Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)

Note: Except as indicated, all references in this document are to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-58 (Nov. 15, 2021).

Program Purpose

IIJA establishes the new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) competitive grant program, which supports local initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets, commonly referred to as "Vision Zero" or "Toward Zero Deaths" initiatives. The SS4A program supports the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) National Roadway Safety Strategy and a goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our nation's roadways.

Statutory Citations

• § 24112; Division J, Title VIII, Safe Streets and Roads for All Grants heading

Funding Features

Type of Budget Authority or Authorization of Appropriations

• Advance appropriations from the General Fund; not subject to any limitation on obligations. [Division J, Title VIII]

• Authorization, subject to appropriation, from the General Fund. [§ 24112(f)(1)]

Set-asides

• For each of FY22-26, DOT may retain and use for administrative expenses up to 2% of the amounts made available for the SS4A program. [§ 24112(f)(2)]

Distribution of Funds

• Not more than 15% of the funds made available to carry out the program for a fiscal year may be awarded to eligible projects in a single State during that fiscal year.

• For each of FY22-26, DOT must award not less than 40% of SS4A funds made available for that fiscal year to projects to develop comprehensive safety action plans. [§ 24112(c)(2)]

Availability of Funds

• Amounts made available under a grant under the program shall remain available for use by the grant recipient until the date that is 5 years after the date on which the grant is provided. [§ 24112(f)(3)]

Federal Share

• The Federal share of the cost of an SS4A project shall not exceed 80% [§ 24112(e)]

Eligible Activities

SS4A funds may be used to:

• Develop a comprehensive safety action plan;

• Conduct planning, design, and development activities for projects and strategies identified in a comprehensive safety action plan; or

• Carry out projects and strategies identified in a comprehensive safety action plan [§ 24112(a)(3)]

Program Features

This is a new program established under the IIJA.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are:

• A metropolitan planning organization;

• A political subdivision of a State;

• A federally recognized Tribal government; and

• A multijurisdictional group of entities described above. [§ 24112(a)(2)]

Selection Considerations

When awarding SS4A grants, the IIJA requires DOT to consider the extent to which an eligible applicant, and each eligible project proposed to be carried out by the eligible applicant, as applicable:

• Is likely to significantly reduce or eliminate transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries involving various road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, and commercial operators, within a timeframe proposed by the eligible entity;

• Demonstrates engagement with a variety of public and private stakeholders;

• Seeks to adopt innovative technologies or strategies to promote safety;

• Employs low-cost, high-impact strategies that can improve safety over a wider geographical area;

• Ensures, or will ensure, equitable investment in the safety needs of underserved communities in preventing transportation-related fatalities and injuries;

• Includes evidence-based projects or strategies; and

• Achieves such other conditions as the Secretary considers necessary. [§ 24112(d)(3)]

Additional Information and Assistance

• DOT is available to answer SS4A Program questions and provide associated technical assistance. For assistance, contact SS4A@dot.gov.

• For additional information on SS4A see: https://www.transportation.gov/SS4A