WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced that it is accepting applications under the $40 million Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment grant opportunity to advance connected and interoperable vehicle technologies.
The initiative is focused on road safety, mobility, and efficiency through technology that enables vehicles and wireless devices to communicate with each other and with roadside infrastructure. The initiative aims to provide warnings to improve overall safety and traffic flow. V2X can contribute to the Safe System Approach adopted by the USDOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy. This comprehensive approach launched in January 2022 to address the crisis of roadway deaths.
“We can and must use all the tools at our disposal to reduce the devastating loss of life on our nation’s roadways. Furthermore, technology has a big role to play in that effort,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Connected vehicle technology has the potential to save lives. Furthermore, we are proud to provide this funding to help accelerate its development.”
The grant opportunity announced today will promote the deployment of V2X technologies with the goal of advancing the full lifesaving potential of V2X communication. Moreover, they will achieve this by ensuring connected technologies communicate securely and without harmful interference across a variety of devices and platforms. Safe and effective interoperable V2X connectivity can include multiple wireless technologies. These technologies include mobile, in-vehicle, and roadside devices that can communicate and operate with each other, such as warnings and alerts related to intersections, red lights, curve speeds, and roadway departures.
“V2X connectivity is a critical transformational technology. It not only advances safety but also enhances mobility and efficiency,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “Accelerating V2X deployment now is a crucial step toward saving lives with connectivity. We’re working to make sure that no matter where you drive — truly reliable and seamless connectivity will be in place.”
The USDOT plans to share a draft V2X Deployment Plan for public input in the upcoming weeks, indicating its intent. This is in order to capture feedback from stakeholders toward a collective plan for the deployment of interoperable connectivity. Furthermore, stakeholders will continue to provide input on the draft toward completion in early 2024.
Multiple technological, economic, and policy strategies may be considered charting a path towards nationwide interoperable connectivity. Moreover, the goal of this funding opportunity is to assess the risks, overcome challenges, and mitigate key uncertainties. Facilitating initial deployments, this will set the United States on track to achieve the goal of national interoperable connectivity.
Please see here for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
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