Grants
will help create new transportation solutions for seniors, persons with
disabilities and veterans
 Pictured above (left to right): Kirk Steudle, director, Michigan Department of Transportation, Gov. Rick Snyder, Trevor Pawl, group vice president, PlanetM, Jeff Mason, CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
As one of
the first states to allow self-driving vehicles on public roadways, Michigan is
a national leader in connected and automated vehicle (CAV) projects.
On May
30, Gov. Rick Snyder announced an $8 Million Michigan Mobility Challenge
grant initiative to address core mobility gaps for seniors, persons with
disabilities and veterans across the state.
“As
residents change the way they live, travel and use services, many of the
technologies that are changing the transportation industry will be designed,
tested and created in Michigan,” Snyder said. “The $8 Million Michigan Mobility
Challenge provides an opportunity to deliver innovative transportation
solutions and further position the state as a leader in startup testing and
deployment.”
The $8
Million Michigan Mobility Challenge will engage the state’s robust technology,
start-up and transportation networks – along with service providers, advocacy
groups and state agencies, including the Michigan Department of Transportation,
Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Department of Health and Human
Services, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Bureau of Services
to Blind Persons.
Michigan Mobility
Challenge grants will be awarded to fund the demonstration of multiple projects
of varying size based on pilot submissions and proposed service areas. The
grants will be used to subsidize a portion of the cost to plan, deliver and
monitor the demonstration services for a three- to six-month period, with the
remaining costs being covered from fares, local contributions and other funds.
“As the
needs of residents change, we must develop creative solutions for addressing
transit and infrastructure gaps that evolve with geographical shifts,” said
Kirk Steudle, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation. “The $ 8
Million Michigan Mobility Challenge allows us to use the assets we have and
introduce new methods for getting travelers to their destinations as safely and
efficiently as possible."
An RFP will be issued
June 4, 2018, at which point teams can submit their proposals for
consideration. The first round of projects are slated to be introduced in
target communities by fall 2018. For more
information about the $8 Million Michigan Mobility Challenge, please visit: www.michigan.gov/mobilitychallenge.
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