Section 233.8. Grant selection process and criteria

(a) Consideration. Following the closing date for receipt of applications, properly completed applications filed within the application period will be considered for grants to be awarded during the current calendar year.

(b) Additional information. If it is determined that an application is incomplete and that additional information is necessary, the sponsor shall provide that additional information to allow further consideration of the application.

(c) Review by Director. The Director will review and evaluate applications with respect to applicable criteria for project funding, available funds, and current priorities for traffic safety and mobility.

(d) Criteria used in review. In considering an application, the Director will give weight and consideration to the following criteria:

(1) The sponsor’s past maintenance and operational history for traffic-control signals, official traffic-control devices, or other items of work that are project components.

(2) The anticipated benefits of the project considering traffic safety benefits, mobility benefits and delay reduction, energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions.

(3) The estimated cost of the project.

(4) The local and regional impact of the project.

(5) The results of similar types of projects that have already been completed.

(6) The results of previous projects completed by the sponsor.

(7) Cost sharing by sponsor or other entities.

(8) Other Department traffic safety and mobility priorities.

(e) Discretion in evaluation. In consideration of the various criteria applicable to the review of an application, the Department may take into account unique or special factors that may arise in the administration of the grant program.

(f) Debriefing. At the request of a sponsor, the Department will conduct a debriefing with a sponsor whose application has been denied.

(g) Distribution of grant funding. Distribution of grant funding will be as follows:

(1) Fifty percent of the grant revenues generated through an automated red light enforcement program will be used exclusively for funding of transportation enhancement grants in the local government entity in which the violation was prosecuted.

(2) The remaining 50% of the grant revenues generated through the automated red light enforcement program will be available for funding of transportation enhancement grants to eligible sponsors throughout this Commonwealth.