AASHTO Journal - FHWA Seeking V2X Deployment Grant Applications

The Federal Highway Administration is now accepting applications for $40 million worth of “Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment” grants.

[Above photo by FHWA]

The agency said this grant program seeks to improve road safety, mobility, and efficiency through vehicle-to-everything or V2X technology that enables vehicles and wireless devices to communicate with each other and with roadside infrastructure.

FHWA believes that V2X can contribute to the Safe System Approach that is part of the National Roadway Safety Strategy launched by the U.S. Department of Transportation in January 2022 to help reduce U.S. roadway deaths and injuries.

[Editor’s note: In August, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials sent a 10-page comment letter to USDOT offering a detailed list of research projects worthy of receiving Advanced Research Projects Agency-Infrastructure or ARPA-I grants – especially where V2X is concerned.]

FHWA emphasized that the goal of its V2X grant program is to promote broader deployment of V2X technologies to take advantage of its “full lifesaving potential” while 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, including 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, noted FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt.

“V2X connectivity is a critical transformational technology that not only advances safety but also enhances mobility and efficiency,” he said in a statement.

“Accelerating V2X deployment now is a crucial step toward saving lives with connectivity,” Bhatt added. “We’re working to make sure that, no matter where you drive, truly reliable and seamless connectivity will be in place.”

[Editor’s note: In September 2022, Jennifer Homendy – chair of the National Transportation Safety Board – touted what she called “the immense safety benefits” offered by V2X technology, vigorously calling for “immediate widespread deployment of that technology.”]

Meanwhile, state departments of transportation are pushing forward with their own V2X deployment plans or in support of private sector V2X research efforts.

In August, the Georgia Department of Transportation hosted an event celebrating the receipt of waivers from the Federal Communications Commission allowing the agency to integrate Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything or C-V2X technology on roadways statewide.

To date, the Georgia DOT said it has more than 700 intersections and interstate installations ready to deploy C-V2X technology in addition to the over 1,200 signalized intersections already deployed with connected vehicle technology.

Additionally, the department has developed a C-V2X roadmap that outlines a 10-year funding program to equip all signalized intersections on the state route system.