Saving Lives and Connectivity: $20 Million Grant to Utah for V2X Deployment with Snow Plows, Public Transportation Buses, and Other Government-Operated Vehicles
The US Federal Highway Administration has recently announced a $20 million grant to Utah as part of the “Saving Lives and Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment” program. This initiative aims to improve vehicle technologies, specifically for snow plows, public transportation buses, and other government-operated vehicles.
The technology being used can direct traffic lights to change, enhancing safety and travel time for drivers. Utah will receive $20 million of the $60 million total grant, with the remaining $40 million going to Texas and Arizona. The goal is to connect vehicles and infrastructure to leverage technology for improved safety outcomes.
Shailen Bhatt, the US Federal Highway Administrator, commended Utah’s Department of Transportation for being a leader in this area. He emphasized the importance of protecting personal private information when utilizing this technology. Basic safety messages (DSM) are exchanged between vehicles and intersections, providing anonymous data on approaching vehicles and traffic light statuses.
In Salt Lake City, where the technology is already in use, improvements in travel time reliability and bus performance have been observed. Bhatt highlighted the positive impact of deploying technology in reducing crashes, congestion, travel times, and greenhouse gas emissions. He expressed anticipation for further investments based on data collected from the initial deployment.
Utah will use the grant money to fund projects in different population densities and transportation systems across Colorado and Wyoming. These projects will help ensure that this technology is deployed effectively across various regions with varying needs.
The “Saving Lives and Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment” program aims to revolutionize transportation by leveraging technology to improve safety outcomes. With continued investment in this initiative, we can expect significant improvements in transportation systems across the country.
Overall, this grant represents a significant investment in improving transportation systems across the United States through technological innovation. As we continue to advance these technologies, we must remain vigilant about protecting personal private information while still achieving our goals of reducing accidents and improving travel times for all drivers on our roads.
