Skip to main content

USDOT launches Smart City Challenge

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has partnered with Vulcan in the Smart City challenge to mayors and city leaders across America to integrate emerging technology into their transportation networks. The winning city will be awarded up to US$40 million from the US DOT (funding subject to future appropriations) to implement bold, data-driven ideas by making transportation safer, easier, and more reliable. In addition, Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan has announced its intention to award up to US$10 millio
December 9, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The 324 US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has partnered with Vulcan in the Smart City challenge to mayors and city leaders across America to integrate emerging technology into their transportation networks.

The winning city will be awarded up to US$40 million from the US DOT (funding subject to future appropriations) to implement bold, data-driven ideas by making transportation safer, easier, and more reliable.  In addition, Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan has announced its intention to award up to US$10 million to the US DOT winner of the challenge.  The winning city will need to work with Vulcan in order to secure this funding.

The Smart City Challenge builds on the USDOT’s Beyond Traffic draft report issued in February 2015.  This public-private collaboration represents the US DOT and Vulcan’s joint belief that creativity and innovation will be absolutely essential to meeting the significant transportation challenges of the future.  Lessons learned from this competition will be used in other cities to improve networks nationwide and demonstrate a practical path to replacing carbon-based fuel consumption.  US DOT welcomes the participation of other entities who share the vision and goals in the Notice of Funding Opportunity found here. (link www.transportation.gov/smartcity/nofo)

“This is an opportunity for the winning city to define what it means to be a ‘Smart City’ when it comes to transportation.  We encourage cities to develop their own unique vision, partnerships and blueprints to demonstrate to the world what a fully integrated, forward-looking transportation network looks like,” said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.  “America can remain the global leader in maintaining the safest, most efficient system in the world: I am looking for Mayors who share that belief to join us in pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”

Interested cities should submit a high-level description of their vision of a Smart City by 4 February 2016, consistent with the Notice of Funding Opportunity.  US DOT will then announce five finalists in March 2016, who will then compete for up to US$40 million to be awarded to one city in June 2016. 

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • USDOT offers resources to advance deployment of connected vehicles
    May 27, 2016
    A nationwide network of connected vehicles and infrastructure is nearly here. Connected vehicles will be on our roads before the end of the decade. But there's still work to be done to ensure successful deployment and integration of the technology. In June, the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is partnering with ITS America to host an Accelerating Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Deployment Day during ITS America 2016 in San Jose. The free daylong workshop will highlight the USDOT's ITS p
  • USDOT to participate in 2015 ITS America annual meeting
    May 28, 2015
    The Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) of the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is set to participate in the 2015 ITS America annual meeting in Pittsburg. USDOT experts will share their knowledge on a wide variety of topics such as connected vehicles, mobility, emissions, traffic incident management, the use of technology to improve the nation's freight system, automated vehicles, cyber issues, MAP-21 performance measures, truck parking issues, road weather strategies, w
  • Secretary Foxx calls for transportation and technology summit
    September 8, 2014
    In a wide ranging speech to the World Congress opening ceremony, US Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx (pictured) acknowledged the potential gains ITS can provide, praised the work already done and challenged the industry to work with USDOT on technical matters.
  • USDoT looks to harness AI power with $15m initiative on Complete Streets
    February 5, 2024
    Artificial intelligence scheme comes through Small Business Innovation Research Programme