(1) Any public, private or nonprofit entity may submit an application to the commission for a grant from the grade crossing protective fund. The commission will consider applications that propose projects that are within one of the following categories:

(a) Grade crossing signals or other warning devices at public crossings. This category includes safety improvement projects at public crossings under RCW 81.53.261 and 81.53.295.

(b) Trespass prevention and motorist safety projects. This category includes, but is not limited to, fencing or other physical barriers; warning devices; channeling devices; public information efforts; and enforcement-related activities.

(c) Private crossing safety improvements. This category includes, but is not limited to, crossing closures or consolidations; signals or warning devices; nighttime and off-hours locked gates; and making existing warning devices more noticeable.

(d) Miscellaneous safety projects. This category includes other projects within the scope of WAC 480-62-400(2) to foster creative and effective ideas and to address newly discovered problems. Such projects might include, but are not limited to, roadway improvements at or approaching grade crossings; mitigation of problems created by crossing closures; and removal of sight obstructions to signals or trains for the traveling public.

(2) An applicant may at any time submit an application on a form provided by the commission for a grant to pay for costs of public grade crossing signals or other warning devices as described in subsection (1)(a) of this section. The commission will evaluate and act on such applications as they are received.

(3) An applicant may at any time submit an application for a grant to pay for projects falling within the categories described in subsection (1)(b), (c), and (d) of this section. When funds are available for disbursement, the commission will issue a call for grant applications with a deadline by which applications must be submitted for competitive consideration. The commission will evaluate and act on all pending applications, deciding whether each application should be granted, in whole or in part; whether the application should be retained for further consideration if funds become available; or whether the application should be denied. Applications that have not been denied may remain active until the next ensuing call for grant applications is issued, not to exceed two years from the date of the application, or such shorter time as the commission may specify.

(4) Applicants for projects described in subsection (1)(b), (c), and (d) of this section must submit grant applications on a form provided by the commission that requires applicants to provide the following information:

(a) A detailed summary of the hazard to be addressed, including location, accident history, and the identities of the relevant railroad company and local agency (local government that has jurisdiction over the issue and/or territory involved);

(b) A summary of the project and how its implementation will mitigate or eliminate the hazard;

(c) Cost estimates;

(d) An estimated timeline for project completion;

(e) A description of how the project’s success can be measured;

(f) A summary of efforts to coordinate with the railroad and/or local government, and the results of those efforts;

(g) A description of the applicant's experience, capacity, and competency to complete the project; and

(h) Such other information as the commission may require.