Introduction
The Municipal Fleet Safety Grant Program provides funding to assist municipalities in installing safety devices on municipal vehicles and to support municipal adoption of proven fleet safety practices.
Municipal fleet vehicles perform critical public functions across Massachusetts, including roadway maintenance, snow and ice removal, construction activities, waste collection, and other routine services. Many of these municipal vehicles operate near pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and other vulnerable roadway users. However, municipal vehicles can present visibility challenges for operators due to vehicle size, height, and blind spot limitations.
The Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities directed the Commonwealth to identify opportunities to improve roadway safety. As part of this effort, as well as MassDOT’s Safe System approach, MassDOT’s Direct Vision Study examined how vehicle design, driver visibility, and safety technologies can improve operator awareness and reduce risks associated with blind spots and limited sightlines around large vehicles. The study identified several safety devices that can improve visibility around municipal fleet vehicles, including lateral protective devices, convex mirrors, crossover mirrors, and backup cameras.
Program priorities
MassDOT seeks projects that:
- Increase adoption of proven fleet safety technologies.
- Demonstrate potential to improve safety for vulnerable roadway users.
- Demonstrate thoughtful selection of vehicles and safety equipment.
- Can be implemented successfully within the grant period.
Funding
$1,000,000.00 is available statewide. Applicants may request up to $75,000. This program will be administered as a reimbursement-based grant.
Selection criteria
Applicants will be evaluated based on the extent to which the proposed project advances the goals of the Fleet Safety Grant Program. MassDOT will evaluate applicants using the following evaluation criteria.
- Demonstrated need for safety improvements
- Proposed vehicles regularly frequent pedestrian, bicyclist, transit or other vulnerable roadway user environments
- Proposed vehicles operate in environments associated with elevated roadway safety risks
- Proposed project addresses specific fleet safety gaps
- Proposed vehicles represent appropriate candidates for retrofit
- Proposed safety equipment is appropriate for the selected vehicles and intended operating conditions
- Demonstrated procurement and installation readiness
MassDOT prioritizes applications from Environmental Justice Communities and/or Housing Choice Communities.
Project implementation
- The Fleet Safety Grant Program is a reimbursement-based program. Awarded municipalities will enter into a grant agreement with MassDOT prior to beginning any grant-funded work.
- Municipalities must receive a fully executed grant agreement and Notice to Proceed (NTP) from MassDOT before purchasing equipment, initiating installation activities, or incurring reimbursable project costs. Any costs incurred prior to issuance of NTP will not be eligible for reimbursement.
- All equipment purchases and installation services must comply with applicable federal, state, and local procurement requirements. Municipalities are required to ensure that all procurement activities are conducted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 30B.
- Projects must be completed within two years of contract execution.
- Awardees will be required to submit a final project report via MassDOT-provided form documenting data including, but not limited to:
- Total number of vehicles retrofitted
- Number and type of safety devices installed
- Anticipated and total project expenditures
- Procurement challenges and lessons learned