TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: FHWA FY22 SMART Grant Application
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider authorizing the General Manager or his designee to file and execute applications for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) FY 2022 Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grant for the Transfer Connection Protection Project.
Staff Contact:
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Financial Stability and Resiliency
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The proposed project will improve service efficiency, enhance service reliability, and boost riders’ safety and experience when making transit transfers.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff recommends applying for up to $2 million of SMART Program grant funding to plan, develop and design transfer connection protection solutions for customers using Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and AC Transit services. The inter-agency Transfer Connection Protection development project will provide a platform for transit operators to enable improved connected mobility in the Bay Area region.
This grant does not require a local match.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
On September 19, 2022, the FHWA issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant program. The purpose of the SMART Grant is to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart city or community technologies and systems in a variety of communities to improve transportation efficiency and safety. The program funds projects that are focused on using technology innovations to solve real-world challenges and build data and technology capacity and expertise in the public sector.
Staff is planning to partner with BART and the University of California Berkeley Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology (PATH) to research, develop and test software solutions that will assist passengers connecting between BART and AC Transit services. These solutions aim to enhance connections by reducing wait time and trip travel time using real-time data, thus making mode transfers safer and more efficient.
Applications are due on November 18, 2022.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
By applying for this grant, the District would have the opportunity to obtain funding to explore solutions to address missed or delayed transit connections. The disadvantage is the amount of staff time and coordination required to successfully execute the research and development required for the project.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
Staff considered a magnetic bus docking project but upon further review, this project did not fit the grant guidelines as closely as the proposed project. Staff believed that the Transfer Connection Protection Project was the better fit for the grant and had more benefits and collaborative opportunities for the District and other Bay Area transit operators.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Board Policy 324 - Revenue and Grants
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Prepared by:
Michelle Ruan, Sr. Capital Planning Specialist
In Collaboration with:
Patricia Broadbent, Senior Project Manager
Jim Cunradi, Transportation Planning Manager
Eve Ng, Capital Planning & Grants Manager
Approved/Reviewed by:
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Ahsan Baig, Chief Information Officer
Robert del Rosario, Director of Service Development and Planning