TDOT’s Traffic Signal Modernization Program
2026 Grant Application period open now.
The Traffic Signal Modernization Program (TSMP) grant is a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) program designed to help communities and their local traffic signal maintaining agencies modernize existing traffic signal equipment and operations. The TSMP project must be located on a State Route. Communities and unincorporated areas within counties are eligible for TSMP funds if either of the following are met:
• Any community in a non-CMAQ county; or
• Any community with a population below 5,000 (based on the 2020 federal census).
Check CMAQ County here: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program
Any grant application submitted on behalf of a community that is identified as not eligible for TSMP funds will be eliminated from consideration. The TSMP grant funds are intended to address specific needs contained in the grant application and not intended as equipment only procurement funds or provide local project fund assistance for communities. TSMP is a 100% state funded program (i.e. no local match required). Every project will have a different associated project cap up to $125,000 per project.
Eligible TSMP Items Include:
• Controllers & Conflict Monitors
• Controller Cabinet & Equipment
• Signal Heads & Flashing Beacons
• Supplemental Signal Heads
What are some expected benefits to modernizing your traffic signal items?
• Reduction in crashes
• Reduction in traffic congestion
• Increased detection reliability
Grant Application Deadline:
The TSMP Grant Application along with any other information related to the grant application must be completed and submitted electronically via email by 4:00pm Central (5:00pm Eastern) on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 to tdot.trafficdesign.tsmmprogram@tn.gov with the subject line “2026 TSMP Grant Application”. Please also include your community (i.e. city, town, county) in the subject line. For questions regarding this TSMP grant application process, please contact Steve Bryan via the same email address.
