Bay Area Traffic Incident Management Micro-Grant Pilot
The Bay Area Traffic Incident Management Micro-Grant Pilot (Micro-Grant) aims to improve traffic incident response by local public service departments and improve the Bay Area's coordinated, effective management of incidents and unforeseen events.
The application period for the grant is now closed.
The Bay Area Traffic Incident Management Micro-Grant Pilot (Micro-Grant) will provide targeted funding to empower local agencies in acquiring necessary training, equipment and technology to enhance their ability to respond to and clear traffic incidents quickly and safely.
Background
The Bay Area Incident Management Task Force (IMTF) is a collaborative effort across transportation agencies, comprised of MTC, the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP), among others.
The IMTF is managing Traffic Incident Management (TIM) in the Bay Area, which is the planned and coordinated multi-disciplinary process to detect, respond to and clear traffic incidents so that traffic flow can be restored as safely and efficiently as possible.
The creation of this Micro-Grant pilot originates from the Bay Area Five-Year Strategic Plan for Effective Traffic Incident Management (2024 to 2028) Strategic Plan, which highlights the importance of fostering partnerships and improving TIM practices to achieve greater regional safety. By aligning with the Strategic Plan's goals and objectives, the Micro-Grant pilot seeks to enhance the overall effectiveness of TIM efforts, support regional priorities and ultimately contribute to the reduction of traffic fatalities, serious injuries and secondary crashes.
Staff Contact
Email: TIMBayArea@BayAreaMetro.gov
Micro-Grant Program Details
Program Timeline
Below is the timeline for the Bay Area Traffic Incident Management Micro-Grant Pilot program.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Period | October 27 to November 21, 2025 |
| Application Webinar | November 6, 2025 at 12 p.m. |
| Deadline to Request Technical Assistance | November 7, 2025 at 5 p.m. |
| Applications Due | November 21, 2025 at 5 p.m. |
| Review Period | Week of December 1, 2025 |
| Committee Approval | Tentatively March 13, 2026 (Regional Network Management Committee) |
| Contract Executions | March to April 2026 |
| Projects Start | April 2026 |
| Projects End | April 2027 |
| Final Report Due | May 2027 |
Eligible Applicants
- Fire departments/emergency medical services
- Local law enforcement
- Coroner/sheriff
- Tow operators who participate in an MTC- or CHP-sponsored program
- Local agency public works departments
- County transportation authorities
- Other public service departments involved in TIM or roadway safety
Eligible Projects
- Training, outreach and educational programs related to TIM (e.g. full-scale incident simulations, coordination and communication improvement initiatives, specialized scenario/equipment training)
- Technology and equipment enhancements for TIM (e.g., drones, vehicle lighting upgrades, fire suppression tools for EV fires, hazmat containment materials, extrication tools, cone and barrel deployment kits)
- Operational enhancements for TIM (e.g., personnel expansion via contract workers or temporary hires, additional equipment for agencies, message boards, traffic monitoring technology)
- Evaluating, revising, and adopting new TIM-related procedures and policies and/or revisions
- Using data and performance measures to determine better uses of technology and procedural improvements
- Other innovative projects that demonstrably improve TIM capabilities and/or roadway safety for responders and/or the motoring public
Grant Amounts & Funding Period
- Funding range: $5,000 to $100,000
- Total budget: $500,000
- Funding period: Projects must be completed within six to 12 months of grant approval, depending on type
Application Process
Applications for the TIM micr-grant pilot are now closed.
- Optional Application Workshop
- Informational webinar (on November 6, 2025 at 12 p.m.) hosted by the grant pilot committee to understand the program’s goals and application process.
- Application Submission (Application Period Now Closed)
- Complete the online application form available on the grant pilot’s website.
- Submit the project application and all necessary supporting documents.
- Ensure the application is submitted by the deadline.
- Review and Evaluation
- Applications will be reviewed by a panel of IMTF representatives
- Evaluation will focus on the alignment with TIM goals, feasibility, and potential impact.
- Applicants may be contacted for additional information or clarification.
- Grant Pilot Awards Announcement
- Micro-grant award finalists will be notified via email in mid-January 2026.
- Awardees will be finalized at the Regional Network Management Committee (tentatively scheduled for March 13, 2026).
- Project Implementation and Reporting
- Awardees must commence their projects within 1 month of receiving funds.
- Quarterly progress reports must be submitted, outlining the project’s status, expenditures, and any challenges encountered.
- Awardees must attend the quarterly IMTF meetings and present project updates.
- A final report is required at the project’s completion, including an evaluation of whether the project’s objectives were met.