Texas Department of Transportation
Request for Proposal
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Request for Proposals - Highway Safety Plan: In accordance with 43 TAC §25.901, et
seq., the Texas Department of Transportation is requesting project proposals, excluding
proposals to participate in Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Wave projects (STEP), to
support the traffic safety goals and strategies listed in this request. These goals and strategies
will form the basis for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 Highway Safety Plan (HSP). As alcoholrelated crashes are the leading cause of traffic fatalities in Texas, proposals to reduce driving
while impaired (DWI) are especially sought. Proposals to improve occupant protection use are
also highly desired. All proposals must include a minimum of 10% local cost share in the first
three years of an approved project. Proposals for a second or subsequent year of funding must
include a Cost Assumption Plan, demonstrating how the proposal will be funded after federal
funding ends. Proposals for a fourth or fifth year must contain a 35% and 50% cost share
respectively. Each proposal must state which goal(s) and strategy(ies) included in this RFP it
will support. Eligible organizations are state and local governments, educational institutions, and
non-profit organizations. Eligible, non-governmental organizations are subject to a pre-award
audit prior to any grant execution.
Project Selection Process: The Texas HSP is developed through a strategic performance
planning process, with the selection of projects based on problem identification and project
solution offered in the proposals. Traffic safety managers will review and evaluate each
proposal for applicability to Texas' traffic safety problems. Each qualifying project proposal will
be scored against a number of selected criteria. Criteria include strength of problem
identification supported with verifiable, current, and applicable documentation of the state or
local traffic safety problem; quality of the proposed solution plan; realistic performance
objectives and measures; time-framed action plan; cost eligibility; percent of matching funding
proposed; and the necessity and reasonableness of the budget. Proposals including the purchase
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Request for Proposal
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and distribution of child passenger safety seats or other occupant protection devices and supplies
require a 50% cost share. Proposals for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEPs) are
limited to one or more of the following: Driving While Intoxicated, Occupant Protection, Speed,
or Intersection Traffic Control. STEP proposals to specifically address these problems related to
commercial motor vehicles will also be considered. Education, training, or presentation
proposals using public schools must include written support from target schools or school
districts that the product will be included in the curriculum. Proposals for immediate or potential
statewide projects in public schools must also have verification of coordination and commitment
from the Texas Education Agency. Proposals must be submitted by the responsible entity or
have the written support from an authorized representative of that agency. Separate documents
with information pertaining to the submitting agency's qualifications, commitment, availability
of external resources, task force associations, or previous traffic safety or related experience may
also be included with the proposal. Once the scoring process is complete, proposed projects are
assigned priority for available funding. Selected proposals will be recommended for inclusion in
the Texas HSP expected to begin in federal fiscal year 2005 (October 1, 2004). Eligible and
worthwhile projects may be initiated prior to this date if sufficient funding is available.
Proposals selected for inclusion in the FY 2005 HSP become cost reimbursable grant-in-aid
agreements. Contracts with vendors will be made through the state purchasing process, not
through this request for proposal process. All information resource-related activities will be
subject to TxDOT information resource procurement procedures. Federal and state grant funds
cannot be used for lobbying.
HSP Review and Approval: The HSP will be submitted to the Texas Transportation
Commission for approval. Upon approval, the HSP is submitted to the Governor's Office and
forwarded to the federal government for review and comment.
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HSP Implementation: The HSP becomes operational on October 1 of every year if
federal appropriations allow. Funds are to be used to support state problem identification,
planning and implementation of a program to reduce crashes, deaths, and injuries on Texas
roadways. The traffic safety program is designed to implement worthwhile projects to be
assumed by the sponsoring agency, not as financial support for continuing operation. Texas
Traffic Safety Program project grant agreements supported with non-dedicated federal funds are
limited to the length of the proposed grant period and usually do not receive extended funding
beyond three years. Also, "supplanting" (use of federal funds to support personnel or an activity
that is already supported by local or state funds) is prohibited. Funding is also provided from
state, local, and private sources.
HSP Program Areas and Goals: Proposals are being solicited for the following goals
and strategies:
GOAL: Reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities in Texas
STRATEGIES:
•Increase enforcement of traffic laws
•Increase public education and information campaigns, including employer-based traffic
safety
•Lower number of people driving while impaired
•Improve emergency medical services in rural areas
GOAL: Reduce alcohol related crashes, injuries and fatalities
STRATEGIES:
•Improve anti-DWI public information and education campaigns
•Improve blood alcohol content testing
•Increase enforcement of driving while impaired (DWI) laws
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•Establish law enforcement task forces and coordinated enforcement campaigns
•Increase training for anti-DWI advocates
•Improve training, coordination, and information for law enforcement officers and DWI
prosecutors
•Improve DWI processing procedures
•Increase intervention efforts
•Develop a DWI and minor-in-possession tracking system
•Improve adjudication of DWI cases through
•Improved training for judges
•Improved training for prosecutors
•Improved support materials for judges and prosecutors
•Improve judicial training on administrative license revocation (ALR)
•Improve data collection and linkages
•Improve education programs on alcohol for youth
GOAL: Reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes where the driver is under age 21
STRATEGIES:
•Increase enforcement of anti-DUI laws
•Increase public education and information, concentrating on youth ages 5-13 and 14-20,
including parent education on drinking and driving
•Establish college campus anti-DUI programs
•Develop innovative ways and programs to combat underage drinking and driving
•Increase graduation/prom alcohol free activities
•Expand “El Protector” and keep concentration on alcohol issues
•Increase intervention efforts
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GOAL: Reduce the number of speed-related crashes
STRATEGIES:
•Increase enforcement of speed laws
•Increase public education and information campaigns to reduce speeding
•Identify best practices for speed deterrence when law enforcement is not present
•Improve traffic calming techniques and use
GOAL: Increase safety belt use in all passenger vehicles and trucks
STRATEGIES:
•Increase enforcement of safety belt use laws
•Increase public education and information on benefits of safety belt use
•Increase intervention efforts by healthcare professionals, teachers, and all safety
advocates
•Concentrate efforts on historically low use populations
•Increase judges and prosecutors awareness of correct safety belt use.
GOAL: Increase child passenger safety seat use
STRATEGIES:
•Increase enforcement of child passenger safety laws
•Increase public education and information campaigns on child passenger safety
•Increase retention of child passenger safety (CPS) technicians
•Increase training opportunities for CPS Instructors
•Continue CPS seat distribution programs for low income families
•Increase EMS/fire department involvement in CPS fitting stations
GOAL: Increase use of safety belts by passenger vehicle and pickup occupants ages 517
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STRATEGIES:
•Increase enforcement of safety belt use laws
•Increase public education and information campaigns on occupant protection
GOAL: Reduce number of traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities in work zones per 100
million miles traveled in Texas
STRATEGIES:
•Increase enforcement of traffic laws in work zones
•Increase public education and information on traffic safety in work zones
•Evaluate best practices for reducing work zone crashes, injuries and fatalities
GOAL: Reduce the number of bicyclist fatalities
STRATEGIES:
•Increase enforcement of traffic laws about bicycle right of way
•Increase motorist awareness of bicycle rights through public information and education
campaigns
•Increase use of safety equipment
•Improve bicycle crash data
GOAL: Reduce number of pedestrian fatalities
STRATEGIES:
•Improve identification of problem areas for pedestrians
•Improve public education and information on pedestrians and “safe walking”
•Improve data collection on pedestrian injuries and fatalities
GOAL: Increase use of motorcycle helmets
STRATEGIES:
•Increase enforcement of existing helmet law for riders and passengers under 18
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•Improve public education and information on the value of wearing a helmet
GOAL: Improve timeliness, quality of and linkages between traffic crash data bases
STRATEGIES:
•Link Departments of Health, Transportation, and Public Safety databases
•Improve local databases and their ability to electronically transmit crash data to
Departments of Health and Public Safety
GOAL: Reduce the number of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes, injuries and
fatalities
STRATEGIES:
•Increase enforcement of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) speed limits
•Increase public education and information on sharing the road with CMV
•Insure all citations are attached to the CMV driving license
•Develop partnerships with CMV industry and trade associations to increase education
and training of the general public and drivers
GOAL: Reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by distracted
driving.
STRATEGIES:
•Improve crash data reporting where distracted driving is a factor
•Increase public information and education of distracted driving dangers
Project Proposals: Current project proposal application forms and instructions, plus
other related documents are available at the TxDOT internet site:
www.dot.state.tx.us/trafficsafety
or upon request by contacting the Traffic Operations Division, Traffic Safety Section,
attention Mr. Bill Strawn at (512) 416-2613 or from the Traffic Safety Specialist at the nearest
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TxDOT district office. Proposals must be submitted in writing to the nearest TxDOT district
office, Attention: Traffic Safety Specialist, or mailed directly to Terry Pence, Traffic Operations
Division, Texas Department of Transportation, 125 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701-2483.
Proposals must be received by TxDOT no later than 5 p.m., December 15, 2003.
Authority and Responsibility: The traffic safety grant derives from the National
Highway Safety Act of 1966 (23 USC §401, et seq.), and the Texas Traffic Safety Act of 1967
(Transportation Code, Chapter 723). An integral part of the Texas Department of Transportation
and working through the department's 25 districts for local projects, the program is administered
at the state level by the department's Traffic Operations Division. The executive director of the
department is the designated Governor's Highway Safety Representative.