FHWA Issues Awards for High-Tech Roadway, Transit Projects

Jerry Ashworth
October 30, 2024 at 08:35:28 ET
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If the cars we drive are continuing to get more and more technologically advanced, it’s only fitting that the roadways we travel down, as well as the transit systems we ride, do the same.

The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently announced more than $96.5 million in grants to 16 states for 20 projects under the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program. These grants, awarded as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will fund technology-based and multimodal solutions that improve travel along the nation’s highways and transit systems, with a special effort to assist disadvantaged communities that have lacked investment and resources.

The program promotes advanced technologies to improve safety and reduce travel times for drivers and transit riders that can serve as national examples of innovation to improve transportation options for all communities.

The 20 selected projects will help advance Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies that improve mobility and safety. The projects include state-of-the art systems — including signal timing that works with transit and light rail, pedestrian and intersection safety, trip planning and ITS traffic management. Earlier this year the Department announced the Saving Lives with Connectivity: A Plan to Accelerate V2X Deployment plan, which guides the implementation of “vehicle-to-everything” technologies across the nation and support DOT’s commitment to pursue a comprehensive approach to reduce the number of roadway fatalities to zero.

For example:

  • The city of Madison, Wis., will receive more than $5 million for the Advancing Safety and Emergency Operations through a Regional Connected Vehicle Corridor Project, which targets two critical safety needs and deploys next generation traffic signal preemption for emergency vehicles and red-light running collision warning systems through 37 signalized intersections along approximately 10 miles of U.S. 151, a critical roadway in the region.
  • The North Carolina Department of Transportation will receive almost $12 million in funding to improve mobility, safety and resiliency of rural and disadvantaged communities by interconnecting approximately 1,000 isolated and closed loop system signals throughout the state, while implementing advanced transportation management technologies.
  • The state of Louisiana will received about $9.8 million for the on-demand Advanced Mobility Service project in Northeast Rural Louisiana, which aims to provide essential transportation for disadvantaged communities, focusing on medical needs. Leveraging advanced technologies, the project integrates shared mobility solutions, transportation carbon credits and an equity credit engine to ensure sustainability. This innovative approach promises a self-sustaining public transportation system tailored to the unique needs of rural communities, enhancing accessibility and equity in healthcare access.

Glad to see some bright minds are working to help ease the traveling process.

Join us for our following Thompson Grants event:
Thompson Grants Workshop: Subrecipient Monitoring | Nov. 13, 2024 | Virtual Event
Federal Grant Forum | Dec. 3-4, 2024 | New Orleans, La.