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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.11 Traffic Safety Grant CITY CLERK File # 0590-90 AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: April '18, 2000 SUBJECT: Office of Traffic Safety Grant "Traffic Safety Radar Enforcement and Bicycle Safety Program" Report Prepared by Amy Cunningham, Administrative Assistant 'f~ ATTACHMENTS: None RECOMMENDATION:/t~d~/~''° Authorize Police Services to apply for funding through the Office Traffic Safety for the purchase of equipment necessary to enhance the existing Traffic Safety Program. FINANCIAL STATEMENT: This grant proposal in the amount of $35,000 would authorize the purchase of radar equipment, bicycle helmets and other items necessary to support an enhanced traffic safety program. Of the total grant, $34,000 is expected to be spent in Fiscal Year 1999-2000. DESCRIPTION: The State of California, Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has grant funding available to local agencies to focus on increasing traffic safety throughout the state. Dublin Police Services (DPS) is proposing an enhanced traffic safety program that will address some of the traffic issues emerging in the City. DPS would implement an augmented program to reduce speed-related collisions through increased speed enforcement and public education. The main goal of this portion of the program is to reduce speed related collisions by 10%. DPS will utilize a combination of radar enforcement and a speed trailer to educate the public about traffic issues. Specific speed zones will be identified and targeted for enforcement based on collision data and citizen complaints. An additional component of this program is the purchase of a radar unit to be utilized by Public Works to conduct speed studies and set safe speed limits throughout the City. The second component of this program would implement an enhanced bicycle safety program. This program would educate children on bicycle and helmet safety and traffic laws relating to bicycle riding. The goal of this portion of the program would be to reduce bicycle collisions and injuries. Bicycle rodeos and safety classes would be conducted throughout the community to educate children and their parents. The grant will allow for the purchase of over 150 bicycle helmets that will be provided to children who are not able to purchase helmets themselves. DPS staff will check that children's helmets fit and are being worn properly. The $35,000 grant would allow DPS to purchase several items necessary to implement the enhanced program and achieve the outlined goals. One radar trailer with speed display and the capability to compile speed related statistical data would be acquired. DPS would purchase five radar units; four to be utilized by DPS for traffic enforcement purposes, the fifth to be utilized by Public Works for speed studies. COPIES TO: ITEM NO. Approximately 150 bicycle helmets will be provided to children unable to purchase helmets themselves. OTS will provide additional funding for the printing of traffic safety education materials; and funding for DPS staff to attend the Office of Traffic Safety Summits in order to increase knowledge and techniques related to traffic safety. Staff has engaged in informal discussions with Office of Traffic Safety personnel and has been advised that the proposed program fulfills OTS criteria for grant funding. This grant will assist Dublin Police Services with the City Council's high priority objective of reducing vehicular collisions by 10% at major intersections in the City. Staff recommends that the City Council authorize staffto pursue this grant through the Office of Traffic Safety.