Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Action Plan

About SS4A

Safe Streets and Roads for all (SS4A) is a new federal funding program to help advance the nation’s goal of Zero roadway deaths. Funds for the fiscal year 2023 SS4A grant program are to be awarded to support planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians; bicyclists; public transportation, personal conveyance, and micromobility users; motorists; and commercial vehicle operators. It is important to recognize and address that some communities are disproportionately impacted by unsafe street designs and policies, particularly communities of color and people in low-income areas. SS4A grants emphasize safety investments in Historically Disadvantaged Communities and Tribal lands.

In November 2018, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), in collaboration with State and regional partners, developed and promoted highway safety by joining the Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) movement. TZD is a national strategy that calls for all stakeholders to champion the idea that one death on our nation’s roadways is one too many, and therefore, we must all work together to bring the annual number of roadways deaths down to zero. To move forward with TZD, VDOT developed the 2022-2026 Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), a five-year, action-based plan that frames major safety issues and identifies strategies to address them.

The GWRC and FAMPO Safety Plan proposal focuses on deploying a full package of low-cost, high-impact strategies primarily in Underserved Communities, with a particular emphasis on the most vulnerable travelers – people walking, rolling, and bicycling. Applying standard evidence-based interventions such as protected bicycle lanes, sidewalks, leading pedestrian intervals, marked crosswalks, and traffic calming tools like speed cushions, in the areas of highest need improves safety for all travelers across broad regions of GWRC. It is important to highlight that safety and social justice work also includes disability rights. Pedestrian interactions with motor vehicles bring safety risks, which are amplified for  ersons with disabilities, including those who use mobility devices, have low or no vision, or are Deaf-Blind. The boundary between the sidewalk and roadway is a physical barrier for people using mobility devices and can present additional safety issues for persons who cannot see where to safely cross the street.

Review further information on this page to learn more about the SS4A grant and its progression. Questions about the study should be sent to Becky Golden at becky.golden@gwregion.org.