Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 24, 2024
Subject
SUBJECT: RAIL CROSSING GATE OPTIMIZATION DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to:
A. AMEND the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget to add $2,000,000 for the Rail Crossing Gate Optimization Demonstration Project, federally funded by the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant Award; and
B. EXECUTE agreements and any contracts within the grant amount for the Rail Crossing Gate Optimization Demonstration Project.
Issue
ISSUE
In March 2024, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded Metro a $2 million grant to test a wireless crossing gate activation system. Metro executed the grant agreement with USDOT in July 2024 but needs to allocate funds for FY25 for this project. Metro received notice of the award after the budget drafting process had concluded. Approval of these recommendations will allow staff to begin work on the Rail Crossing Gate Optimization Demonstration Project, which will test whether wireless technology can activate at-grade crossing gates on Metro's light rail system.
Background
BACKGROUND
The Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Program provides grants to public sector agencies to conduct demonstration projects that advance smart technologies and systems that improve transportation efficiency and safety. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established this discretionary grant program with a $100 million appropriation annually for FY 2022-2026.
The SMART Program has two stages of funding. Stage One, which Metro received, is open to any eligible entity for the purpose of conducting a demonstration project. The maximum award for Stage One is $2 million for a project period of 18 months. Stage One grantees can apply to expand their projects through Stage Two grants, which award a ...
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