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Dive brief:
- The US DOT disbursed $54 million in annual funding for a grant program that will improve transportation efficiency and safety, and has applications for builders, the agency. announced on March 14.
- The DOT’s SMART grant program, which went into effect in fiscal year 2022, will be extended. money to 34 projects in 22 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, according to the agency. It was established by the $1.2 trillion Jobs and Infrastructure Investment Act and reserve $100 million allocated annually until 2026.
- The program distributes the funds in two stages: the March 14 awards are Stage 1 grants, which can provide up to $2 million each and last for 18 months. Recipients will be able to expand further through Phase 2 grants, which provide up to $15 million and last 36 months, according to the department.
Diving knowledge:
The SMART program is another tool in the federal DOT’s toolbox to fund advanced technology projects at state DOTs. Other programs include the Federal Highway Administration’s Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems Program, which targets innovating and using new programs in government construction jobs.
In total, the program has been disbursed so far $148 million in funding through 93 projects, according to the agency.
All applicants must demonstrate a connection to one of eight technology fields, which are:
- Connected vehicles.
- Delivery/Logistics.
- Sensors.
- Systems integration.
- Coordinated automation.
- Innovative aviation.
- smart grid
- Traffic signs.
Although SMART projects are primarily related to transportation, many also relate to construction. Examples include:
- The Colorado DOT will create a digital twin of transportation, land use and infrastructure data to support scenario modeling and infrastructure planning.
- The Maryland DOT State Highway Administration will use unmanned drones to collect speed data to support real-time speed management in work zones, which are dangerous for construction professionals.
- The Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization in Florida will develop a digital twin of transportation, land use and infrastructure data to support scenario modeling and infrastructure planning.
- Wyoming DOT will modernize the work zone data environment and streamline data collection and management.
- The municipality of Canovanas, Puerto Rico, will establish a sensor-based data collection model to inform infrastructure investments and public guidance.
