Intent of program
The intent of the Traffic Safety Improvement Program is to distribute funds for roadway safety improvements, traffic control devices, studies, and outreach. TSIP is defined by section 761, Chapter 164, of the Iowa Administrative Code. TSIP provides safety funds to cities, counties and the Iowa DOT in three separate categories.
Eligibility
Any jurisdiction in the state of Iowa, as defined in section 761, Chapter 164, is eligible to apply for traffic safety improvement program funding.
FY 2026 Applications for Consideration
FY 2026 Approved Projects/Funding Amounts
Qualifications for funding
Applications may be submitted for one of three categories.
- Site-specific - construction or improvement of traffic safety and operations at a specific site or corridor with a crash history
- Traffic control devices - purchase of materials for installation of new traffic control devices, such as signs, signals or pavement markings; or replacement of obsolete signs or signals
- Studies and Outreach – transportation safety studies and outreach, such as signing or pavement marking research, driver education/information, work zone safety, and crash data analysis improvements.
Maximum funding
TSIP awards cannot exceed $500,000 per project.
Type of approval required
Applications are reviewed by an internal/external committee of representatives from cities, counties and the Iowa DOT. Recommendations are then made to the Iowa Transportation Commission, which then approves funding of specific projects.
- Site-specific projects are evaluated by benefit/cost ratio analysis and other criteria.
- Funding for traffic control devices is awarded considering the safety benefits of eligible applications, annual funding level and other criteria.
- Funding for studies and outreach is awarded considering their relationship to safety, annual funding level and other criteria.
Program’s annual funding level
One half of one percent (0.5 percent) of Iowa’s Road Use Tax Fund.
- $500,000 per year for traffic control device projects
- $500,000 per year for research, studies and public information initiatives
- Remainder available for site-specific projects (Amount varies by year - historically the amount ranges between $5 and $6 million per year.)
Important dates
Notice of approval for FY 2026 projects will be sent by January 15, 2025. Pending agreement execution, FY 2026 funds will be available July 1, 2025.
Applications for the FY 2027 funding cycle are due no later than August 15, 2025.
Where to send applications
Site Specific and Traffic Control Device applications shall be submitted electronically (as a clear and legible .pdf) to
DOT-TSIP@iowadot.us
Safety Study applications shall be submitted electronically through the Iowa DOT Research portal.
Safety Study applications submitted through the Iowa DOT Research portal may select Traffic Safety under the Idea Category dropdown of the application page.
For questions please email:
DOT-TSIP@iowadot.us
FORMS AND LINKS – TSIP Application Instructions
- TSIP Electronic Application Forms (Rev. July 2023) - Fillable application forms for the cover page and Application Certification:
- Benefit Cost Ratio Worksheet (Rev. June 2022) - Includes CRF Method and Predictive Method for both roadway segments and intersections/spot locations. Instructions are on the first sheet.
Updated: Crash reduction factors (CRFs) should be obtained from the Iowa DOT’s Planning-Level CRF List. For countermeasures that are not listed or are not applicable, CRFs may be obtained from the Crash Modification Factors Clearinghouse website, www.cmfclearinghouse.org.
- ICAT – Crash report summaries should be completed through the Iowa Crash Analysis Tool.
For information about other funding sources, see the Iowa DOT Funding Guide.