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

  • EU announces finalists in EMW and SUMP awards
    February 7, 2013
    The European Commission has announced the six finalists in two awards focused on raising awareness of and developing sustainable and environmentally-friendly approaches to mobility. The European Mobility Week (EMW) award scheme rewards the local authority deemed to have done the most in raising public awareness of sustainable mobility issues and implementing measures to achieve a shift towards sustainable urban transport. The winning city is chosen by an independent panel of transport experts who assess all
  • US DoT RFI regarding nomadic mobility data collection devices
    June 28, 2012
    The US Department of Transportation has announced a Request for Information (RFI) for documents related to nomadic devices for real time data collection. The purpose of the notice is to obtain information, for planning purposes, concerning the availability of nomadic data collection devices for real time travel data with what are perceived to be unique capabilities for operating in a highly mobile environment; and to determine whether the needed capabilities exist or where there are gaps that need to be fil
  • Automotive industry's first award dedicated to light-weighting
    August 7, 2012
    Altair, a leading provider of simulation technology and engineering services to the world's automakers, has announced what it claims is the automotive industry's first award programme created specifically to acknowledge innovations in vehicle light-weighting, thereby improving fuel economy and performance. The inaugural Altair Enlighten Award, presented in collaboration with the Centre for Automotive Research (CAR), will recognise achievements in weight reduction across the automotive industry from motorcyc
  • ITS America 23rd annual meeting highlights life-saving vehicle technology
    January 29, 2013
    The Intelligent Transportation Society of America’s (ITS America) 23rd Annual Meeting and Exposition will be held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN from April 22 – 24, 2013, and will showcase the latest ITS technology solutions with an exhibit hall and panel discussions featuring national, regional and local transportation officials and innovation leaders. The three-day event will highlight the latest transportation innovations that are being developed and implemented acr