DOT offers $1 million for technology solutions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is offering $1 million in grants to small businesses to develop technology solutions for transportation challenges. Past grant winners have developed, among other things, innovative technologies including safer emergency exit windows for rail passenger cars and an automated system to reduce congestion and manage access on highways. The DOT's Small Business Innovative Research program provides funding to small businesses to develop commercially viable technologies that will focus on safer, simpler and smarter transportation solutions. The funding will help businesses through start-up and development stage of their research and encourages the deployment of the resulting technologies. Research proposals from U.S.-owned businesses of no more than 500 employees are due by May 2, 2006. Grant awards will be made in October. Solicitation topics and materials can be found at www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir/current.html