New $500 M in grants for transportation tech for local governments

What is happening? The federal Infrastructure law of 2021 included $500 million in grants under the SMART Program, Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation. Entities that can apply include: States, local governments, tribes, toll authorities,  transit agencies, and metropolitan planning organizations. 

Why is this important? The program will include $100 million in grants annually for 5 years & is tech forward. The goal is to fund projects “that show how technology like autonomous vehicles, roadside sensors and aerial drones.”

How will this be important? The tech projects are designed to reduce traffic congestion, crashes and commute times to jobs.

Route Fifty | Feds Prepare to Open New $500M Program for Transportation Tech