Tribal Transportation Safety Strategy Pilot Program
A $2 million grant will fund a university-led consortium to use AI and strategic planning to reduce traffic deaths and build safety infrastructure in Tribal communities over three years.
Funder: 69A355 Research and Technology
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: $2,000,000 total; one award; project duration up to 3 years; cost sharing/match required
Summary: Supports a university-led consortium to develop and pilot innovative transportation safety strategies for Tribal communities, focusing on reducing traffic fatalities among American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
Key Information: Forecasted opportunity; eligibility requires collaboration with Tribal entities and demonstrated Tribal traffic safety expertise.
Description
This forecasted program from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R) will fund a university-led consortium to address the disproportionately high rate of traffic fatalities among American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations. The initiative will span three years and aims to:
- Develop a next-generation strategic safety plan for Tribal transportation.
- Leverage artificial intelligence for risk-based safety analysis.
- Pilot a low-cost, high-impact safety infrastructure demonstration in at least one federally recognized Tribal community.
The program emphasizes collaboration between academia, Tribal governments, transportation agencies, and both non-profit and for-profit organizations with proven expertise and relationships in Tribal traffic safety.
