Improving pedestrian safety is a national priority for transportation agencies, municipalities, campuses, airports, hospitals, parking structures, and private facilities. Lighted crosswalk systems, including in-pavement flashing amber LED lights, illuminated signage, and enhanced nighttime visibility treatments, are increasingly recognized as effective safety countermeasures that help reduce pedestrian crashes and improve driver awareness.

Many federal and state grant programs can fund these systems when they are positioned as part of a documented safety strategy. Below is a comprehensive overview of the primary pedestrian enhancement funding sources currently available, followed by direct links to official grant websites.

Federal Pedestrian Safety Grant Programs

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) is a competitive grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation and created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries nationwide.

Lighted crosswalk systems are eligible under SS4A Implementation Grants when they are included in an adopted Safety Action Plan or Vision Zero strategy and address documented pedestrian risk such as nighttime visibility, high-volume crossings, or crash history.

SS4A is best suited for cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations, tribal governments, and regional agencies implementing corridor- or network-level pedestrian safety improvements.

The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is a core federal safety program administered by the Federal Highway Administration that provides formula funding to states for infrastructure projects proven to reduce fatal and serious-injury crashes.

Pedestrian crossing improvements and lighting enhancements are commonly funded through HSIP when supported by crash data, particularly where nighttime conditions, visibility concerns, or severe pedestrian injuries are factors.

HSIP funds are distributed through state departments of transportation, which manage local or statewide calls for safety projects. Lighted crosswalk systems are typically eligible when positioned as pedestrian safety countermeasures with data-driven justification.

Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside funding supports walking, biking, and multimodal transportation projects and is frequently used for crosswalk upgrades, pedestrian access improvements, and visibility enhancements, including lighting when it supports pedestrian mobility and accessibility goals.

Transportation Alternatives funds are distributed through competitive programs administered by state DOTs and metropolitan planning organizations, with application cycles and eligibility criteria varying by location.

The U.S. Department of Transportation also maintains a Competitive Grants Dashboard that allows agencies to track current and upcoming federal grant opportunities related to safety, multimodal transportation, and infrastructure investment. This tool is especially useful for monitoring SS4A and other discretionary programs that may support pedestrian safety improvements.

State-Level Pedestrian Enhancement Funding

While program names vary by state, every state offers pedestrian safety funding through two consistent channels.

First, state-administered Highway Safety Improvement Program and local safety programs. Most state DOTs manage HSIP solicitations, local road safety programs, or local safety improvement initiatives that routinely fund pedestrian crossings, lighting, and visibility improvements when projects are data-driven and safety-focused.

Second, Transportation Alternatives programs administered at the state and MPO level. States and MPOs publish their own Transportation Alternatives application cycles, scoring criteria, and eligible project lists, which often include pedestrian lighting and enhanced crossings.

In addition to these channels, many states operate dedicated programs branded as Active Transportation Programs, Complete Streets grants, Multimodal Transportation grants, or Safe Routes to School infrastructure programs. These state-only programs often support lighted crosswalk systems near schools, campuses, transit stops, medical facilities, and public or private employment centers.

How to Position Lighted Crosswalk Systems for Grant Success

Lighted crosswalk systems, including LightGuard Systems' in-roadway warning lights, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB), and flashing pedestrian, school crossing, or other MUTCD warning signs, are most competitive when framed as part of a pedestrian safety enhancement package rather than a standalone device. Successful grant applications typically emphasize nighttime visibility improvements, high-risk or high-volume pedestrian crossings, ADA and accessibility upgrades, school, campus, hospital, airport, or transit-adjacent safety needs, and corridor- or network-wide safety strategies.

Bundling lighting with signage, pavement markings, ADA ramps, and traffic-calming elements strengthens eligibility across federal and state funding programs.

Summary of Funding Pathways

Safe Streets and Roads for All is a federal competitive grant program.

Highway Safety Improvement Program funding is federal but administered by states.

Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside funding flows from federal to state and MPO competitive programs.

State active transportation and safety programs vary by state and are typically competitive.

Official Grant Program Links

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)

https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A

SS4A Implementation Grants

https://www.transportation.gov/grants/ss4a/implementation-grants

SS4A Planning and Demonstration Grants

https://www.transportation.gov/grants/ss4a/planning-and-demonstration-activities

Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)

https://highways.dot.gov/safety/hsip

HSIP Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Overview

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act/hsip.cfm

Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act/ta.cfm

USDOT Competitive Grants Dashboard

https://www.transportation.gov/grants/dashboard

State Highway Safety Improvement Programs

Search “[State] DOT Highway Safety Improvement Program”

Transportation Alternatives State and MPO Programs

Search “[State] Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside”

State Active Transportation and Complete Streets Programs

Search “[State] Active Transportation Grant Program”

Final Takeaway

Lighted crosswalk systems align directly with today’s pedestrian safety priorities and are eligible for funding through multiple federal and state grant programs. When positioned as data-driven safety improvements tied to documented risk and accessibility goals, these systems can unlock meaningful funding to create safer, more visible pedestrian crossings.