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Re-Allocate Funds to Support Operation Lifesaver Rail Transit Safety Education Grant Program
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DESCRIPTION: Re-allocate FY 2021 budgeted funds to allow RTA to leverage Operation Lifesaver Rail Transit Safety Education Grant award |
AGENDA NO: 21-139 |
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ACTION REQUEST: ☒ Approval ☐ Review Comment ☐ Information Only ☐ Other |
RECOMMENDATION:
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To authorize the Chief Executive Officer to re-allocate previously budgeted operating funds (Fiscal Year 2021) to leverage and commence work pursuant to the Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) Rail Transit Safety Education Grant project, for which RTA was awarded $20,000 in grant funds. The requested amount to dedicate to the required in-kind contribution is $6,667.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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RTA staff are requesting authorization to re-allocate $6,667 in the revised, approved Fiscal Year 2021 budget, which was previously intended to support a consultant study of left-turn conflicts with adverse motorists and other safety hazards present in the RTA streetcar network, to provide the required in-kind contribution for the OLI grant. The OLI grant-funded project is an opportunity to refresh and add to current public outreach campaign materials to increase public awareness of the hazards that exist on RTA’s Trackway and to promote safe pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist behaviors.
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DISCUSSION:
Since 2002, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has partnered with OLI to apply its safety programs to transit rail systems. RTA Safety Department staff have identified a critical need for additional public outreach campaigns to promote safe motorist, pedestrian, and bicyclist behaviors along the RTA Trackway on all lines. With the combined funds allocated to the project, RTA intends to develop and implement public awareness campaigns using a combination of in-house resources and professionally produced and edited media clips. Joint media releases by RTA and OLI’s Louisiana State Coordinator’s office will go out during the peak of the campaign activity. Right-of-way signage upgrades will also be featured as a safety improvement during the campaign.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The requested amount to re-allocate is $6,667. Account 1460002.7070.16603 will be used. It was previously budgeted to allow for a consultant study of left-turn conflicts with adverse motorists and other safety hazards in the RTA streetcar network. This study is being deferred at this time.
NEXT STEPS:
Upon receiving Board approval, the staff assigned to the project will initiate project tasks as outlined in the Rail Transit Safety Education Grant application, in partnership with OLI.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Completed application
2. Budget worksheet for grant application
3. Board Resolution
Prepared By: Michael J. Smith
Title: Chief Safety Officer
Reviewed By: Michael J. Smith
Title: Chief Safety Officer
Reviewed By: Gizelle Johnson Banks
Title: Chief Financial Officer
9/22/2021
Alex Wiggins Date
Chief Executive Officer