Title
Report regarding Resolutions authorizing two applications to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority for Cycle 4 Alternative Congestion Relief and Transportation Demand Management Program funding (John Wilson, Senior Civil Engineer)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt two resolutions authorizing applications to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) for the Transit and Emergency Vehicle Signal Priority Timing Plans and SAFE-T South San Francisco Expansion projects; committing the required local matching funds; and authorizing the City Manager or their designee to execute project supplements if funding is awarded.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 140-2026 on October 14, 2026, authorizing staff to submit qualifying competitive transportation grant applications consistent with adopted City plans and priorities, subject to specified local matching requirements. Pursuant to this authorization, staff submitted the applications by the applicable grant deadlines. These staff reports and accompanying resolutions were prepared before those deadlines but were subsequently scheduled for Council consideration after the application periods closed. The resolutions are therefore being presented to document Council support for the submitted applications, satisfy applicable grant program requirements, and authorize any additional actions specified therein. Any grant awards will return to Council for acceptance and necessary budget appropriations.
Community outreach and engagement will be an important component of project development. As projects advance, staff will seek input from residents, businesses, schools, and other stakeholders, as appropriate, to better understand local conditions, identify community concerns, and inform the development and refinement of proposed improvements. Opportunities for participation will be tailored to the scope and circumstances of each project, with community feedback considered alongside engineering analysis, safety objectives, applicable standards, and project constraints.
Executive Summary
SMCTA issued its Cycle 4 Alternative Congestion Relief and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program Call for Projects on August 31, 2026, with applications due October 30, 2026. The program supports projects that improve transportation efficiency, encourage sustainable travel, and reduce vehicle miles traveled.
The City proposes two applications under the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Planning and Design subcategory. The first would develop and implement signal timing plans for previously funded transit and emergency vehicle priority systems. The second would expand multimodal traffic signal safety improvements to seven intersections through the Safety Applications For Every Traveler (SAFE-T) program.
Transit and Emergency Vehicle Signal Priority Timing Plans
In Cycle 3, SMCTA awarded the City two grants for transit signal priority and emergency vehicle preemption improvements in the eastern and western neighborhoods. These projects provide the equipment and systems needed to improve transit reliability and emergency response.
The proposed Cycle 4 project would build upon these investments by developing and implementing detailed signal timing and priority strategies. Work would include reviewing existing operations, developing timing parameters, integrating priority operations with corridor signal coordination, conducting field testing and adjustments, and establishing performance measures. The scope would complement, rather than duplicate, the previously funded improvements.
SAFE-T South San Francisco Expansion
The City proposes expanding the regional SAFE-T concept developed by the City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG), which uses multimodal detection and responsive traffic signal operations to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.
The project would address seven intersections not included in C/CAG's regional SAFE-T application:
(1) Airport Boulevard/Oyster Point Boulevard;
(2) Oyster Point Boulevard/Gateway Boulevard;
(3) East Grand Avenue/Gateway Boulevard;
(4) Airport Boulevard/East Grand Avenue;
(5) South Airport Boulevard/Belle Air Road;
(6) East Grand Avenue/Forbes Boulevard; and
(7) Airport Boulevard/Baden Avenue.
These locations were selected based on pedestrian and bicycle activity, collision history, and reported safety concerns.
The project would include site-specific engineering, multimodal detection equipment, installation, system integration, and testing. Potential improvements include pedestrian crossing-time extensions, dynamic No Turn on Red restrictions, leading pedestrian intervals, and bicycle-responsive signal operations. Final treatments would be determined through engineering evaluation and field verification.
Staff would coordinate with C/CAG to ensure the proposed improvements complement the regional SAFE-T program without duplicating funded work.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City proposes the following funding requests, each requiring a 10 percent local match:
|
Project |
Total Cost |
SMCTA Request |
City Match |
|
Transit and Emergency Vehicle Signal Priority Timing Plans |
$551,000 |
$495,900 |
$55,100 |
|
SAFE-T South San Francisco Expansion |
$525,000 |
$472,500 |
$52,500 |
|
Total |
$1,076,000 |
$968,400 |
$107,600 |
Staff recommends committing $107,600 in local matching funds from eligible traffic impact fee resources, including the Citywide Traffic Impact Fee and East of 101 Traffic Impact Fee funds, as applicable.
If awarded, the City would execute project supplements under its existing SMCTA Primary Grant Agreement and initiate work within one year of funding allocation. The resolutions also certify that grant funds would supplement, rather than replace, existing resources.
Staff will return to City Council for any necessary budget appropriations before expending funds.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES ACTION PLAN
This project supports the Infrastructure and the Environment Major Focus Area by improving the reliability and resilience of the City’s traffic signal system. The improvements also support the Quality of Life major focus area by improving access and reliability for all roadway users.