SPI Insights

Government contracting is making significant moves to include intelligent technology in upcoming projects

Just months ago, the U.S. Senate authorized the largest five-year research and development budget in U.S. history. The $250 billion investment marks a monumental increase in federal support for projects that deploy smart city technology.

To no surprise, state and local public officials are enthusiastic about launching these types of projects. Technology that is especially attractive includes artificial intelligence (AI), advanced communications, energy efficiency, and data collection related to various types of Internet of Things (IoT) technology. For at least the next five years, federal funding is expected to continue to flow for technologies that increase efficiency, enhance public safety, provide resilience, and promote renewable energy and clean air.

Earlier this month, the Federal Highway Administration distributed more than $45 million in funding for intelligent transportation system projects in ten different states. The Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) grants are designed to be used for transportation infrastructure projects. The funding is available for DOTs in every state.

Washington state received $5.1 million in ATCMTD funding recently for a project to increase reliability and efficiency for the state’s ferry services. The funding will be used to develop a sophisticated new terminal wait time system that provides greater reliability. The objective is to install a new system and to use advanced technologies to monitor and report real-time traffic data.

State leaders in Maryland will invest in similar types of technologies to enhance the efficient management of state buildings. In 2023, the state’s Department of General Services (DGS) will begin building out an operations center that deploys artificial intelligence software, algorithms, and historical data capture methods to forecast conditions of state facilities and state equipment over time. Maryland’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year indicates that DGS has been allocated $7 million for the Center. Most of the funding is earmarked for the procurement of building hardware, software development, and licensing for an expanded Computer Maintenance Management System. This type of funding is available for other state and local governmental entities.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Midtown Bus Terminal project will spend between $7.5 billion and $10 billion on a new terminal that will rely on artificial intelligence. The advanced technology will enable more centralized and responsive management of regional bus operations. Once the project’s permitting phase is completed next year, the massive project will be set to enter construction in 2024.

Earlier this month, the city of St. Augustine, Florida, was awarded a $12 million federal grant for smart transportation technology to help reduce congestion, improve safety, and promote sustainability. The funding will be used to support the city’s plan to purchase new technology enhancements and begin launching procurements in early 2023.

City leaders in Houston are adopting IoT technology to enhance local public safety resources. In 2023, the city will transition to a network-based fire station alerting system. The plan is for the new system to integrate new features like lighting, speaker, and security technology for alerts. The advanced alerting system will also interface with Houston Emergency Center’s dispatch system to ensure coordinated responses to potential citywide emergencies.

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, officials are adopting new intelligent transportation technology to facilitate an expected surge in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on local roadways. An integrated, smart transportation management system will create a citywide traffic monitoring network that uses real-time data to guide EV drivers to their nearest available charging stations. Establishing this end-to-end decision support system is expected to cost a total of $9.2 million.

Technological innovations are also helping to build smarter counties. In Hawaii’s Maui County, an urgent road extension project will include an intelligent transportation system. The project will also extend a prominent roadway by more than 8,500 feet and extend broadband connectivity. Maui County’s use of smart technology is not only expected to reduce congestion but also improve safety. The project’s $34 million budget is backed by funds from federal, state, and county sources.

Intelligent technologies of all types are being promoted by funding availability. Future projects of all types will likely include multiple types of intelligent technology.