DOT announces $50M for SMART Grants Notice of Funding
Eligible applicants: state, political subdivisions of a state, tribes, public transit authorities, public toll authorities, metropolitan planning organisations. Applications are due October 10, 2023.
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (this program is currently accepting applications)
Opportunity: Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program
Overview and Eligible Uses: The SMART program was established to provide grants to eligible public sector agencies to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems in order to improve transportation efficiency and safety. The SMART Grants Program includes two stages: Stage 1 Planning and Prototyping Grants (Stage 1 grants) and Stage 2 Implementation Grants (Stage 2 grants). Eligible activities include.
Coordinated Automation: Investment in technologies that enable automated transportation systems and autonomous vehicles, ensuring that the accessibility of other user groups and travel modes is maintained.
Connected Vehicles: Allocation of funds for the development and implementation of vehicles that communicate and share information about their movements in the network, utilizing vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-everything communications to enhance connectivity and reliability.
Intelligent, Sensor-Based Infrastructure : to deploy and operate intelligent infrastructure equipped with sensors. These sensors collect real-time data, which informs various transportation-related operations and performance enhancements.
Systems Integration: to integrate intelligent transportation systems with existing systems and advanced transportation technologies, promoting seamless and effective integration.
Commerce Delivery and Logistics: Investment in innovative data and technology solutions aimed at improving the efficiency of goods movement.
Leveraging Innovative Aviation Technology: to leverage innovative aviation technologies, like unmanned aircraft systems, for transportation safety and efficiency purposes. This could involve tasks such as traffic monitoring and infrastructure inspection.
Smart Grid : to develop and establish an energy transmission and distribution system that is programmable and efficient. This system would support the adoption or expansion of energy capture, electric vehicle deployment, and improvements in fuel efficiency for freight and commercial fleets.
Smart Technology Traffic Signals: to enhance the management and functionality of traffic signals, including:the implementation of automated traffic signal performance measurement, active traffic signal management strategies, modernizing outdated traffic signals, and providing temporary staffing for technology updates, especially for eligible applicants with populations under 500,000.
Amount: USDOT anticipates funding 30 projects of maximum $2,000,000 and minimum $ 250,000 per project for Stage 1 Planning and Prototyping grants and up to $15,000,000 per project for Stage 2 Implementation grants.
Award Type: Competitive grant
Eligible Applicants:
a state
a political subdivision of a State
a federally recognised tribal government
a public transit agency or authority
a public toll authority
a metropolitan planning organisation
USDOT anticipates that only recipients of Stage 1 Planning and Prototyping Grants will be eligible for Stage 2 Implementation Grants.
Key Dates: Applications are due 5 p.m. ET, October 10, 2023
Key Links:
For a full list of currently available grant programs under the Infrastructure Law and other helpful tools, take a look at our Helpful Resources page.
This tracker will continue to send updates when new funding opportunities are announced.