The grant program, USDOT says, “has been refocused to prioritize innovative ways to increase safety on American transportation, including through automated vehicles and driving systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning, digital infrastructure, and human-machine interface technologies.” UTCs are competitively selected based on the quality of proposed research projects, planned education and workforce-development activities, and potential for moving technologies into practice, USDOT noted. The first cohort of grants awarded to 10 universities in 1988. Each UTC is a group of two- and four-year colleges and universities that come together to form a unique center of transportation excellence on a specific research topic. To date, 100 different universities have received UTC Program grants. The UTC Program funds three types of centers: National UTCs have a national scope, Regional UTCs address regional needs as well as national priorities, and Tier 1 UTCs focus on unique and specific areas of interest. USDOT will award $33M in grants: up to $9 million over three years to one Regional UTC, and up to $6 million over three years for each of four Tier 1 UTCs. “UTC Program grant recipients lead, innovate, and educate, enhancing and transforming America’s transportation system to prioritize safety and infrastructure durability and align with our nation’s economic and societal goals,” USDOT said. Grants can be used for transportation-related curriculum development, student support, and continuing education programs. More information is available here. The post USDOT: $33MM for UTC Program appeared first on Railway Age.
