these requirements may result in the recovery of unexpended funds.

For additional information, applicants can contact Adam Larsen, TTPSF Program Manager at the Office of Tribal Transportation, or consult the TTPSF webpage on the FHWA website for updates, including information about upcoming Webinars and further guidance on the application process.