FHWA awards $52 million in technology grants to improve travel safety

The U.S. Department of Transportation‘s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced the allocation of more than $52 million in grants to eight states through the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) programme.

These grants, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, aim to support technology-based solutions that enhance the travel experience for millions of Americans using highway and transit systems. The funding extends to projects in communities that have previously lacked investments, including rural areas and regions facing persistent poverty.

“Your zip code shouldn’t determine whether you have access to safe, affordable transportation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With President Biden’s investments in innovative technology, we’re helping communities make transportation safer and more efficient, particularly in places that haven’t received enough resources in the past.”

The ATTAIN programme promotes advanced technologies that enhance safety and reduce travel times for drivers and transit riders. The selected projects will serve as national examples of innovation, with a focus on improving transportation access for all communities.

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“These grants will help deliver a more leading-edge transportation system designed to reach everyone and to work for everyone, especially those in communities that have lacked access to efficient transportation,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “Whether we’re addressing climate change, or making roads safer, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is bringing critical solutions to the communities we serve.”

The eight chosen projects will drive advancements in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies, aiming to improve mobility and safety. These initiatives include the expansion of real-time traffic information and signal timing systems, with a specific focus on transit. In addition, the projects will leverage other advanced technologies to enhance transportation infrastructure.

Originally established as the Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) Program under the FAST Act, the initiative had been renamed ATTAIN following amendments made by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This change reflects the programme’s commitment to deploying advanced transportation technologies and fostering innovative mobility solutions.