Educational 8 April 2024
The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program is a bipartisan infrastructure program that has allocated 5 billion dollars over 5 years, from 2022-2026, to improve the safety of roadways in the United States. The SS4A program provides funding opportunities for:
With less than three years remaining to take advantage of these funds, the time to implement safer roads in local communities is now, especially when considering solar lighting products from Sol. With their reliability, sustainability, and affordability, solar lighting products are the perfect way to take advantage of the SS4A grant.
The SS4A Grant Program provides funding for two unique types of grants, both with the goals of improving roadway safety: (1) Planning and Demonstration and (2) Implementation. Put simply, the U.S. Department of Transportation has allocated funds for improving roadway safety across applicable communities.
Despite the benefits, only 1.7 billion of the 5 billion dollars allocated for the program have been utilized thus far. With the program ending in 2026, eligible communities only have a few years left to take advantage of the remaining 3.3 billion dollars for their roadway safety projects.
Before applying for a grant, it is vital to understand the two distinct types within the SS4A Program.
There are two types of SS4A grants, each devoted to a specific aspect of a roadway safety project.
These grants are specifically designed to assist with costs related to the development of safety plans or to pilot innovative safety solutions like solar lighting projects. Specifically, the Planning and Demonstration Grants provide funds to complete or supplement an Action Plan.
In addition to funding provided for planning activities, the SS4A Program may also cover Demonstration activities. Simply put, most demonstration activities show proof of concept on a small scale, implementing temporary solutions to make roadways safer. For example, the addition of a bike lane on one street is proof that it will make other roadways safer.
There are three (3) 2024 deadlines for Planning and Demonstration Grant applications to accommodate projects at varying times of the year. The deadlines are:
To learn more about every planning and demonstration activity, visit the official U.S. Department of Transportation website.
Implementation Grants are funds devoted to the execution of previously established Action Plans that address a roadway safety problem. If a grant was already acquired through Planning and Demonstration, Implementation Grants will likely follow if the plan comes to fruition. Additionally, information acquired for Planning and Demonstration Grants can be used in the application process for Implementation Grants.
Although specific uses can be found here, Implementation Grants are approved when they are used to solve a matter of roadway safety. Activities like developing a bike lane, creating a roundabout to ease traffic, and implementing new lighting to increase driver visibility are applicable uses of an Implementation Grant.
The 2024 sole deadline for Implementation Grant applications is May 16, 2024, 5 P.M. (EDT).
The SS4A Grant is a vital resource that entities need when funding roadway safety projects. Installation of new lighting is a common method for improving roadway safety and with solar lighting, it is simple to qualify for those funds. Since Sol’s solar lighting products adhere to the Buy American Act (BAA) and Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), they meet the compliance necessary to qualify for funding.
With a streamlined qualification process, solar lighting products are the logical solution when entities search for lighting in their roadway safety products. Their qualification process is just the beginning of their benefits, as they are also reliable and affordable lighting products. Known for their high emphasis on sustainability, solar lights from Sol solve problems that traditional lighting products can’t.
Without a reliance on grid-based power, solar lights can be installed virtually anywhere without being wired to a nearby grid. There is no costly digging or trenching which is normally required for wired lighting solutions. That energy independence also contributes to their price point, saving the user money along the way. Solar lights don’t need trench digging or grid-based energy, meaning the upfront and long-term costs are significantly lower. The labor costs are also low, as installation is simple, only requiring a hole for the product to rest in.
Sol’s solar lights are the perfect candidate for SS4A Grant roadway safety projects because they typically qualify for funds, their upfront and long-term costs are low, and they prioritize safety with their reliable technology.
After determining that a project fits the criteria for the SS4A grant, there are several steps when properly applying. For a full, comprehensive overview of the application process, please visit the official U.S. Department of Transportation site for a full breakdown of every document, requirement, and form.
Although deadlines for the 2024 year are rapidly approaching, they will open again in 2025. The application process will be the same, so any materials gathered will still be relevant.
In the meantime, Sol is prepared to answer any questions to better prepare those who wish to take advantage of the SS4A Grant.
