HomeMy WebLinkAboutOverview - Word VersionEnter the name of the grant recipient:
City of Palm Desert
Select your Name:
California
Enter the project name associated with the award number:
Palm Desert Vision Zero Strategy
Select the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) fiscal year for which you are creating a final report:
2022
Enter the award number (found in your grant agreement on page #1, item #1):
693JJ32340466
Enter the period of performance end date (found in your grant agreement on page #1, item #6):
07/20/2025
Enter the total cost of each project deliverable using grant funding. This will be the total project cost associated with each deliverable (e.g., action plan development $200,000; speed
safety camera pilot $150,000). This information may be located in your application's supplemental budget or narrative.
Consultant Total Costs: $893,986.59
Safe Routes to School Plan: $255,784.12
Safe Routes for Older Adults Plan $155,304.93
Public Engagement and Activation $344,128.79
Investment Strategy: $78,067.50
Dashboard and Monitoring Tool: $60,701.25
Describe any lessons learned from the work performed as part of this grant, including: What benefits did your community get out of doing this work? What challenges did you encounter
as part of the work? Were they anticipated, or unexpected? Why was this effort successful? Did the activities change the perceptions of anyone in the community? Response should be 1-2
paragraphs in length.
Through the SS4A-funded Vision Zero Strategy, Palm Desert learned the value of coupling data-driven analysis with robust community engagement. For example, the Safe Routes for Older
Adults and Safe Routes to School plans provided not only infrastructure recommendations but also meaningful insights into barriers faced by vulnerable users, such as heat exposure,
gaps in sidewalk connectivity, and unsafe crossings.
A major benefit was the creation of a shared vision across community members, advisory boards, and city staff, which strengthened buy-in for future safety investments. Challenges included
coordinating across multiple stakeholder groups and balancing infrastructure needs with programmatic initiatives; while anticipated, the extent of coordination required was greater
than expected. Ultimately, the effort was successful because it combined technical analysis, strong consultant support, and visible outreach tools such as the VIP pedestrian safety
campaign, which helped shift perceptions of roadway safety and built momentum for future implementation.
Briefly describe any recommendations that could help inform the SS4A program and future plans, projects, and strategies to prevent fatalities and serious injuries on roads and streets,
including: what additional activities would have been helpful to make the deliverables from this award even stronger? did you have the resources and time you needed? what do you wish
you would have done, assuming you had additional time/money/resources? did the Department provide any information that was particularly useful to you? Response should be 1-2 paragraphs
in length.
Looking forward, additional funding and time for demonstration projects and temporary installations would have strengthened the deliverables by testing solutions before permanent investment.
While the City had sufficient resources to develop a comprehensive strategy, added capacity for pilot projects (e.g., lane narrowing or enhanced crossings) could have accelerated community
acceptance and provided real-time feedback. The Department’s guidance and emphasis on data-driven approaches, particularly through alignment with the High-Injury Network and proven
countermeasures, was especially useful. With additional funding for implementation, Palm Desert could scale these strategies more quickly and broaden their impact on preventing fatalities
and serious injuries.
An action plan is a comprehensive safety plan that addresses the seven criteria outlined in the SS4A Self-Certification Worksheet (https://www.transportation.gov/grants/ss4a/self-certification-worksh
eet). Creating one may involve starting a new plan or updating an existing plan (e.g., Local Road Safety Plan, Tribal Transportation Plan, Toward Zero Deaths Plan, Vision Zero plan,
etc.) to be compliant with the Self-Certification Checklist. Did your SS4A award include funding to create a new action plan or update an existing action plan?
Yes (attach Self-Certification Worksheet))
Supplemental planning involves items such as Safe Routes to School plans, lighting studies, speed studies, accessibility plans, etc. Did your SS4A grant agreement include funding for
at least one supplemental planning activity?
Yes. The SS4A grant agreement funded two supplemental planning activities: the Safe Routes to School Plan and the Safe Routes for Older Adults Plan. Both efforts included comprehensive
data collection, accessibility assessments, and engagement with vulnerable users to identify barriers and opportunities for safer walking and biking.
In addition, the project produced a Vision Zero Safety Data Dashboard, which functions as an ongoing monitoring and analytical tool to support future studies such as speed and lighting
evaluations. Together, these supplemental planning activities provide a strong foundation for targeted safety improvements and future grant applications.
Demonstration activities include quick build projects, piloting new technologies, piloting new operational or behavioral activities (e.g., EMS whole blood, educational program), etc.
Does your SS4A award include funding for demonstration activities?
No.
Enter the name of the authorized certifying official:
Randy Chavez
Enter the authorized official's title:
Public Works Director
Enter the authorized official's telephone number:
760-776-6462
Enter the authorized official's email:
rchavez@palmdesert.gov