The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced two programs that will provide $160 million per year for the next five years. These funds are specifically earmarked for projects aimed at improving transportation infrastructure and enhancing community safety through the use of cutting-edge technology.
The Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Programs, were made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. This program will allocate up to $100 million in grants each year, helping to bring transformative ideas to life.
“As we undertake the most ambitious infrastructure investment in generations, thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can and must plan for the transportation needs of the future,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “From connected vehicles that make driving safer, to smart traffic signals that reduce congestion, to sensors to detect the quality of pavement to help prioritize repair, our SMART grants will fund technology that makes people’s lives better in communities across America.”
The SMART program is dedicated to funding innovation with a clear purpose. The focus is on developing data and technology capacity and expertise. The program is seeking proposals from public sector entities to lead the way in demonstration projects that tackle important transportation issues. The domains they are most interested in will address key transportation issues, including the following:
- Vehicle technology, like automation and connectivity
- Systems innovation, like delivery and logistics, traffic signals, smart grid, and data integration
- And new ways to monitor and manage infrastructure, like sensors and UAS
“Achieving our transportation priorities related to safety, economic strength, equity, and climate requires bold investment in new technologies and approaches,” said Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and Chief Science Officer at US DOT. “SMART supports a broad portfolio of projects across the country that will serve as beacons as we move toward a transportation system that is data-driven, values-based, and technology-enabled.”
The $60 million Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was created to improve transportation and enhance safety for drivers and transit users.
This national initiative aims to showcase advanced technologies that can significantly cut travel times while addressing climate change and environmental justice concerns.
ATTAIN-eligible projects will be evaluated based on their ability to reduce air pollution, prioritize disadvantaged communities, and foster economic growth by creating employment opportunities.
“As we level the playing field and improve the travel experience for everyone, we need to promote the use of state-of-the-art technologies, and the ATTAIN program does just that,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack. “The Biden-Harris Administration has taken a program with a track record of delivering innovation through the use of advanced technologies and made it truly forward-looking by refocusing its goals to include promoting equity and tackling climate change, in addition to creating jobs and delivering positive economic impact.”
Source: The Trucker
