FTA issues grants for transit innovation projects

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) yesterday announced grant awards to six projects in six states totaling $1.37 million in research funding through the Real-Time Asset Management Program.

The projects will support infrastructure innovation in the transit industry, FTA officials said in a press release.

Among the recipients and projects awarded grants:
• The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will receive $395,000 to partner with four transit agencies to install and demonstrate smart sensing technology. The project will focus on the installation of smart sensing modules that provide real-time monitor of transit-rail infrastructure and rolling stock.
• Utah Transit Authority (UTA) will receive $338,155 to develop an optical imaging system to monitor the conditions of the rail system that serves Salt Lake City and surrounding areas. When implemented, the new system will help UTA maintain a state of good repair and provide long-term monitoring of track and tie conditions.
• Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will receive $184,000 to demonstrate real-time digital technology to monitor its rail stations, tracks, bridges, tunnels and grade crossings. The technology will help DART maintain a state of good repair and continued service reliability.
• Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will receive $170,000 to deploy automated scanning technology to assess the condition of its overhead contact system wires. The new technology will assist SEPTA in maintaining a state of good repair and continued service reliability throughout its 262-mile regional rail network.
• The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) will receive $150,000 to initiate an electronic inventory of its light-rail system to monitor, detect and identify track deficiencies. The project will enable the MDOT MTA to maintain a more accurate assessment of its light-rail system, which serves Baltimore and surrounding areas.

The main goal of the Real-Time Asset Management Program is to enhance asset management of infrastructure and safety by deploying technology that can assess in real time the condition of transit capital and facilities, FTA officials said.