MoDOT Seeks Proposals for ‘Smart Highways’

According to a press release from MoDOT, as a part of its “Road to Tomorrow” initiative, the Missouri Department of Transportation is seeking proposals for a pilot project, to incorporate innovative technology into a Missouri roadway that potentially could generate new revenue streams for transportation.

            The project will evaluate if “smart pavement” can make roads sustainably self-funded by providing value-added wireless services to support mobile connectivity and next-generation electric, connected and autonomous vehicles.

            “We want to see if interstate travelways can become a platform to generate revenue through the collection and transmission of technology and data services,” Road to Tomorrow Team Lead Tom Blair said.

            Proposals are due October 31, 2016, and MoDOT hopes to select a best-value proposer in early 2017.

MoDOT’s “Road to Tomorrow” initiative aims to develop public-private partnerships to look at new and innovative ways to fund Missouri’s transportation infrastructure. Another pilot project to evaluate “solar roadways” begins before snow flies at the Conway Welcome Center on Interstate 44.

            MoDOT’s Kansas City District will lead the effort. For more information, contact Kansas City Assistant District Engineer Brian Kidwell at 816-607-2282.