MnDOT News Release : Connected and Automated Vehicles Challenge
Content from http://www.dot.state.mn.us/newsrels/18/10/15-avc.html
MnDOT invites innovative proposals for Connected and Automated Vehicles Challenge
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is seeking proposals from industry and transportation partners for innovative project ideas with the potential to advance connected and automated vehicle technologies in the state.
“This is an exciting time for emerging connected and automated vehicle technologies to be developed, tested and demonstrated in the state,” said Commissioner Charlie Zelle. “We know there are many innovative companies and individuals who are working on this and we want to hear their ideas so together we can solve the technology, policy, equity and social challenges associated with this transportation evolution.”
This Minnesota CAV Challenge is an open, ongoing request to allow proposals to be submitted at any time. MnDOT anticipates several contracts will be awarded, depending on the size of projects submitted and available funding.
Funding for this fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2019, is $2 million. Funding for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 will be $3.5 million each year.
Specific project goals include:
- Leverage public-private partnerships to advance transportation opportunities using CAV
- Prepare Minnesota’s infrastructure, policy and workforce for CAV
- Allow private industry opportunities to test and deploy advancing CAV technologies
- Allow the public to better understand the benefits and limitations of CAV technology and provide opportunities for them to give input, experience the technology first hand and provide feedback
- Accelerate implementation of CAV technology in Minnesota
To view the Request for Proposal document, which includes instruction on how to submit ideas, go to www.mndot.gov/consult/notices.html
MnDOT will review proposals every two months. Deadline for submitting proposals for the first cycle is Nov. 16. The second and third cycle deadlines are Jan. 18, 2019 and March 15, 2019.
Persons interested in submitting proposals can request a pre-proposal meeting with MnDOT to discuss their ideas in person or by phone before making the proposal. The meeting serves as a way to receive feedback and discuss the project concept, potential merits, risks and value.
To request a pre-proposal meeting before the Jan. 18, 2019 deadline or to ask questions about the process, contact Ron Bisek at Ron.Bisek@state.mn.us. All questions and answers will be posted on MnDOT’s consultant services web page. For more information go to MnDOT’s CAV website.
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