The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced grant awards to six projects in six states totaling approximately $1.37 million in research funding through the Real-Time Asset Management Program. The projects will support infrastructure innovation in the transit industry.

The primary goal of the Real-Time Asset Management Program is to enhance asset management of infrastructure and safety by deploying innovative technologies that can provide real-time condition assessment of transit capital and facilities. The program is an opportunity for transit agencies to assess, detect, monitor, and track deficiencies related to infrastructure and evaluate the cost-effectiveness and practicality of proposed state-of-the art solutions.

“FTA is leveraging cutting-edge technology to better maintain our nation’s transit assets, which will improve safety for both riders and front-line workers,” said FTA Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams. “These innovative new designs will help transit systems maintain a state of good repair, which is particularly important during the COVID-19 public health emergency.”

The following projects are selected to receive funding:

• The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will receive $395,000 to partner with four transit agencies to install and demonstrate smart sensing technology. The project will focus on the installation of smart sensing modules that provide real-time monitoring of rail transit infrastructure and rolling stock.

• The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) will receive $150,000 to initiate an electronic inventory of its light-rail system to monitor, detect, and identify track deficiencies. The project will enable MDOT MTA to maintain a more accurate assessment of its light rail system.

• The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC) will receive $131,661 to partner with the University of Nevada to demonstrate real-time transit infrastructure monitoring in the City of Reno. The monitoring system, which will use electronic sensors, will assist RTC in maintaining its system in a state of good repair.

• The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia will receive $170,000 to deploy automated scanning technology to assess the condition of its overhead contact system wires across its 262-mile regional rail network.

• The Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority will receive $184,000 to demonstrate real-time digital technology to monitor its rail stations, tracks, bridges, tunnels, and highway-rail crossings.

• The Utah Transit Authority in Salt Lake City will receive $338,155 to develop an optical imaging system to monitor the conditions of its rail system.