The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently opened the application period for Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grants.
The program funds demonstration projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems that improve transportation safety and efficiency.
Applications will be accepted for Stage 1 Planning and Prototyping grants. These grants will fund technology demonstrations and prototypes that solve real-world transportation problems in at least one of the following technology areas: coordinated automation, connected vehicles, delivery/logistics, innovative aviation, sensors, smart grid, systems integration, and traffic signals.
Projects also must build data and technology capacity for state, local, and tribal governments.
Successful projects will create sustainable partnerships across sectors and levels of government; and engage industry, labor, academia, and nonprofit organizations.
“The SMART Grant program has helped communities, states, and tribes across America deploy new kinds of transportation technology solutions to improve safety and resilience,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “As the program enters its third year of funding, we’re excited for even more communities to get funding and support to develop technological solutions to their most pressing transportation challenges.”
USDOT will hold a webinar on the application process on May 28.
The application deadline is July 12. Grants will be awarded to public sector entities.