The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced that it has unveiled a $25 million funding opportunity for its Rural Autonomous Vehicle (RAV) research programme. Accredited universities across the nation are invited to vie for this competitive six-year co-operative agreement program.
The initiative, announced by Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and Chief Scientist, seeks to explore the benefits and responsible application of automated vehicles and associated mobility technologies in rural and Tribal communities. The funding will be divided into two substantial awards, with $15 million allocated for passenger transportation research and an additional $10 million dedicated to advancing the movement of freight in rural areas.
