Mohave County, competing on a highly competitive national basis, has just been awarded a $1 million grant to “deploy 50 vehicle-to- infrastructure traffic control sign systems through rural areas of the county.” What’s especially amazing is the county comprised less than 15% of applicants who received an ATTAIN grant.
Public Works Director Steve Latoski said, “Our application was particularly convincing to the selection panel.”
It began this way. At its November 7, 2022 meeting, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Public Works Director to make application submittal to the United States Department of Transportation for $1 million in Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) Program funds with $250,000 or 20% County Highway User Revenue Fund match to install at least fifty (50) STOP and/or curve warning signs on high-speed rural County highways equipped with cellular-to-vehicle communications technology enabling in-vehicle driver warning and violation alert.
Latoski was elated at receiving the award, saying, “We got the grant. This is incredible being we competed on a national level for federal funds that we subject to competition and discretionary award.” He then added, “Our tact in pursuing the grant funds focused on installing at least fifty (50) STOP and/or curve warning signs on high-speed rural county highways equipped with cellular-to-vehicle communications technology enabling approaching connected vehicles to facilitate in-vehicle driver warning and violation alert of impending STOP control and curve advisory including speed. The early emergence and steady growth of connected vehicles on county highways drive this Project reducing traffic fatalities and injuries.
The Western Arizona Council of Governments Strategic Transportation Safety Plan finds 10,625 crashes occurred on roads through unincorporated areas of Mohave County with lane departure crashes the dominant type for fatal and injury crashes. Lane departure crashes – which Vehicle- to-Infrastructure (V2I) curve warning and advisory speed signs address – represent both a local and Arizona crash emphasis area.
This Project aims to reduce frequency and severity of traffic crashes and an increase in driver, passenger, and pedestrian safety and deliver economic benefits by reducing delays, improving system performance and throughput, and providing for the safe, efficient, and reliable movement of people, goods, and services. It further accelerates deployment of advanced technologies in rural areas such as Mohave County. It responds to a focus area of the ATTAIN grant in addressing the disproportionately high fatality rates on our rural transportation infrastructure.
