Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP)

The Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) is administered by the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) and is governed by Iowa Administrative Code 761—Chapter 164. This program allocates safety improvement funds across three core categories: site-specific safety enhancements, traffic control devices (TCD), and studies and outreach. TSIP aims to reduce transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries by funding targeted improvements that enhance roadway and traffic safety. Any public jurisdiction within the state of Iowa—including cities, counties, and Iowa DOT districts—is eligible to apply. The three categories serve distinct safety goals. Site-specific projects involve the construction of physical roadway improvements. TCD projects focus on the installation or upgrade of signs, signals, and pavement markings. The studies and outreach category supports safety research, education, work zone safety, and data collection improvements. Each application is evaluated using criteria tailored to its category: benefit/cost analysis for site-specific projects, safety benefits for TCD applications, and relevance to safety goals for outreach projects. TSIP funds are sourced from Iowa’s Road Use Tax Fund, allocating 0.5% of the fund annually. This includes $500,000 for TCD projects, $500,000 for studies and outreach, and the remaining amount—historically between $5 to $6 million—for site-specific improvements. Individual project awards are capped at $500,000. A single applicant may submit multiple applications but is unlikely to receive more than $1 million in total funding per cycle. Applications must be submitted electronically in PDF format to DOT-TSIP@iowadot.us. Studies and outreach applications are submitted via the Iowa DOT Research portal. Required documentation varies by category but generally includes a narrative description, cost breakdown, maps, photographs, and supporting data such as crash summaries and traffic volumes. For TCD applications, only material costs are reimbursable; installation and maintenance are ineligible. Likewise, project elements that are aesthetic, routine maintenance, or unrelated to roadway safety are excluded from funding. The FY 2028 application deadline is August 15, 2026. FY 2026 funding notifications are expected by January 15, 2025, with funds available starting July 1, 2025, pending agreement execution. Projects must begin within two years of the award fiscal year, and one 12-month extension is permitted upon request. Projects requiring lettings must wait until July 1 of the award year to proceed. Reimbursement cannot be requested before that date. All projects must comply with design guidelines, including minimum lane and shoulder widths and the inclusion of rumble strips or safety edges where required. Applicants with questions are encouraged to contact the program via DOT-TSIP@iowadot.us. The TSIP continues to serve as a critical tool for reducing traffic-related incidents by supporting data-driven, safety-focused projects throughout Iowa.

Provide detailed and justified safety rationale; ensure crash data is accurate; follow cost breakdown requirements; ensure eligibility of proposed items.