U.S. Department of Transportation Makes $2.4 Million Available for Work Zone Data Exchange Grants in Preparation for Automated Vehicles

Federal Highway Administration
18 June 2020

FHWA 11-20
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel.: (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in Grants.gov for $2.4 million in Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx) grants to promote the development of shared data feeds on work zones across America’s states and localities. The information would also be available for in-vehicle applications allowing automated vehicles to learn about nearby work zones and navigate them safely.

“The goal of the program is to increase public safety on the roadway through the gathering and sharing of information on work zones nationwide,” said Federal Highway Administrator Nicole R. Nason.

Up-to-date information about dynamic conditions occurring on roads – such as construction events – can help automated and human-driven vehicles operate more safely and efficiently, benefiting both travelers and roadway workers.

The WZDx project is part of the Department’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Research Program that includes the testing of intelligent infrastructure systems. This program encourages the development, collection and distribution of work zone information on dynamic road conditions.

Approximately 12 grants up to $200,000 each are expected to be awarded to support state and local agencies in implementing open work zone data feeds.

The NOFO is available here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=327731