Rural Autonomous Vehicle Program

RAVProgram@dot.gov

The Rural Autonomous Vehicle Program will provide funding for research on applications of automated vehicle technologies for rural and tribal communities that support transportation strategic goals and objectives documented in the U.S. Department of Transportation strategic plans.

Program priorities include:

• Safety: Advancing safe, efficient transportation, reducing serious and fatal injuries on roadways
• Equity: Impacts to all populations in the program area, including older Americans, low-income households, and people with disabilities, remove transportation related disparities to all populations in the program area, and increase equitable access to program benefits

An award will be made in each of the program areas.

1. Human-centered mobility of people in rural and tribal communities
2. Movement of freight in rural and tribal communities

Eligible applicants are consortia led by an institution of higher education with experience in automated vehicle (AV) research and rural and Tribal transportation.

Proposals should include a consortium of two or more nonprofit institutions of higher education. Additional consortium members may include state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) departments of transportation and/or departments of public works; metropolitan and regional planning organizations; private sector agencies; the philanthropic sector; and nonprofit organizations.

Award ceiling:

• $15,000,000 for mobility of people
• $10,000,000 for movement of freight

Project period: Up to 6 years
Estimated number of awards: 2
Estimated total program funding: $25,000,000

A 50% cost match is required.

Links to the full announcement and online application process are available through grants.gov. The application instructions will be found on the related documents tab.