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Written by

Erika Young

Published on

December 9, 2015

On December 7, 2015, US DOT launched their new opportunity, the Smart City Challenge. This new grant opportunity is a competition intended primarily for mid-size cities, but cities of all sizes may apply. The program is a 3-year program designed to

  • Encourage cities to put forward their best and most creative ideas for innovation and addressing challenges they face, and
  • Address how emerging transportation data, technologies, and applications can be integrated with existing systems, and how these ITS technologies and approaches reduce, congestions, safety for travelers, protect the environment, respond to climate change, connect underserved communities and support economic vitality.

The Smart City Challenge has two phases:

Phase 1 supports concept development and planning activities and requires a 30-page application. Each of the 5 finalist cities selected will receive $100,000 to help them with their final application.

Phase 2 supports the implementation of the finalist city’s proposed demonstration. The winner of this phase will receive $50 million to implement their winning plan.

Critical Deadlines:

February 4, 2016 @ 3PM – First-round application due through grants.gov

March 2016 – 5 Smart City Challenge finalists announced and USDOT solicits applications from the finalists for Smart City Challenge implementation application

May 2016 – Second-round applications due from finalists

June 2016 – Smart City Challenge implementation awardee announced

What is US DOT looking for when selecting cities for the Smart City Challenge?

US DOT is looking for cities with a municipal population of between 200,000 and 850,000, based on the current US Census; has the density of a typical urban population; and, represents a significant proportion of its regional population (more than 15%).  In addition, US DOT is looking for an environment conducive to the demonstration of advanced technologies (including a commitment to making data open), a commitment to integrating transportation services with the sharing economy, and has an existing public transportation system.

US DOT’s highest priority with respect to technology elements includes urban automation; connected vehicles; and intelligent, sensor-based infrastructure. The Second level priority includes innovative approaches to urban transportation elements, urban analytics, user-focused mobility services, urban delivery/logistics, strategic business, models/partnering, smart grid, roadway electrification & EVs, and connected citizens. Finally are the Smart City elements. These include architect and standards, smart land use, low cost, efficient secure and resilient ICT.

US DOT will evaluate applications based on the following technical merit criteria, which are also contained in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO):

  • Degree that the proposed city and demonstration site align with the USDOT’s Desired Characteristics, relevant to: (i) population size, (ii) population density, (iii) population share of urbanized area; (iv) an existing public transportation system, (v) environment conducive to demonstrating proposed strategies; and (vi) continuity of committed leadership and capacity to carry out the demonstration throughout the period of performance, (vii) commitment to integrating with the sharing economy; and (viii) commitment to making open, machine-readable data accessible, discoverable and usable by the public to fuel entrepreneurship and innovation.
  • Demonstration of a sound, innovative, integrated, and holistic vision of the applicant’s Smart City program consistent with the USDOT’s goals and twelve vision elements as defined in Section A.
  • Extent that the applicant’s vision and goals address issues identified in Beyond Traffic 2045.
  • Likelihood of success in implementing the demonstration, including commitment from public and private sectors, and technical capability to perform.
  • The Government will then select the estimated five applications that are considered the most advantageous to the Government based on the evaluation of technical merit.

US DOT will conduct several outreach sessions to inform interested parties about the Smart City Challenge, they include an in-person forum on 12/15/15 @ USDOT, as well as several webcasts on specific aspects of the competition.