FTA is making available $29 million in competitive research funds for innovative public transportation projects that will help agencies strengthen operational safety, better withstand natural disasters and other emergencies, and improve emergency response capabilities.

“The American people are counting on us to deliver a safe and efficient transportation system that they can depend on day after day,” said DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx. “That requires us to continue investing in new and better ways to keep transit as safe as possible while also ensuring that rail and bus lines can recover quickly after a disaster strikes and continue serving the millions of riders who rely on them.”

This is the first time that FTA has dedicated funds available through its Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment Program to implementing market-ready solutions specifically designed to strengthen safety and improve public transit system resiliency.

“For the first time in FTA’s history, we’re calling on the transit industry, the private sector, universities, and others to work with us to develop and implement innovative solutions that reflect our commitment to safety and bringing transit facilities into a state of good repair,” said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff. “This will translate into real-world improvements that protect riders and taxpayers alike.”

FTA will consider funding proposals in three areas:

• Operational Safety: projects that develop and demonstrate new or improved technologies, methods, and practices that will increase the operational safety of public transportation services.

• Resiliency: projects that increase the resilience and robustness of public transportation systems so they can better withstand natural disasters and other externally caused emergencies.

• All-Hazards Emergency Response and Recovery: projects to improve communications with emergency responders and demonstrate promising methods for restoring public transit service in the wake of a major disruption.

The $29 million combines FTA research funds from Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013. FTA expects to announce projects selected for funding in 2014.

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