Highway Safety Improvement Program - Local (HSIP-Local)

The Highway Safety Improvement Program – Local (HSIP-Local) application for State Fiscal Year 2027 is administered by the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT). This program is designed to support county and city governments in Iowa by providing federal-aid ‘Swap’ funding for local safety improvement projects. The initiative aligns with broader federal safety goals and supports data-driven strategies to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries on public roads. The application process is managed by the Iowa DOT’s Traffic and Safety Bureau, which has outlined specific criteria and documentation requirements to streamline project selection and maximize safety outcomes. The primary objective of the HSIP-Local program is to fund safety-focused roadway improvement projects at the local level. Funding is available for a range of improvement types such as rumble strips, pavement markings, lighting, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, signage, and guardrail installations. Each improvement type is associated with an estimated Crash Reduction Factor (CRF), which serves as a planning-level metric to gauge potential safety benefits. Notably, projects involving rural intersection lighting and high-friction surface treatments are associated with some of the highest CRFs, indicating significant potential for crash reduction. Eligibility for this funding is limited to county and city governments in Iowa. Applicants must submit detailed project proposals that include general descriptions, routes, project limits, maps, cost estimates, and typical cross-sections. The projects must follow Iowa DOT letting requirements, as defined in the Local Systems Bureau IM 1.150. Applications can address either segments or intersections and curves, and must clearly identify the type of improvements being proposed. Additional documentation, such as safety plans, risk scores, benefit-cost analyses, or crash reduction potential from the Iowa DOT PCR tool, is encouraged to strengthen the application. The estimated funding request must be specified in the application, although no specific minimum or maximum funding limits are indicated. Projects may also include other federal-aid sources in addition to the HSIP-Local funds. Applicants should be aware that the submission of an application does not obligate either the applying agency or Iowa DOT to fund the project. Applications for FY2027 funding are due by November 15, 2025. Submissions must be sent to Greg Karssen, Safety Programs Engineer at Iowa DOT’s Traffic and Safety Bureau, via email at [email protected] or by phone at (515) 239-1267. The review and funding decision timeline beyond this submission deadline is not detailed, nor is a specific award or project implementation schedule provided. The HSIP-Local program is expected to recur annually, with subsequent cycles likely following similar timelines. The structured and evidence-based nature of the program, along with the flexibility in eligible improvement types, offers Iowa’s counties and cities a valuable opportunity to implement impactful local safety interventions using state-administered federal funding.