The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plans to allot more than $80 million in grant funds for roadway safety by expanding truck parking and investing in technology, the agency announced.
The High Priority grants from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act include a 65% year-over-year increase in funding for truck parking and other safety efforts by funding projects such as:
- Dynamic message signs along highways in Kentucky, Delaware, and Indiana to help drivers locate available rest area parking spaces in real time
- Research to support automated, location-based driver alerts via electronic logging devices that inform drivers of upcoming work zones
- Enhancement of electronic screening technologies to detect vehicle violations (such as automated license plate readers, USDOT number readers, tire monitoring systems, and hazardous materials placard readers)
- Outreach and education to combat human trafficking
FMCSA to award $48M for CDL programs
FMCSA will also award approximately $48 million in grants to states and other entities to operate CDL programs, the agency announced.
The agency will award over $44 million via the Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) grant, which will help states expedite CDL issuance and renewals and ensure states electronically exchange conviction and disqualification data. Additionally, it will implement safety measures supporting the National Roadway Safety Strategy and develop human trafficking outreach and education materials for CDL drivers.
Examples of projects funded include hiring state personnel to reduce CDL skills testing delays, improving CDL reporting, maintaining accurate driver records, and training CDL skills test examiners.
Another $3 million from Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training grant (CMVOST), enacted under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will also be awarded.
“This essential funding provided through the CMVOST grant program will help expand and diversify the pool of trained drivers, with an important focus on attracting Veterans and individuals from underserved and refugee communities,” said FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson. “We’re proud that these grants are giving priority to current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard, Reservists, and their family members, to pursue a commercial driver’s license.”
