New SMART and ATTAIN Programs Support Innovation that Advances American Competitiveness, Fights Climate Change, Improves Safety and Helps Americans Save Time and Money
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced today that it is accepting applications for two programs that will make approximately $160 million available annually for the next five years for projects that use technology to improve our transportation infrastructure and make communities safer.
The first is the new Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed on November 15, 2021. The program will offer up to $100 million in grants annually over the next five years and will fund projects that use data and technology to solve real-world challenges facing communities today.
The SMART program will fund purpose-driven innovation and focus on building data and technology capacity and expertise. The Program seeks proposals from public sector entities that will carry out demonstration projects in the following domains to address key transportation priorities:
• 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 Unmanned Aircraft Systems
The second is the Federal Highway Administration’s $60 million Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program to promote advanced technologies to improve safety and reduce travel times for drivers and transit riders and that can serve as national examples. As a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ATTAIN-eligible projects will be evaluated on how they consider climate change and environmental justice impacts – including how they reduce transportation-related air pollution and address the disproportionate impacts on disadvantaged communities. In addition, projects are evaluated on their economic impact and potential to create jobs.
The SMART Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is open now and can be found at www.grants.gov. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM EDT on Friday, November 18, 2022. Eligible entities are state, local, and tribal governments and agencies. For more information visit https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SMART.
The ATTAIN Notice of Funding Opportunity can also be found at www.grants.gov. State departments of transportation, local governments, transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and other eligible entities are invited to apply. Applications must be submitted by Friday, November 18, 2022. For more information, visit the FHWA web site.