Transportation
We are a resource for projects aimed at improving road conditions, road reclassification, and regional traffic safety.
Technical Services
Traffic Counts
Region 3-A conducts an annual traffic count program across key corridors in our six-county region. The resulting Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) data assists with road classification, development impact assessments, safety evaluations, and grant applications. This count data is provided to member communities at no cost. Our services cover functional class, non-state-owned, and state-owned traffic counts, including those completed under contract. Additionally, we offer traffic count services for private businesses and individuals seeking insights into potential project areas.
Traffic count data consists of recorded information about vehicle movement within a designated location. This information plays a critical role in evaluating transportation requirements, assessing system performance, and guiding planning and programming decisions.
The State has contracted with an outside business to provide a website to view the traffic counts from the data collection network: INDOT Traffic Count Database System. If you have questions or need traffic counts that are not listed on the interactive map, please call (260) 347-4714 or email dgee@region3a.org.
Sample Data
2024 AADT: Selected Locations
Technical Services
Accident Studies
Using INDOT crash data, Region 3-A conducts corridor and intersection accident studies across two counties each year. These analyses locate high-frequency crash sites, evaluate contributing factors, and suggest targeted countermeasures. The resulting data is vital for securing road safety grants and providing justification for improvement projects. These studies directly support funding and updates that span from basic safety enhancements and signage to major roadway improvements.
Eligibility
- Member county highway departments and municipalities
- Locations with documented crash history over a three-year period
- Corridors under consideration for safety improvement projects
- Projects requiring accident analysis for grant applications
How It Works
Accident studies track and analyze regional crash patterns to uncover opportunities for enhancing roadway safety. These comprehensive assessments typically encompass data collection, crash report analysis, trend mapping, and reporting findings.
Technical Services
Traffic Impact Reports
New development projects can substantially influence the safety and traffic capacity of surrounding corridors. By conducting Traffic Impact Reports (TIRs), technical analyses assess traffic-related safety issues and operational challenges linked to specific developments. These reports evaluate how a project affects the safety and efficiency of neighboring roadways while determining appropriate mitigation strategies. Region 3-A prepares and reviews TIRs to support member communities as they evaluate development applications.
Eligibility
- Proposed developments above thresholds set by local ordinance
- Projects requiring state access permit from INDOT
- Developments adjacent to collector or arterial roadways
- Rezoning or subdivision approvals with significant traffic implications
How It Works
Preparing a comprehensive traffic impact report (TIR) requires extensive data coordination and analysis to evaluate potential development impacts accurately. Our experienced team possesses deep expertise in assembling and evaluating all necessary traffic data. Region 3-A conducts TIRs for smaller-scale developments and offers peer reviews of applicant-submitted reports. Key components of these evaluations include trip generation estimates, traffic distribution modeling, level-of-service assessments, and the identification of necessary mitigation measures.
Technical Services
Road Safety Audits
A Road Safety Audit (RSA) is an independent, formal evaluation of the safety performance of an existing or proposed roadway or intersection. Conducted by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, RSAs aim to uncover potential safety hazards and recommend targeted solutions to reduce risk. Region 3-A facilitates these audits to enhance local roadway safety and strengthen applications for transportation grant funding.
Eligibility
- Existing roadways and intersections with safety concerns
- Proposed road projects during design phase
- Locations flagged through accident analysis
- Communities preparing SS4A or HSIP grant applications
How It Works
The RSA process adheres to FHWA Road Safety Audit Guidelines, progressing through team assembly, a site visit, a findings report, and a response from the road owner. When a location reaches a specified crash threshold, Region 3-A forms an evaluation team that may comprise engineers, Purdue LTAP, local technical assistance, accounting, and law enforcement. Region 3-A leads the multidisciplinary team, coordinates site visits, and drafts the final findings report. These evaluations generally yield low-cost interventions (such as updated signage or speed bumps) that effectively enhance overall area safety.
Applications & Grants
Road Reclassification
The road classification system in Indiana establishes maintenance responsibilities, design criteria, and eligibility for federal highway funding. When existing classifications no longer reflect actual traffic patterns or usage, communities can submit road reclassification petitions to update them.
Region 3-A supports member communities by preparing reclassification petitions and assembling all required documentation. Updating a road system's classification enables local leadership to assess roadway requirements and establish clear improvement priorities. Because federal funding relies on Federal Aid Classifications, roads must generally be classified as major collectors or higher to qualify for FA3 or FA4 funding. To support these reclassification efforts, Region 3-A conducts all necessary underlying research, including compiling required traffic counts and accident data.
We can assist by providing the following supporting materials:
- Letters of support from local department heads within the city, town, or county
- Maps depicting current or existing street classifications
- Maps illustrating proposed street reclassifications
How It Works
Region 3-A gathers traffic count data, functional classification analysis, mapping documentation, and the full petition package for submission to INDOT. Our team coordinates directly with INDOT's Traffic Engineering division, serving as the community's representative throughout the review and approval stages. Per INDOT guidance, federal legislation relies on functional classification to establish eligibility for Federal-aid program funding. Additionally, Federal Code and Indiana Department of Transportation regulations mandate that a roadway be classified as at least a Major Collector on the National Highway/Federal Aid System to qualify for federal funds. Communities with roadways that are improperly classified based on current traffic patterns and usage may seek reclassification by submitting INDOT's Roadway Functional Classification System application.
Applications & Grants
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)
The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) initiative is a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) grant program dedicated to preventing traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries. Through grants supporting infrastructure improvements, planning efforts, and behavioral and operational strategies, Region 3-A assists municipalities in creating strong applications for both planning and implementation funding to help local communities achieve zero roadway fatalities.
Overview of the SS4A Grant Program
- Safety Action Plan Grants: aid municipalities, particularly small to mid-sized communities, in formulating thorough safety action plans through an accessible application process. After development, these plans integrate smoothly into ongoing transportation planning and roadway asset management systems.
- Implementation Grants: targeted at carrying out the measures established within an action plan, these competitive grants demand comprehensive proposals and a clear strategic vision for improving road safety.
- Key Cost Share Benefit: SS4A grants fund 80% of total project expenses, requiring local communities to contribute just a 20% match, a substantial financial advantage for municipalities seeking to optimize resources while advancing road safety.
How It Works
Region 3-A supports communities through every phase of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) initiative. We guide local governments in building coalitions, analyzing crash data, gathering essential information, and developing comprehensive Road Safety Action Plans. For municipalities with existing Action Plans, we assist in applying for implementation grants to fund infrastructure upgrades, safety education initiatives, and speed management strategies.
Region 3-A has a proven history of assisting local communities, such as Huntington County, in securing SS4A grant funding and establishing effective roadway safety strategies. We are dedicated to expanding these efforts to help additional communities eliminate traffic-related injuries and fatalities.
How we support your community: Action Plan development (creating robust, data-driven safety action plans), grant application guidance (navigating the federal application process for planning and implementation grants), and grant administration (experienced oversight and reporting for awarded grant funds). Our team possesses extensive experience navigating federal funding processes and aligning proposals with U.S. Department of Transportation standards. From initial planning through final report delivery, we streamline the grant lifecycle to help your community maximize its funding potential.
Applications & Grants
Transportation Grant Opportunities
Federal and state transportation funding programs change frequently. Region 3-A monitors grant opportunities relevant to our member communities and alerts local officials to open solicitations. We help communities evaluate eligibility and prepare competitive applications.
Grant Opportunities
Established in 2016, the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program delivers financial assistance to Indiana cities, towns, and counties for local road and bridge enhancements. Operating as a joint initiative between INDOT and local communities, both rural and urban, Community Crossings drives infrastructure investments that spur economic growth, create employment opportunities, and strengthen regional transit networks.
Eligible initiatives include road resurfacing and preservation, bridge replacement or rehabilitation, and road reconstruction incorporating Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. Additionally, material expenses associated with crack filling and chip sealing operations qualify for funding.
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) publishes funding opportunities for Local Public Agencies on its website. Participation in this program requires specific training, including the designation of an Employee in Responsible Charge (ERC), a full-time City, Town, or County employee authorized to approve project modifications. The program operates under an 80/20 funding structure, where the local government provides a 20% match.
The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) offers targeted remediation for six specific crash types, with approved countermeasures outlined in the Indiana Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). Targeted at locations exhibiting disproportionately high rates of fatal and incapacitating injury accidents, the program requires roadway owners to submit a cost-benefit analysis for proposed projects. Eligible remediation measures include upgrading traffic signage, adding backing plates to traffic signals, and installing rumble strips, among other safety countermeasures.
Administered by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program focuses on constructing and enhancing pedestrian sidewalks serving schools. The initiative includes an educational component designed to instruct students in safe walking and bicycling practices. Broad community participation is essential for a competitive application. SRTS has now been integrated into the broader Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).
Need help with a project?
Our team is ready to assist with planning, funding, and project administration.