Approve Resolution No. 22-48 supporting the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of The Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R) for the 2022 Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants to fund the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Railroad Monitoring, Communication, and Notification System Project (CTR2203).

On September 19, 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the opening of the fiscal year 2022 round of the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the SMART Grants Program with $500 million in advanced appropriations, including $100 million in the fiscal year 2022. The purpose of the SMART Grants Program is to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart technologies and systems in a variety of communities to improve transportation efficiency and safety. The program funds projects focused on using technology interventions to solve real-world challenges and build data and technology capacity and expertise in the public sector. 
 
The SMART Grants Program includes two stages: Stage 1 Planning and Prototyping Grants and Stage 2 Implementation Grants. The basis of the Program is on the belief that planning, prototyping, and partnerships are critical to advancing data and technology projects in the public sector. DOT anticipates that only recipients of State 1 Planning and Prototyping Grants will be eligible for Stage 2 Implementation Grants. Stage 1 projects can receive up to $2,000,000 per project, and Stage 2 projects can receive up to $15,000,000 per project. Stage 1 projects for SMART funding will be evaluated based on technical merit criteria, project readiness, and other considerations such as benefit to historically disadvantaged communities.

Project Description
 
The U.S. 90A corridor serves approximately 63,000 vehicles on weekdays and can increase to approximately 70,000 vehicles during the school year. The adjacent Union Pacific Railroad track serves approximately 32 trains every day. With the proposed merger of Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern Railway, train traffic is anticipated to increase since U.S. 90A is a major route to the south. The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Railroad Monitoring, Communication, and Notification System Project focuses on upgrading hardware for the City’s existing railroad monitoring system and begins to lay the foundation for connected vehicles to support traffic operations.
 
The existing railroad monitoring system can detect train speed, direction, and length at six locations within the City along the U.S. 90A corridor. The goal of this project is to expand this system to more locations within the City and ultimately to other locations along the U.S. 90A corridor within Fort Bend County. Therefore, the City plans to coordinate with Fort Bend County, Missouri City, Stafford, and Richmond on the project. The project also aims to enhance how the City shares this information with roadway users to improve congestion and emergency response times.
 
The total estimated cost for the ITS Railroad Monitoring, Communication, and Notification System Project is $2,050,300. The total amount of funding available for the project is $2,280,000, including $1,250,000 allocated in the City’s fiscal year 2022 CIP and $1,030,000 allocated in the 2020 Fort Bend County Mobility Bond. This grant application is for a Stage 1 Planning and Prototyping Grant, which will allow the City to continue testing and prototyping equipment to determine the best solution before moving forward with investing in upgrading the system. DOT does not require a cost-share or funding match for Stage 1 grants. Therefore, if awarded the grant, the City is not required to set aside matching funds.
 
The application is due on Friday, November 18, 2022, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. DOT will make award announcements in early 2023. This process does not commit the City to expend any funds at this time.
 
The Engineering Department requests City Council approve Resolution No. 22- 48 supporting the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 2022 Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants to fund the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Railroad Monitoring, Communication, and Notification System Project (CTR2203).