The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced the availability of approximately $5.1 million in competitive grant funds to support a new research initiative that will demonstrate advanced digital construction management tools to improve the management of transit construction projects. FTA’s Accelerating Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems program will promote field-tested advanced digital platforms to deliver transit projects faster and cheaper.

“We’re proud to support construction technology that helps communities build transit projects more quickly,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This new initiative is another way the Biden Administration is helping agencies deliver infrastructure improvements on time, on-task, and on budget.”

The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law highlighted the potential of advanced digital construction management systems to improve how transit agencies deliver capital projects by providing a platform that tracks all phases of construction.

“Our goal is to help agencies deliver projects on time and under budget,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “This grant will help us do just that. These advanced platforms are all about efficiency and provide comprehensive tools that will allow transit agencies to complete projects more seamlessly.”

Eligible grant applicants include transit agencies, private for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, state or local government entities, and academic institutions. The successful applicant will identify and demonstrate at least two advanced digital construction management systems and work with transit agencies to document best practices for applying the advanced digital construction management tools for transit construction projects.

In July, DOT launched the Project Delivery Center of Excellence to help recipients of federal infrastructure funds deliver projects more efficiently and effectively, from concept to completion. The Center will serve as a central resource for innovative practices and will bring project managers together to enable knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning. Applications must be submitted online through grants.gov and are due by February 10, 2024.