Connecting Vehicles for Safer Travel: US Federal Highway Administration Grants $20 Million to Utah

In a major initiative to improve road safety and travel time, the Federal Highway Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a $20 million grant to Utah. The funding is part of the “Saving Lives and Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment” program, which aims to enhance vehicle technologies specifically for snow plows, public transportation buses, and other government-operated vehicles.

The technology being used will allow traffic lights to be directed remotely, improving safety and reducing 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 through technology for improved safety outcomes.

Utah’s Department of Transportation was commended by Shailen Bhatt, the US Federal Highway Administrator, for being a leader in this area. Bhatt 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.

Improvements have already been observed in Salt Lake City where the technology is already in use. Travel time reliability has improved as well as bus performance. 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.

This grant will fund projects in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming each representing different population densities and transportation systems. The goal is to leverage technology for improved safety outcomes by connecting vehicles and infrastructure.

In conclusion, this initiative by the Federal Highway Administration aims to improve road safety by enhancing vehicle technologies specifically for snow plows, public transportation buses