In response to the need for improved roadway safety (2022 saw the highest number of fatalities since 2005, with more than 46,000 lives lost), several Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) have been released under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to support projects involving advanced transportation technologies including connected vehicles (CV) and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).
We rounded up details on four IIJA grant funding opportunities available this summer that can help fund advanced transportation technology projects.
Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program
The SMART Grants Program provides up to $100 million in annual grant funding from 2022 to 2026. Funding supports states, state political subdivisions, tribal governments and MPOs, and state and local transportation and transit authorities in planning and implementing demonstration projects related to advanced transportation technologies and systems. The SMART Grants Program does not require matching funds, and partnerships between public agencies and the private sector are encouraged.
Eligible projects include connected and autonomous vehicles, sensors, system integration, traffic signals, smart grid, innovative aviation, and delivery and logistics. U.S. DOT provides a list of example projects that may be eligible for SMART funding.
The SMART grant has two stages:
- Stage I: Offers grants up to $2 million over an 18-month period of performance for planning and prototyping efforts
- Stage II: Offers grants up to $15 million over a 36-month period of performance for implementation efforts
In FY22, 392 submissions led to 59 grants awarded for Stage I. The FY23 NOFO is expected to open in August 2023 for the second round of Stage I SMART grants. You can sign up to receive a notification when the NOFO opens.
Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovation (ATTAIN) Program
The ATTAIN grant is an existing program, previously named Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment, being expanded through IIJA. With the introduction of IIJA, ATTAIN will continue for an additional four years (2023 – 2026), with $60 million in funding allocated for FY2023.
ATTAIN supports deploying, installing, and operating advanced transportation technologies to improve safety and mobility. The expanded version under the IIJA includes advanced transportation technologies that will enhance the emergency evacuation response by federal, state, and local authorities; integration of real-time transportation information to the public; communication for automated vehicles; advanced systems for parking; and congestion pricing; toll collection; on-demand transportation service and other shared-use mobility application.
The NOFO for this year is not yet available. Information about granted awards from previous years is available on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) website.
Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems (ADCMS) Grant Program
On June 27, 2023, the FHWA opened the application window for the first year of ADCMS, a new grant program that funnels $85 million in IIJA funding to eligible digital construction projects.
The ADCMS grant program recognizes the potential of digital solutions in transforming the construction process, from planning and design to execution and maintenance. Through digital avenues like computer modeling and 3D design, transportation infrastructure projects can be better visualized, assessed, and managed.
ADCMS is open to eligible entities involved in transportation infrastructure projects, including state and local governments, tribal governments, and transportation authorities. Applicants must submit proposals outlining their plans to integrate digital construction management systems into their projects. The proposals should demonstrate how the use of advanced digital technologies can improve project outcomes, increase cost-effectiveness, and minimize construction delays.
The grant allocated $34 million for combined FY22 and FY23. Applications are due August 28, 2023. Details are provided in the NOFO.
Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program
The Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program has been allocated $100 million over five years. The program supports recipients in developing and evaluating public-private partnerships, including asset concessions, to explore opportunities for innovative finance and delivery.
The Build America Bureau has announced plans to issue a NOFO in mid-2023, allocating $40 million over two fiscal years. The funding aims to support programs and initiatives across different states. However, no more than $4 million can be awarded within a single state.
Two types of grants will be available: Technical Assistance Grants and Expert Services Grants. Technical Assistance Grants are designed to build organizational capacity, empowering organizations to develop sustainable financial strategies and maximize the impact of their projects. Expert Services Grants are geared toward project development and provide funding to hire professional services with the necessary expertise to develop projects efficiently and effectively.
You can sign up to receive a notification when the NOFO opens.
Other Transportation Technology Funding Opportunities
Some NOFOs related to advanced transportation technology are already closed for this year, but will be available again next year. One such example is Safe Streets and Roads for All Funding (SS4A), which allocates $1 billion annually until 2026. You can sign up to stay informed about USDOT-wide NOFOs as they become available. For projects that exceed funding provided through grants, USDOT also offers different financing opportunities.
Connect With Us
Trihydro’s transportation technology professionals have experience partnering with clients to identify and prioritize project concepts, identify appropriate funding opportunities, and help prepare grant applications. Connect with us if you would like to learn more or need support achieving your goals.
