Safety Navigator
for California Communities
About Safety Navigator
Statewide Training and Web Conferences
This program offers regular, no-cost training opportunities to help California agencies better understand and compete for federal transportation discretionary grants. Trainings are developed in coordination with Caltrans priorities and are aligned with current federal Notices of Funding Opportunity.
Training formats include:
- Live webinars (and recordings) offered throughout the year
- Topic-specific sessions tied to active funding cycles
- Deadline-focused workshops prior to major federal submissions
Training topics may address federal program eligibility, merit criteria, project readiness, benefit-cost considerations, and application development best practices. All trainings are designed to be accessible to agencies with varying levels of grant experience.
Targeted Grant Capacity Initiatives
In addition to general training, the program supports targeted initiatives aimed at improving long-term grant readiness for California communities. These initiatives focus on reducing barriers to federal funding and strengthening institutional capacity.
Initiatives may include:
- Focused outreach to rural, Tribal, and underserved communities
- Peer learning opportunities and shared lessons from past grant cycles
- Coordination with MPOs, RTPAs, and regional partners
- Thematic support aligned with Caltrans and USDOT priorities
These efforts complement existing state and regional technical assistance programs.
Grant Development Tools and References
This site provides access to curated resources to support federal grant development and application preparation. Resources are selected to help agencies efficiently navigate complex federal requirements.
Available resources may include:
- Federal discretionary grant program summaries
- NOFO highlights and key changes
- Application checklists and planning timelines
- Webinar recordings and presentation materials
- Links to federal guidance, tools, and data sources
Resources are updated regularly to reflect current funding opportunities and program guidance.
Program Updates and Upcoming Opportunities
This section highlights upcoming trainings, recent announcements, and relevant federal funding updates for California transportation agencies.
You’ll find:
- Upcoming webinar schedules and registration links
- Federal NOFO release and deadline alerts
- Program news and updates
- Highlights from recent trainings and events
Agencies are encouraged to monitor this section during active federal grant cycles.
Technical Assistance and Connection
The program team welcomes questions, feedback, and requests for support. While individualized project reviews by USDOT are not permitted, this program provides general guidance and technical assistance consistent with federal requirements.
Through this site, agencies can:
- Sign up for email updates
- Submit general questions about training or resources
- Request one-on-one technical assistance (subject to availability)
- Suggest future training topics
safety-navigator@calpoly.edu
Anurag Pande, Ph.D.
Program Director
Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering
Cal Poly State University
Debra Hood
Program Coordinator
Cal Poly Civil/Environmental Engineering Department
Email: dlhood@calpoly.edu