1. (a) Project evaluation. The responsible division will review each program application for completeness and compliance with project eligibility requirements described in §25.502 of this subchapter. Applications that do not comply with these requirements or that are not received by the published deadline will not be evaluated.
2. (b) Project evaluation panel. The executive director will appoint a project evaluation panel of department staff with expertise in bicycle safety, pedestrian safety, roadway safety, roadway design, or traffic engineering to evaluate the proposals submitted statewide.

3. (c) Selection criteria.

   1. (1) Safe Routes to School applications meeting all requirements included in §25.502 will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria:

      1. (A) identification of current and potential walking and bicycling routes to school;
      2. (B) the demonstrated need of the applicant;
      3. (C) identification of safety hazards;
      4. (D) the potential of the proposal to reduce child injuries and fatalities;
      5. (E) the potential of the proposal to encourage walking and bicycling among students;
      6. (F) support for the project by the community and interested parties;
      7. (G) identification of detailed construction costs; and
      8. (H) compliance with design criteria established by the responsible division.
   2. (2) Additional consideration will be given to applications that demonstrate a link to a comprehensive traffic safety plan and have secured additional funding or other resources to extend the beneficial effect of the proposed project.
   3. (3) Additional consideration will also be given to other factors relating to the proposed project deemed necessary to promote pedestrian and bicycle safety of children in and around school areas.
4. (d) Commission approval. Approval by the commission will be based on the panel evaluations, funding availability, the safety of the traveling public, and safety in and around school areas.
5. (e) Approved projects. After approval by the commission, the department will notify applicants of the project selection status. Approved projects must comply with design, plan preparation, and letting requirements established by the director of the responsible division.
6. (f) Project overruns. Approved program funds are a fixed amount. Project applicants will be responsible for all cost overruns.

Source Note:The provisions of this §25.504 adopted to be effective July 18, 2002, 27 TexReg 6349.