Georgia Department of Transportation Awarded $2.5M Federal Grant for Connected Vehicle Technology

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Thursday, April 4th, 2019

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has been awarded a $2.5 million Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) grant for connected vehicle (CV) technologies by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Georgia is one of only ten states awarded ATCMTD grants to fund advanced technologies that will improve mobility and safety for drivers and enhance the performance of the nation’s highway system. The ten projects were selected from 51 applications submitted. 

GDOT will use the funds on roadside infrastructure to support the operation of CV technologies at 1,700 additional traffic signals and ramp meter locations in the metro Atlanta area. This project will outfit all interstate ramps and signalized intersections on major roads in the region with proper vehicle-to-infrastructure technologies to communicate with private, fleet and transit vehicles. GDOT also plans to develop an information-sharing portal where traffic management partners and private sector collaborators such as app developers, automobile manufacturers and other partners can access and utilize real-time data to improve the effectiveness of their products and services.

“Connected vehicles are part of our future, and GDOT is focused on developing innovative programs that will help ensure Georgia is prepared to effectively meet the transportation challenges of today and those the future will bring,” said GDOT State Transportation Engineer Andrew Heath. “This ATCMTD grant will provide additional funding that helps drive these innovation approaches. Through our collaborative partnerships and with the continued support of FHWA and U.S. DOT, GDOT will continue to make Georgia’s transportation network among the best in the nation.” 

“These highly innovative projects offer high-tech solutions to relieve congestion and improve safety and efficiency on the nation’s highways,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

 “These technological tools are helping to support a transportation system that is equipped for the future,” said Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Brandye L. Hendrickson.

FHWA's ATCMTD program funds early deployments of cutting-edge technologies that can serve as national models to improve travel for commuters and businesses. The ATCMTD program was established under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. State departments of transportation, local governments, transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and other eligible entities were invited to apply under the program.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment.