HNTB explains FAST ACT'S SECTION 6004

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act authorizes $305 billion over five years. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, it means state and local governments now may move critical transportation projects forward with the confidence that they will have a federal partner over the long term.

What is Section 6004 of the FAST act?

The objective of Section 6004 is to support advanced transportation technologies with funding in an effort to address transportation safety, mobility and air quality challenges in municipalities nationwide. It recognizes that integrating large scale advanced transportation technologies may reduce traffic fatalities and injuries, reduce traffic congestion, reduce transportation-related emissions and improve access to transportation across the spectrum, among other benefits.

Key points:

• Allocates $300 million over 5 years, with a 50% non-federal match requirement

• Makes funding available to a number of entities, including state or local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, transit agencies, research/academic institutions and others

• Focuses on deployment of new mobility solutions and technologies, not on research and development

• Promotes the use of innovative transportation solutions, which may provide the DOT with real-life data to inform future decisions

• Sets a June 3 deadline for 2016 grant applications

• Awards five to ten grants not exceeding $12 million each

- $2 million per year for evaluation efforts

What does Section 6004 mean for state and local transportation agencies?

Every day, challenges in transportation result in congestion and unreliable travel, negative environmental impact and reduced safety. According to the Texas A&M University Transportation Institute, Americans spend on average more than 40 hours per person stuck in traffic each year for an annual financial cost of $121 billion. The transportation sector is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, responsible for emitting 28% of GHGs into the atmosphere. Ultimately, the FHWA expects innovative transportation solutions to:

• reduce traffic-related fatalities and injuries

• reduce traffic congestion

• reduce emissions

• improve access to transportation alternatives

• provide real-time integrated traffic, transit and multimodal transportation information

to help users make informed travel decisions

What might a pilot project look like?

Projects funded under this initiative will deploy advanced transportation and congestion management technologies, including (but not limited to):

• Advanced traveler information systems — Publicly accessible systems that provide real time and individualized information about travel choices, based on data from sensors (traffic, weather, mobile sources) and other information

• Advanced transportation management technologies — Technologies that assist in managing the performance of transportation systems optimize operations and respond to dynamic conditions

• Infrastructure maintenance, monitoring and condition assessment — Technologies and systems that monitor the behavior or assess the condition of transportation infrastructure to allow agencies to better manage transportation assets

• Advanced public transportation systems — Technologies that assist in optimizing public transportation and mobility service, which may include remote fleet monitoring systems, coordinated communication systems, algorithms and applications to enable better transit connections for users

• Transportation system performance data collection, analysis and dissemination systems — Technologies and systems that actively monitor the performance of transportation systems and permit agencies and other interested entities to conduct analyses and research

• Advanced safety systems, such as vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, technologies associated with autonomous vehicles, and other collision avoidance technologies, including systems using cellular technology

What happens next?

The U.S. Department of Transportation will evaluate applications based on technical merit, prioritizing projects that enhance personal mobility and accessibility.

How should interested entities proceed?

Interested agencies should evaluate how emerging mobility solutions might meet their most pressing transportation needs and assess whether the Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative is an appropriate mechanism for funding such solutions. Since no more than 10 grants will be awarded each year, a solid proposal and plan will be needed.

HNTB has a strong history of supporting client organizations with successful grant proposals, including recent awards for the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority Connected Vehicle Pilot and the MAASTO Truck Parking Information System.

There are annual reporting requirements on the costs and benefits of the project and how the project has met the expectations described in the application.

The future of transportation technology

Evolving technologies within intelligent transportation systems will make travel along our nation’s transportation corridors and in our vehicles more reliable, faster and safer. The benefits of ITS greatly outweigh the costs. Agencies that embrace this change will remain relevant and, ultimately, the transportation systems they operate and maintain will be safer and more efficient. While transportation agencies must move more quickly to address the changing technology landscape, planning and implementation should be at a deliberate, measured pace.

Authors:

Ananth Prasad, PE Transportation Practice Leader HNTB Corporation

Jim Barbaresso, Practice Leader, Intelligent Transportation Systems HNTB Corporation

Media contact:

Agnes Huff

Agnes Huff Communications

310.641-2525; ahuff@ahuffgroup.com