Summary:

The purpose of this program is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses by supporting innovative and impactful projects that advance the technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation systems applications for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators, including CMV, commercial driver, and carrier-specific information systems and networks. The program will also support/maintain CMV information systems/networks to:

• Link federal motor carrier safety information systems with state CMV systems
• Improve safety and productivity of CMVs and commercial drivers
• Reduce costs associated with CMV operations and regulatory requirements

Funds may be used for:

• Deployment and development of new and innovative advanced technology solutions that support CMV information systems and networks
• Planning activities, including the development or updating of program or top-level design plans in order to become eligible or maintain eligibility for awards under this program
• Operation and maintenance costs associated with innovative technology

In particular, projects may include the following programmatic activities in descending order of priority:

• Projects that will support eligible state agencies to meet core compliance requirements
• Projects that safely demonstrate real-time dissemination to CMV drivers of parking space availability by using dynamic message signs, interactive voice recognition, smartphone app, or other proven technology
• Projects that deploy or maintain a work zone, incident, or traffic queue electronic notification system that will inform the driver within the cab of the CMV of an active work zone, traffic congestion, or an incident ahead
• Projects that deploy electronic screening technology used in detecting vehicle out-of-service (OOS) issues
• Projects that improve credentialing data quality between the state and the funding agency’s Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system
• Projects that implement technologies associated with the deployment of electronic inspection capabilities of CMVs
• Projects that conduct a model deployment of enhanced data sharing via the Commercial Vehicle Information Exchange Window (CVIEW)/SAFER interface amongst other jurisdictions that would minimize delays of safe and legal trucks as they cross state borders
• Projects that implement or enhance technologies associated with the funding agency's information technology (IT) modernization initiatives

Refer to pages 6-7 of the OldNOFA file for additional information regarding the eligible programmatic activities listed above. Refer to pages 75-79 and 131-142 of the OldGuide file for information regarding additional eligible activities and costs. Any proposed innovative technology solutions that are not listed in the OldGuide file may be considered if the project is in the approved program plan/top-level design (PP/TLD). All projects must also include evaluation activities.

All projects must be in alignment with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT's) strategic goals and the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS), as detailed on pages 3-4 of the OldNOFA file. In addition, where appropriate, applicants should demonstrate how the proposed project will address the objectives of climate change/sustainability outlined in Executive Order 14008 and support/advance equity in transportation, particularly in underserved communities, as outlined in Executive Order 13985.

Eligible cost categories include personnel costs, fringe benefits, travel costs, equipment, supplies, contractual costs, subrecipient costs, other direct costs, and indirect costs.

An optional webinar is scheduled for this program. Refer to the Application section for details.

Program information detailed throughout this module was prepared using information from a previous fiscal year, as well as the preliminary program announcement, and should be used for reference purposes only. eCivis Grants Network will be updated with additional information upon the availability of the full program announcement.