Traffic signals are electronically operated traffic control devices which alternately direct traffic to stop and to proceed. Traffic signals are designed to ensure an orderly flow of traffic, provide an opportunity for pedestrians or vehicles to cross an intersection and help to reduce the number of conflicts between vehicles entering intersections from different directions.

Traffic signals are intended to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic. As the most restrictive form of traffic control, traffic signals are installed only where less restrictive signs or markings do not provide a sufficient level of control. Most intersections would not necessarily be improved or made safer by the installation of a traffic signal. Unnecessary signals cause wasteful and annoying delays to the flow of traffic. They can increase traffic on the side streets as drivers seek alternative routes through neighborhoods. Excessive starting and stopping burns needless amounts of gasoline, resulting in pollution and economic loss. And as previously mentioned, they can increase the total amount of crashes at an intersection.

In Pennsylvania, all traffic signal are owned and operated by the the local municipality.

As indicated in 67 Pa.C.S. §233.5 (Application procedure), a sponsor shall submit a grant application for eligibility in ARLE Grant Program. Sponsors, as defined in 67 Pa.C.S. §233.2 (Definitions}, may include the following: • Local authorities (counties, municipalities, and other loco/ boards or bodies having authority to enact laws relating traffic) • Metropolitan Planning Organizations {MPOs) • Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs) • County planning organizations • Commonwealth agencies

The intent of this program is to fund worthwhile, relatively low- cost projects that improve the safety and mobility of the traveling public. The kinds of eligible projects vary widely from improvements to traffic signals, to roadway improvements at signalized intersections, to school zones, guiderail, and roadside safety. Improvements recommended by LTAP programs such as the Local Safe Roads Communities and Walkable Communities are also eligible. Check out this link for a list of eligible project types.

No, but cost sharing is encouraged. Keep in mind that if costs are shared, those partner funds must be available at the time the ARLE application is submitted.

No, but cost sharing is encouraged. Keep in mind that if costs are shared, those partner funds must be available at the time the ARLE application is submitted.

This varies year by year due to fines levied, but the program has provided between $3 million and $18 million each year.

The number of applications a sponsor may submit is not limited.

Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate o positive impact on safety and mobility. Multi-municipal applications are encouraged and will be given priority.

The selection committee will evaluate applications based upon the following criteria:

• Sponsor's past maintenance and operation history: At what level does the applicant maintain and operate their existing traffic control devices? (Higher level of maintenance scores higher)
• Project Benefits: How does the project improve safety, enhance mobility, reduce congestion, and reduce greenhouse gases? (Higher score for more benefits)
• Project Cost: Is the request within the scope of available funds? Is the project costeffective?
• Previous grant project type result: Does the applicant have a successful track record of completing projects in an efficient and effective manner?
• Previously completed projects by the sponser: Did the applicant receive prior ARLE grant funds? (Higher score for not receiving funds previously.)
• Cost sharing: Are there matching funds from other sources? (Higher score for matching funds.)
• Origination of ARLE Funds: Did the funds originate from the municipality that is applying for the grant? (Higher score if ARLE funds originate from the municipality.)

Grant applications are reviewed by a selection committee identified within Title 75 (Vehicle Code}, Section 3116. The Director of the Center for Program Development and Management, along with the Director of the Highway Safety and Traffic Operations Division of the Bureau of Maintenance and Operations will work with the ARLE Funding selection team to make awards as timely as possible.

The application is a three-page form, mast of which describes the additional information that is to be included with the application form. Generally, requested attachments help the application review team to learn:

• Project justification
• Project location
• Anticipated project implementation schedule if grant is awarded
• Detailed cost estimate
• Any other documents or plans necessary to convey project intent
• Contact information

Applications should only be submitted electronically to the Department as indicated in the Pennsylvania Bulletin announcement (see www.pabulletin.com/index.asp for instructions). If a sponsor has difficulty submitting their application electronically, or needs assistance with the submittal process, please email ARLE@pa.gov

A formal announcement will be placed in the Pennsylvania Bulletin (www.pabulletin.com/index.asp) and materials will be available on PennDOT’s Traffic Signal Website (www.dot.state.pa.us/signals). Announcements will also be communicated through municipal organizations and PennDOT Municipal Services representatives.

PennDOT anticipates that the application timeframe will begin June 1st and remain open until June 30th each year.

The announcement of awards is expected in January of each year.

Sponsors of selected projects are notified by letter, which includes follow- up instructions.

Sponsors of projects that are not selected for a grant are also notified by letter.

Projects can be initiated upon the finalization of an ARLE reimbursement agreement (required for grant award winners) with the Department. Projects must be completed within 3 years from the date of ARLE reimbursement agreement execution. Grant award work cannot be started until an ARLE reimbursement agreement is completed.

Grant awards will be canceled for projects that are not completed within 3 years, but the Department will communicate with sponsors during the project to try to avoid overextensions of scheduling limits.

Additional funds will not be available for cost overruns.

All ARLE grant award projects are considered a local lead project; therefore, a PennDOT ARLE Reimbursement Agreement is required. The PennDOT District Office will prepare the ARLE Reimbursement Agreement and assist the Local Project Sponsor with the execution process.

Municipalities, counties, and planning organizations are eligible applicants. This includes cities, boroughs, and townships with existing signals.

All projects will be led by the applicant unless otherwise specified by PennDOT. All required documentation is specified in the program guidance document which is available from the PennDOT Traffic Signal Portal:www.dot.state.pa.us/signals. The grant funding is distributed on a reimbursement basis (e.g., disbursement occurs once applicant pays contractor and provides documentation of invoices and payment). The grant administration process, including invoice review and payment, is completed utilizing the dotGrants system.

The preapplication scoping form must be completed and submitted to the appropriate PennDOT District at least four weeks prior to submission of an application. In addition, PennDOT highly encourages coordination with the appropriate PennDOT District contact once a scoping form has been completed to discuss the details of the project and to receive PennDOT feedback regarding the application prior to submission. The scoping form must be attached to the electronic grant application.

A minimum 20 percent match is required and most match options are eligible except for Federal, State, or regional funds associated with the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The match may consist of any combination of federal, state, regional, local and private funds, including PennDOT preapproved in-kind contributions such as an exchange of services between the Department and municipality.

Up to $40 million is available each year, subject to annual appropriation by the legislature. For FY 2020-21, it is estimated $10 million will be available for Green Light-Go grants.

Yes. A lead agency must be identified and a letter from each of the participating municipalities must be provided with the application stating that the lead agency may submit the application.

The number of applications per applicant is not limited.

A single application can either include one or more project types for one corridor or a single project type that covers multiple corridors. In other words, multiple corridors may be included in a single application if the same improvement(s) is/are proposed for all corridors.

Only existing traffic signal maintenance and operations improvements are eligible for this program. The purpose of the Green Light-Go Program is to upgrade traffic signals. A limited amount of ancillary work (such as ADA curb ramps or roadway improvements) may be included, but the majority of the project cost must be related to the traffic signal upgrade. Please see the guidance document for additional information.

Eligible projects include replacement of incandescent traffic signal bulbs with LED traffic signal modules and the upgrade from an earlier generation to a newer generation of LED traffic signal modules. Street lighting upgrades are only considered for luminaries on traffic signal structural supports.

Priority will be given to projects that improve safety, enhance mobility and reduce congestion. Multi-municipal applications are encouraged and will be given priority. For additional guidance, please see the program guidelines.

In-kind services will only be accepted if the services can be clearly identified, documented, and a letter of commitment is submitted with the application. Completion of the PennDOT In-Kind Contribution Documentation Form is required when submitting an invoice to receive municipal match credit for in-kind services activities.

No, there is no set award ceiling per project, but the funding program is competitive in nature. Applicants should decide on a project cost that they feel is competitive knowing funding for all eligible projects is capped.

No, only traffic control signals are eligible. Traffic control signals are those which alternately regulate traffic between stop-and-go conditions. Other types of electronically-powered traffic signals are flashing warning devices and are not eligible.

In order to demonstrate a project meets the eligibility requirements, existing asset information for the traffic signal(s) to be upgraded shall be up to date within PennDOT’s Traffic Signal Asset Management System (TSAMS), which can be accessed via www.tsams.penndot.gov and is available for free to all municipalities. Registration information is available on the TSAMS website. PennDOT completed a statewide data collection inventory for traffic signals on state roadways in 2016, but the data collection was limited to equipment present at the time of the inventory and doesn’t identify the age or condition of equipment. Additional information in TSAMS is required to justify the upgrades proposed under Green Light-Go projects, as indicated in the following table:

Project Type	Installation Date1,2	Component Type2	Manufacturer & Model2	Traffic Signal Systems3	Latest Permit Revision Date
LED Replacement	X	X
Traffic Signal Retiming					X
Study and Removal of Unwarranted Traffic-Control Signals					X
Monitoring			X4,5	X
Innovative Technologies			X4,5	X
Communications			X4,5	X
Connections back to TMC			X4	X
Detection and/or Controller Upgrades	X	X	X2
Modernization Upgrades	X
ITS Applications

¹Installation date may be approximated if the exact date is unknown.

²Current information required for component(s) to be upgraded and/or replaced.

³Traffic signal systems shall include connections between signals and the type of communication.

⁴Manufacturer & model information for controller (timer) unit required.

⁵Manufacturer & model information for vehicle detection component(s) required.

Information updated in TSAMS does not need to be attached to the application. TSAMS is the statewide asset management system for traffic signals. By entering information about existing traffic signal equipment in TSAMS, the data is available for other uses without requiring it to be reentered in multiple locations.

For more information on TSAMS requirements, refer to www.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/BOMO/Portal/GLG_TSAMS_Instructions.pdf

Applications may only be submitted electronically to the Department as indicated in the Pennsylvania Bulletin announcement. Hard-copy submissions will not be accepted. If someone is either having issues submitting or needs assistance, pleaseemail GLG@pa.gov.

The Green Light – Go Terms and Conditions are available on PennDOT’s Traffic Signal Website (www.dot.state.pa.us/signals) under the Green Light – Go Program Resource section. These Terms and Conditions are incorporated by reference into the Reimbursement Agreement and must be agreed to prior to submitting an application

The cost estimate should be as detailed as possible and applicants should provide quotes from vendors/contractors if available. A cost estimate guide is now provided on the Green Light-Go Program page to better assist with project estimates.

The application timeframe will begin October 21, 2019 and remain open until January 10, 2020.

Previous work completed cannot be submitted for reimbursement, it can be used only for match. Work completed prior to the effective date of the reimbursement agreement is not eligible for reimbursement

The match must be available when accepting the project award.

Green Light-Go projects must comply the act of August 15, 1961 (P.L.987, No.442), known as the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act if the project is considered a “public work.” Generally, construction, demolition, alteration and repair work, other than maintenance work, done under contract and paid for in whole or in part out of the funds of a public body with an estimated cost in excess of $25,000 are considered a public work. Section §9203 of the Vehicle Code (75 Pa.C.S.) increases the threshold to $100,000 for locally funded projects and includes certain types of funding that is considered local funding. Green Light-Go funding is not included in that list, so the normal prevailing wage threshold applies