2025 Cycle 3 TDM Program Call for Projects
1 2025 Cycle 3 Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
Program Call for Projects
Where can obtain information about the Call for Projects (CFP)? All materials include the ACR/TDM CFP guidelines are available online at:
https://www.smcta.com/whats-happening/call-projects
Whom can I contact if I have any questions about the application? Please contact Sue-Ellen Atkinson at [email protected] if you have questions while completing the application form. This will save time and follow-up efforts with applicants for the Evaluation Committee.
What is the application due date?
Complete applications are due electronically on August 1, 2025 by 4:00 PM (PST). Late submissions will not be accepted.
How do I schedule an optional pre-submittal meeting and receive an application upload link? Please fill out the Notice of Intent to Submit Survey
for each individual proposed application. The pre-submittal meetings are required if you wish to use the equity-based reduced match requirement or would like to request TA Technical Assistance staff and consultant support to implement a project. The survey will allow you to request a 30-minute meeting and will be your opportunity to review project/program/plan eligibility and location, confirm matching eligibility (standard or equity-based), and provide the information necessary to receive Drobox upload link to folder specifically for your project information. The survey must be filled out by July 1st to request the optional pre-submittal meeting or by July 31st to receive a Dropbox upload link. After that date, please email Sue- Ellen Atkinson directly.
What attachments are required to be submitted along with the application? Please the TDM CFP Guidelines document for a full description of each attachment below:
A. Cover Letter
B. Governing Board Resolution
C. Letters of Support/Community Engagement Documentation D. Cost Estimates
E. Photos and Other Documentation (if applicable)
Definitions:
• Project: A “project” refers to any eligible plan, infrastructure, or programmatic request. • Scope: The specific phase or elements for which Measure A & W funds are being requested in this application/cycle. The project scope may be a subset of the overall project. • Sponsor: The applicant for Measure A & W funds (see the guidelines for more details). • Implementing Agency: Any third party that may be implementing, constructing, and operating a project on a Sponsor Agency’s behalf.
Application User Notes:
• Limit responses to the available text boxes. Any text not shown will not be counted. • To add a new paragraph in the text boxes, please use “Shift + Enter.” • To copy and paste into a form field, use “Ctrl + V” (right clicking with the mouse will not work). 2025 Cycl
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2 GENERAL INFORMATION
Project Title:
Pr
oject Type:
☐ Plan (e.g. TDM Plan, Climate Action Plan, Municipal code update, etc.) ☐ Program (e.g. subsidies, educational promotion, etc.) ☐ Project (e.g. pedestrian/bike crossing, network gap closure, wayfinding, charging stations, etc.) Project Scale: Please identify the geographic extent of the project:
☐ Countywide (such as projects conducted for multiple jurisdictions) ☐ City-wide (such as for projects that are not tied to a specific location for a jurisdiction) ☐ Area-wide (such as a neighborhood or district)
☐ Singular site/Spot treatment (such as a targeted development or an infrastructure project) Project Location: Please describe the geographic extent of the project in two to three sentences.
Pr
oject Scope: Please describe the project elements and intended benefits in one succinct paragraph.
Safe Routes to School: RRFB Installation for High-Priority Uncontrolled Crosswalks The project targets five high-risk, uncontrolled crosswalks adjacent to three public schools in the City of Foster City. These sites were identified by the San Mateo-Foster City School District in collaboration with the City of Foster City as priorities due to high student pedestrian volumes and the absence of traffic control devices.
This project proposes to install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at five uncontrolled crosswalks near Audubon Elementary (2), Bowditch Middle School (2), and Brewer Island Elementary (1). The goal is to enhance pedestrian safety for over 2,300 students and their families by improving visibility and increasing driver yield rates at school crossings. RRFBs are a FHWA-proven safety countermeasure shown to increase motorist yielding up to 98% and reduce pedestrian crashes by up to 47%.
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3 S
ponsor Agency:
S
ponsor Agency Address:
P
rimary Sponsor Contact Name:
P
rimary Sponsor Contact Title:
P
rimary Sponsor Contact E-mail:
P
rimary Sponsor Contact Phone:
Will your project be implemented by another entity or agency? ☐Yes ☐No If you selected yes above, please fill out the Implementing Agency information below.
Implementing Agency:
Im
plementing Agency Address:
Im
plementing Agency Contact Name:
Im
plementing Agency Contact Title:
Im
plementing Agency Contact E-mail:
Im
plementing Agency Contact Phone:
P
lease describe the Implementing Agency’s roles and responsibilities:
City of Foster City
610 Foster City Blvd. Foster City, CA 94404
Stefan Chatwin
City Manager
[email protected]
650-286-3200
San Mateo Foster City School District
1410 S. Amphlett Blvd San Mateo CA 94402
Dr. Ryan Haven
Director of Administrative Services
[email protected]
650-312-7372
The San Mateo-Foster City School District will oversee community engagement, identify and monitor school-based pedestrian traffic, and manage contractor procurement and construction.
The City will provide support on permitting, site inspection, and review of construction documents. 2025 C
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4 P
roject Schedule:
For infrastructure projects, please include any applicable PLAN, PA/ED, and PS&E periods and the expected construction period. For programmatic and planning projects, please list the expected period of performance in PLAN.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
Indicate the anticipated beginning and end date for each phase of the project. • If a phase is not applicable for this application, write “N/A”. • If the PS&E phase is currently underway at the time the application is submitted, indicate the percent complete to date: 35%, 65%, or 90%.
Phase
Month and Year
Phase
Start
Phase
End
Pre-Project Planning (PLAN)
Project Approval (PA) & Environmental Document (ED)
%
Current
Percent
Complete
Plans, Specifications & Estimates
(PS&E)
ROW Acquisition and Utilities Coordination
Construction and Procurement
Oct 2025
Dec 2025
Jan 2026
March 2026
Apr 2026
June 2026
Jan 2026
June 2026
July 2026
Dec 2026
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5 ACR/TDM ELIGIBILITY
Program Classification: Please select one or more of the following classifications below to help determine which TDM funding sub-categories the proposed project may be eligible under. ☐ Network Efficiency – projects and programs that are intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and transit r
elated
☐ Congestion and Demand Relief – projects, plans, and programs that are intended to encourage behavior shifts
☐ Sustainable Transportation Modes – projects and programs that are bicycle and pedestrian related (
separate from projects that qualify under the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program).
Pre-submittal meeting with TA staff: Meeting occurred on (MM/DD/YYYY) H
ighway Nexus: Please indicate how your project may reduce congestion or vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on the highway system, including any specific highways the project may affect. To be eligible for Measure W competitive funding, your project type must be listed in Attachment A of the ACR/TDM Guidelines under the Measure W column. If your project type is not listed under that column, please also provide an alternative source and explanation that supports consideration as a highway congestion relief or VMT reduction strategy.
This project improves pedestrian crossings along arterial and collector streets that feed into major corridors such as US-101 and SR-92. By improving walkability around schools, this initiative encourages walking over vehicle drop-offs, helping reduce VMT and congestion on local roadways and regional highways during peak school commute hours. 2025 C
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6 Funding Leverage
Match Requirement: Please select minimum match amount needed and percent match provided. Note that equity match must be pre-approved in consultation with TA staff during the pre-submittal meeting. ☐ Standard Match (minimum of 10% required)
☐ R
educed Equity Match (minimum 5% required)
P
roject Cost:
TDM Funding Request $
Matching Funds Provided $
Unfunded Amount $
Total Project Cost $
Match sources: Please identify sources for match funds and percentage of the total request.
Type of Match Amount Percentage of ACR/TDM Request
Local (General Fund, etc.) $ %
Private (Developer Fees or
Business donation) $ %
Other $ %
Total $ %
Projects will receive additional points for providing matching funds beyond the minimum percentage required as well as for having private sector contribution.
Funding or
Implementation Concerns: Discuss any potential funding shortfalls or implementation risks associated with the project. If you show any unfunded amount in the Project Cost table, please list how the project will be fully funded within one year of an award. 360,000
40,000
400,000
40,000
10 0
0 0
0 40,000
10 There are no anticipated shortfalls.
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7 NEED
The N
eed section will assess how the proposed project aligns with the five goals of the TDM Program. Please note that the equity goal has been included in its own section later in the application. Each goal includes a qualitative response to be filled in by the applicant and a quantitative score that will be filled in the TA based on the project type and location. Please limit responses to approximately two to three paragraphs maximum.
Goal 1: Provide Congestion Relief
Qualitative: Please explain how your project provides congestion relief or reduces VMT.
Q
uantitative (TA to fill in): Vehicles Miles Traveled (VMT) Density Score • Raw Calculation:
• P
ercentile Score:
This project provides congestion relief and reduces vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by making it safer and more attractive for students and families to walk to and from school rather than relying on vehicle drop-offs. Each of the targeted schools—Audubon Elementary, Bowditch Middle School, and Brewer Island Elementary—experiences significant peak-hour congestion due to private vehicle traffic.
These areas lack traffic-calming features at key crossing points, making walking a less viable option for many families. By enhancing these crossings with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), the project encourages a modal shift from driving to walking. This shift can reduce localized traffic congestion around schools, improve air quality, and alleviate pressure on major corridors such as US-101 and SR-92, which are often impacted by school commute traffic. Moreover, enabling safer walking routes helps reduce the number of short car trips, which disproportionately contribute to overall congestion and emissions.
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8 Goal 2: Increase Sustainable Transportation Options
Qualitative: Please explain how your project will create incentives for people taking transit, bicycling, walking, carpooling, and/or using other shared-ride options over solo driving trips? Q
uantitative (TA to fill in): Active Trip Potential & Proximity to High Quality Transit Composite Score • Raw Calculation:
• P
ercentile Score:
This project creates strong incentives for walking—a sustainable and zero-emission mode of transportation—by improving pedestrian infrastructure in areas of high need. The installation of RRFBs at five high-use, uncontrolled school crosswalks enhances pedestrian visibility and safety, making it more likely that families will feel comfortable allowing children to walk to school.
The project specifically targets school zones where pedestrian traffic is heavy and where families currently default to car travel due to safety concerns. Improved crossings will enable more consistent walking habits among students, staff, and families. In the long term, this infrastructure supports a culture of active transportation, particularly for communities where walking is a preferred or necessary mode due to economic or physical constraints.
2025 Cycle 3 TDM Program Call for Projects
9 Goal 3: Promote Sustainability & Health
Qualitative: Please explain how your project will enhance health or safety.
Quantitative (TA to fill in): Pollution Burden and Cardiovascular Disease Composite Score • Raw Calculation:
• Percentile Score:
By promoting walking, this project contributes directly to improved public health outcomes and environmental sustainability. Encouraging students to walk to school increases their physical activity, which can combat rising rates of childhood obesity and associated chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, reductions in vehicular traffic near school zones improve air quality, directly benefiting children who are particularly vulnerable to respiratory conditions like asthma.
From a sustainability perspective, this project reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with short car trips—especially those clustered around school start and end times. Safer crossings can also reduce the need for busing or parent-driven trips, especially in schools that serve walkable neighborhoods but lack sufficient pedestrian safety infrastructure.
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10 Goal 4: Encourage Economic Development Opportunities Q
ualitative: Please explain how your project improves access to employment, job centers, business districts, or retail opportunities.
Q
uantitative (TA to fill in): Priority Development Areas (PDA) Score • Raw Calculation:
• P
ercentile Score:
Safe and accessible pedestrian infrastructure supports broader economic development by improving access to educational institutions, employment centers, and local commercial zones. Improving pedestrian safety in these areas strengthens the accessibility of nearby services and promotes a more livable, walkable city environment.
In addition, the enhanced infrastructure signals a broader investment in neighborhood livability and equity, which can attract new families, stabilize property values, and enhance the appeal of local businesses. These outcomes create a reinforcing cycle of investment and access for the community.
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11 EFFECTIVENESS
Effectiveness will address how the project will demonstrate success and track that over time. Recognizing the wide variation of eligible project types, applicants will give a proposal depending on the strategy/project applied.
H
ow do you propose to evaluate the success of the project? What outcomes does the project aim to achieve? What metrics do you propose to deploy to track the project’s objectives that could include Vehicle Miles Traveled reductions or Greenhouse Gas reductions? Please propose metrics that can be tracked (e.g. number of transit passes distributed in equity communities, construction of the scope of work within schedule, etc.).
Is this project identified in a local, countywide or regional planning document? If so, please describe below and include if project is listed in a TDM plan and/or is listed as a high priority.
D
escribe how the project will provide a level of benefit in line with the amount of funding requested (i.e. “Bang for the buck”). High-cost projects should discuss safety and mobility benefits that cannot be accomplished by less expensive solutions or life cycle cost savings due to reduced maintenance/operations costs
The success of this project will be evaluated through both quantitative and qualitative metrics. Key outcomes include increased motorist yielding rates, higher pedestrian volumes, and reduced parent vehicle drop-offs near schools.
Metrics will be collected pre- and post-installation to measure impact.
Proposed metrics:
Motorist yielding rate at each treated crosswalk (measured through observational studies).
Counts of students walking and biking to school, collected through Safe Routes to School surveys.
Parent-reported comfort and perception of student safety (via school community feedback forms).
Reductions in vehicle traffic volumes and queuing during morning and afternoon peak periods, measured through traffic counts.
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12 This $360,000 investment addresses an urgent safety need across three schools serving over 2,300 students daily. Compared to traditional signalization or crossing guard programs, RRFBs are cost-effective solutions that offer measurable safety benefits with minimal operational or maintenance requirements.
Proven impact: RRFBs are a FHWA-designated Proven Safety Countermeasure, with motorist yielding rates as high as 98% and crash reductions up to 47%.
Strategic deployment: The selected locations were prioritized for maximum impact based on traffic volumes, crossing exposure, and equity considerations.
Life-cycle savings: Solar-powered RRFBs reduce long-term maintenance and electrical costs compared to hardwired signals.
Scalability: The project can serve as a model for districtwide safety improvements, supporting future expansion with minimal added cost.
Ultimately, the benefits of improved safety, reduced congestion, and enhanced mobility access for vulnerable populations far outweigh the project cost, making it a highly effective use of TDM funds.
2025 Cycle 3 TDM Program Call for Projects
13 EQUITY
Equity can be complicated first by how to define it as well as who is included and who is not. Transportation equity for this application is measured two ways: location-based and user-based equity. Location-based estimates focus on populations, benefits and costs by geography, typically using concentration approach at the census tract level. The TA grants analysis tool will auto-calculate the location-based score and will be filled in by TA staff. A user-based approach starts with the recognition that not everyone can use the system the same way.
Target groups using this type of analysis may include older adults and people with disabilities or low-income households (who may or may not live in an area of high concentration of low-income households).
Location-based: Quantitative Score (TA to Fill In)
What percent of your project’s geographic extent falls within SamTrans Equity Indicators tract compared with all other submitted projects? The SamTrans Equity Zone applies to tracts with the lowest two quartiles of the Transit Equity Index. Projects will also list if they affect MTC Equity Priority Communities (EPC). • MTC Equity Priority Community – Yes ☐ No☐
• Raw Calculation:
• Percentile Score:
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14 User-based: Equity can cover a spectrum of needs and evaluated several ways. Three equity framings are provided below. Please describe how the project considers equity under at least one user-based framings below. Bonus points may be given for consider more than framing.
1. Progressive with respect to income - This reflects whether a strategy increases Transportation Affordability and makes lower-income households better or worse off.
2. Benefits transportation disadvantaged - This reflects whether a strategy makes people who are tr
ansportation disadvantaged (which could include among other low-income households, people with di
sabilities, older adults, non-traditional shift workers, or other vulnerable populations) better off by increasing their travel options or providing financial savings.
3. Improves Basic Access - This reflects whether a strategy favors more important transport (emergency response, commuting, and essential shopping) over less important transport.
4. Other
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15 Are there potential negative impacts of the project for historically marginalized communities? If so, do you plan for any mitigations of these impacts?
User-Based Framing:
This project strongly benefits transportation-disadvantaged populations by making essential school routes safer for families who may not own vehicles. Many students within the San Mateo-Foster City School District come from low- to moderate-income households, including English Learners, recent immigrants, and students with disabilities. For these families, walking is often the only feasible transportation option. RRFB installation will empower these students to walk safely, increasing their access to education and reducing absenteeism caused by transportation challenges.
The project also improves basic access by prioritizing pedestrian travel for essential activities like schooling, over non-essential vehicular traffic. By investing in infrastructure where it is most needed, the project promotes equitable access to safe mobility and supports the success of historically marginalized communities.
Community Engagement:
This project is grounded in extensive community input from parents, school site councils, and district leadership. School principals and Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) have raised concerns about student safety at the proposed crossing locations for several years. These concerns have been echoed by crossing guards, teachers, and public safety officers. As part of its School Safety and Wellness planning, the San Mateo-Foster City School District is partnering with the City of Foster City to identify specific locations where infrastructure improvements would have the greatest impact.
Letters of support are being secured from parent groups, site leaders, and community-based organizations advocating for pedestrian safety and equitable school access. Future outreach will include bilingual engagement materials and walkthroughs with school communities to ensure the final installation meets student needs.
2025 Cycle 3 TDM Program Call for Projects
16 Please describe the community support and any prior community engagement that has occurred in support of this project. Identify the types of groups included in the process. For planning projects, please describe the types of engagements proposed to be included and any targeted groups or community-based organizations that may be included.
No, there are no potential negative impacts of the project for historically marginalized communities.
While this project has been prioritized based on input from school principals, crossing guards, and operational staff over the past several years, the San Mateo-Foster City School District will engage in targeted community input sessions from August through October 2025 to further shape final design and implementation.
Each of the three school sites—Audubon Elementary, Bowditch Middle School, Brewer Island Elementary—will host evening family engagement meetings during this period. These meetings will include:
A presentation of the proposed RRFB locations,
Visualizations of expected improvements,
Interactive Q&A with City and District staff,
And the opportunity for families to provide feedback through surveys, discussion, and small group input.
Flyers, newsletters, and school messaging platforms (ParentSquare) will be used to promote participation.
Translation will be provided in Spanish and other relevant languages. Additionally, student safety patrol leaders and teachers will be invited to give input on usage patterns and optimal placement. The City of Foster City and SMFCSD are committed to authentic two-way dialogue, and any design or construction changes based on this input will be documented and shared with the community before final project approval. 2025 Cycl
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17 BONUS POINTS
1. TDM
Plans
The TA is looking to promote the creation and adoption of TDM-related plans that help provide a guidance on efforts local agencies could be leading. To encourage the development of these, the TA is offering five (5) bonus points for agencies that either propose a TDM plan. If the project sponsor already has a TDM plan in place, the bonus will be provided to the
project. Please describe the types of elements included in the TDM Plan and provide a link.
2. Commute.org San Mateo County TDM Workshop Participation The TA will award three (3) bonus points to applicants who attended or had a representative attend Commute.org’s February 25, 2025 San Mateo County TDM Workshop.
Di
d the applicant attend the TDM Workshop?
☐ Yes
☐ No
Yes. While the City of Foster City does not currently have a standalone Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan, this project is consistent with the intent of the City of Foster City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (currently under development), which includes safety improvements near schools, and pedestrian infrastructure priorities. Additionally, the San Mateo-Foster City School District’s Safe Routes to School framework promotes walking and biking as primary school commute strategies and guides site-level interventions for improving student safety and reducing vehicle dependence.
Together, these plans establish a policy and programmatic framework equivalent to a TDM strategy for the schools and streets targeted in this application.