The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced approximately $20.3 million in grant selections through the Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) program. IMI supports projects that use innovative technologies and processes to improve access to public transportation, increase public transportation efficiency, and enhance the overall rider experience.
Twenty-five projects in 23 states will receive funding under the program.
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The projects will advance mobility through creative partnerships and emerging technologies. Combining public and private transportation assets and strategies can greatly increase access to mobility for everyone.
IMI advances FTA’s vision of mobility for all by promoting equitable, accessible, and safe transportation for all Americans. Examples of selected IMI projects include:
The Central Ohio Transit Authority will receive $1.7 million to develop a platform that combines traffic and transit management data and uses artificial intelligence to improve safety and efficiency, develop new channels of communication, and improve the rider experience across the region.
Arlington, Texas will receive $1.7 million to integrate autonomous vehicles into its on-demand car-sharing service, which will include a wheelchair accessible vehicle and accommodate University of Texas-Arlington students.
The Baldwin County (Alabama) Commission will receive approximately $261,000 to replace its outdated 24-hour-advance request transportation system with an on-demand rural transit network tailored to increase access to jobs, schools, and health care appointments. Riders will benefit from integrated trip planning and payment mechanisms, as well as automated routing and scheduling.
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FTA issued the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the IMI program in the summer of 2019. In response to the NOFO, FTA received 104 eligible project proposals totaling approximately $107 million.
FTA is making innovation a priority in the year ahead through the Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM) initiative announced in January 2020. FTA is collaborating with the transit industry as it works to meet the increasing expectations of transit riders.
Traditionally, bus lane enforcement has relied on manual processes carried out by transit police or parking enforcement officers. While it may be effective in certain municipalities, this approach is resource-intensive and very difficult to sustain.
A phased approach to technology, in-house capabilities, and workforce investment is helping transportation leaders break the reactive cycle and build more resilient, revenue-focused operations.
The landmark event empowers riders across six agencies in the Puget Sound region to tap-and-ride transit using a contactless credit or debit card or a mobile wallet.
Now in its latest edition, the awards recognize forward-thinking solutions that improve safety, operational efficiency, sustainability, rider experience, and overall system performance.
Menard discusses how data-driven signal prioritization is improving efficiency, reliability, and ridership, while offering insight into the innovations driving the next generation of smart mobility. Together, they explore how technology and collaboration are paving the way for a more connected, sustainable future in transit.
The pilot program showcases two companies’ technology at eight bus stops. The companies submitted their ideas through the Transit Tech Lab, which is backed by the Partnership Fund for New York City and provides an accelerated pathway for early to growth-stage companies to solve public transportation challenges for the largest transit agencies in North America.
To accomplish this work, the MBTA announced that four phases of temporary evening service changes will begin on February 28 and continue through April.