Grants in Washington State for School Zones Available Now

Apply for school zone walk improvement project grants and law enforcement grants for school zones in Washington state

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) offers grants to keep kids safe when traveling to and from school, and a deadline is approaching for one of these funding opportunities. The WTSC offers three types of grants: School Walk Route Improvement Project Grants, Law Enforcement Equipment Grants for School Zones, and School Zone Crossing Guard Grants. Funding for these grants comes in part from tickets issued in school zones.

School Walk Route Improvement Project Grants

If your project includes flashing yellow lights and signage—including pedestrian actuated beacons, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, and similar devices—you can apply for funding under the School Walk Route Improvement Project Grant. Other eligible activities include safety audits, preliminary engineering studies and designs, as well as walk/bike to school encouragement activities and speed enforcement.

Carmanah products that would qualify include the following:

School zone beacons: Draw driver attention to school zone signs indicating the school zone speeds are in effect.
Rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB): Help alert drivers to pedestrians using crosswalks in a school zone.
Circular crosswalk beacons: Similar to the RRFB, these alert drivers to pedestrians using crosswalks; depending on your jurisdiction, either RRFBs or circular beacons may be specified.

Washington State agencies, federally recognized tribal governments, cities, counties, non-profits, public schools, and more may apply for the funding. The deadline for applying for this year is March 22, 2019, at 5 PM.

Law Enforcement Grants for School Zones

Law enforcement officers in Washington who are actively enforcing traffic safety by writing school zone tickets under RCW 46.61.440 are eligible for grants. Radars, LIDARs, speed feedback signs, and heavy weather gear for those doing motorcycle enforcement are all eligible for funding.

Carmanah products that would qualify include the following:

SpeedCheck radar speed signs: Combine these with school zone beacons to help encourage drivers to self-correct as they enter the school zone.

Reimbursement for law enforcement products is provided after officers submit completed forms and proof of purchase within 60 days of approval.

School Zone Crossing Guard Grants

Reimbursement grants are available every year for public, private, or tribal elementary or middle schools seeking crossing guard equipment. These mini-grants of up to $300 can cover flags, cones, signs, whistles, and more.

While Carmanah Traffic does not offer products that fit into this funding bucket, crossing guards can rest assured that funding is available for school zone improvements in the other grant opportunities listed above to help make their jobs safer and easier, ensuring everyone gets to school safely.

Learn more about who qualifies for each of these programs and how to apply here.