Safe Streets For All Grant (SS4A) Safety Action Plan Grant

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The City of Sanford was awarded a $200,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Grant from the US DOT. The grant was used to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan to prevent roadway fatalities and injuries in our community. The action plan was developed with the Vision-Zero strategy, which aims to, "eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all."

Sanford's Director of Public Works, Matthew Hill, emphasized the grant's significance: "The SS4A grant enables the City to hire a consultant to develop a robust Action Plan. Once completed, we can identify a specific safety concern outlined in the plan and apply for an SS4A Implementation Grant to address it. Additionally, the Safety Action Plan opens doors to other funding opportunities beyond the SS4A program."

Implementation Grants, funded by the federal government, support projects and strategies derived from Safety Action Plans to address roadway safety issues. These projects may include infrastructure upgrades, behavioral campaigns, demonstration projects, and operational improvements. According to the DOT, Implementation Grants prioritize projects that:

  • Save lives and reduce roadway fatalities and severe injuries.
  • Incorporate equity, engagement, and collaboration in execution.
  • Utilize proven practices and strategies.
  • Address climate change, sustainability, and economic competitiveness.

Improving Sanford's streets and roads has long been a priority for the City Council and staff. This grant complements Sanford’s ongoing local, regional, and national efforts to enhance infrastructure and revitalize the community.

"One of the City’s key priorities is making our roadways safer and more accessible for all users," said Hill. "Receiving this grant is an essential step toward achieving that goal."

Public Safety Policy Adoption

At the August 20th City Council meeting, the Council unanimously adopted a public safety policy: "The City of Sanford recognizes that even one traffic-related serious injury or fatality is too many. Therefore, given the resources available, the Sanford City Council commits to a goal of reducing or eliminating such incidents for all road users—including pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers—by January 1, 2028, in alignment with the Sanford Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Action Plan. Progress will be guided by the Sanford SS4A Safety Action Plan, with monthly oversight by the Public Safety Subcommittee of the Sanford City Council. These meetings will be open to the public to encourage equitable engagement and active participation from all stakeholders."

Pilot Program to Address Vehicle Speed

One of the key priorities identified in the SS4A Safety Action Plan is managing vehicle operating speeds, a major factor in both perceived and data-driven safety concerns. To address this, the City is preparing a Pilot Program Demonstration Grant application to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which includes the following initiatives:

  • Software upgrades for the new ATC signals installed by MaineDOT this year. These upgrades, using the proprietary E-daptive system, will enhance adaptive traffic signal flexibility.
  • Midblock sensors to provide advanced traffic volume information, improving signal coordination for “platoons” of vehicles.
  • Public education campaign led by the City to inform residents about the benefits of adaptive signals. These systems have demonstrated up to a 12% improvement in traffic flow and increased "arrivals on green" when vehicles comply with speed limits on similar corridors, such as Route 109.
  • Enhanced speed enforcement within key corridors, supported by the public awareness campaign

By pursuing these efforts, Sanford aims to create safer, more efficient roadways for all and reinforce its commitment to eliminating traffic-related fatalities and injuries.


The City of Sanford was awarded a $200,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Grant from the US DOT. The grant was used to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan to prevent roadway fatalities and injuries in our community. The action plan was developed with the Vision-Zero strategy, which aims to, "eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all."

Sanford's Director of Public Works, Matthew Hill, emphasized the grant's significance: "The SS4A grant enables the City to hire a consultant to develop a robust Action Plan. Once completed, we can identify a specific safety concern outlined in the plan and apply for an SS4A Implementation Grant to address it. Additionally, the Safety Action Plan opens doors to other funding opportunities beyond the SS4A program."

Implementation Grants, funded by the federal government, support projects and strategies derived from Safety Action Plans to address roadway safety issues. These projects may include infrastructure upgrades, behavioral campaigns, demonstration projects, and operational improvements. According to the DOT, Implementation Grants prioritize projects that:

  • Save lives and reduce roadway fatalities and severe injuries.
  • Incorporate equity, engagement, and collaboration in execution.
  • Utilize proven practices and strategies.
  • Address climate change, sustainability, and economic competitiveness.

Improving Sanford's streets and roads has long been a priority for the City Council and staff. This grant complements Sanford’s ongoing local, regional, and national efforts to enhance infrastructure and revitalize the community.

"One of the City’s key priorities is making our roadways safer and more accessible for all users," said Hill. "Receiving this grant is an essential step toward achieving that goal."

Public Safety Policy Adoption

At the August 20th City Council meeting, the Council unanimously adopted a public safety policy: "The City of Sanford recognizes that even one traffic-related serious injury or fatality is too many. Therefore, given the resources available, the Sanford City Council commits to a goal of reducing or eliminating such incidents for all road users—including pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers—by January 1, 2028, in alignment with the Sanford Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Action Plan. Progress will be guided by the Sanford SS4A Safety Action Plan, with monthly oversight by the Public Safety Subcommittee of the Sanford City Council. These meetings will be open to the public to encourage equitable engagement and active participation from all stakeholders."

Pilot Program to Address Vehicle Speed

One of the key priorities identified in the SS4A Safety Action Plan is managing vehicle operating speeds, a major factor in both perceived and data-driven safety concerns. To address this, the City is preparing a Pilot Program Demonstration Grant application to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which includes the following initiatives:

  • Software upgrades for the new ATC signals installed by MaineDOT this year. These upgrades, using the proprietary E-daptive system, will enhance adaptive traffic signal flexibility.
  • Midblock sensors to provide advanced traffic volume information, improving signal coordination for “platoons” of vehicles.
  • Public education campaign led by the City to inform residents about the benefits of adaptive signals. These systems have demonstrated up to a 12% improvement in traffic flow and increased "arrivals on green" when vehicles comply with speed limits on similar corridors, such as Route 109.
  • Enhanced speed enforcement within key corridors, supported by the public awareness campaign

By pursuing these efforts, Sanford aims to create safer, more efficient roadways for all and reinforce its commitment to eliminating traffic-related fatalities and injuries.


Page last updated: 23 Mar 2025, 07:40 AM