The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $1.25 million in funding to demonstrate and evaluate innovative technologies and designs to improve the state of good repair for transit agencies. The competitive grant funds are provided through the Public Transportation Innovation Program. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) appears in the Federal Register.

The Public Transportation Innovation Program authorizes FTA to fund research, development, demonstrations, and deployment projects to improve public transportation. FTA emphasizes the Real-Time Transit Infrastructure and Rolling Stock Condition Assessment Demonstration Program as a competitive demonstration opportunity under its research area of infrastructure.

The primary goal of the Real-Time Transit Infrastructure and Rolling Stock Condition program is to enhance asset management of infrastructure and safety by employing 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.

“This is a unique opportunity for transit agencies to develop innovative technologies and designs while at the same time, further enhancing the safety of our nation’s transit systems,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams.

Eligible applicants under the NOFO are providers of public transportation, including public transportation agencies, state and local Departments of Transportation, technology system suppliers, and bus manufacturers.