Connected and Automated Vehicles


​​Funding​

​The F​​ederal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law​​​​​ (BIL)​

BIL was signed into law on November 15, 2021, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​and authorized major new investments in transportation and other public works. Several new categories of funding may assist in modernizing transportation systems to realize the benefits of CAV technologies and some existing programs have been modified to support CAV technology projects or research.  The following links provide a place to start learning about these funding opportunities. WisDOT can also assist with letters of support for grant opportunities.

​

​Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) main funding webpage has tips for communities on the application process and links to federal resources available through other programs, including the Local Programs.​

US DOT areas of funding related to CAVs

SMART grants - Strengthening Mobility And Revolutionizing Transportation Grant Program

Emerging Technology Research Pilot Program - Improve transportation infrastructure design 

US DOT Highway Research and Development Program - Emerging transformative innovations and new transportation technologies

Advanced Transportation Technologies Deployment Program - Innovative Mobility Deployment

Center of Excellence on New Mobility and Automated Vehicles - Impacts of new mobility and highly automated vehicles

Federal discretionary fund programs 

The U.S. Department of Transportation and other agencies award federal discretionary grants to eligible applicants through a highly-competitive nationwide process based on qualifications and merit. Applications are submitted via grants.gov​ to the federal agency offering the grant.​ WisDOT would like to help communities make quality investments and build a 21st century transportation system.

Review Wisconsin's Discretionary Grant Opportunities page for currently available discretionary funding opportunities, how to apply for a federal grant, grant writing resources, and how to request​ a Letter of Support from WisDOT.

​For more information, contact:​
Local programs:​
​​Chris Brooks, BIL Primary Point of Contact ​(608) 267-3611, christopher.brooks1@dot.wi.gov​

Discretionary funds:
​​Jessica L. ​Wagner, WisDOT Federal Discretionary Fund Coordinator​​ (608) 267-6979, jessical.wagner@dot.wi.gov​


WisDOT managed funding programs

Law enforcement traffic safety grants:
​​
The Bureau of Transportation Safety (BOTS) administers federally funded overtime traffic safety grants to local law enforcement agencies each year. The overtime grants are awarded to agencies through data driven targeting processes. The targeting process reviews crash data from the previous year to determine what areas have a traffic safety problem. The process is used to determine traffic safety concerns such as alcohol use, speed and lack of seat belt use. BOTS Regional Program Managers will contact law enforcement agencies if they are targeted for a specific grant.
BOTS also provides grants to agencies that are not targeted but are part of a task force in their area. 

Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP):
​
The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)​ funds highway safety projects at sites that have experienced a high crash history. Emphasis is on low-cost options that can be implemented quickly.
The overall objective of HSIP is to develop and implement, on a continuing basis, stand-alone safety projects designed to reduce the number and severity of crashes on all streets and highways (state and local). The federal funding ratio for HSIP funds is usually 90%, requiring a 10% match of state and/or local funds. Community Maps is a tool that provides a statewide map of all police reported motor vehicle crashes from 2010 to the current year.