The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has unveiled a grant opportunity of $40 million towards their "Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment" program. This initiative aims to propel the development and deployment of connected vehicle technologies designed to bolster road safety, mobility, and efficiency.

 
Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology allows vehicles and wireless devices to communicate with each other and with roadside infrastructure, offering critical warnings and alerts. The core objective of V2X technology is to significantly contribute to the Safe System Approach outlined in the USDOT's National Roadway Safety Strategy, an all-encompassing strategy initiated in January 2022 to combat the escalating crisis of roadway fatalities.

The overarching goal of the program is to ensure that these connected technologies operate securely and without interference across diverse devices and platforms. V2X connectivity covers a wide array of wireless technologies, including mobile, in-vehicle, and roadside devices that facilitate communication and coordination, particularly regarding crucial elements like intersections, red lights, curve speeds, and roadway departures.

Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt stressed the transformative impact of V2X connectivity, stating, "V2X connectivity is a critical transformational technology that not only advances safety but also enhances mobility and efficiency. Accelerating V2X deployment now is a crucial step toward saving lives with connectivity. We're working to make sure that no matter where you drive-truly reliable and seamless connectivity will be in place."
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation plans to unveil a draft V2X Deployment Plan in the coming weeks, open to public commentary. This plan is designed to capture feedback from stakeholders as part of a collective effort to deploy interoperable connectivity. This collaborative approach will enable stakeholders to provide input, with the aim of finalizing the plan by early 2024.

https://highways.dot.gov/newsroom/usdot-opens-40-million-grant-opportunity-connected-vehicle-technologies-will-help-save