Mid City Times

Fort Worth sole Texas city to receive $2 million grant funding

On April 17, 2024, the City of Fort Worth, in partnership with the North Central Texas Council of Governments, has secured a significant victory in the form of a $2 million grant. This funding comes as part of the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants program, with Fort Worth being the only Texas city to receive such a grant.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) has recognized Fort Worth as one of the 34 recipients of the Fiscal Year 2023 Planning and Prototyping Grants. This grant will enable Fort Worth to pilot low altitude weather sensors on freight routes used by autonomous vehicles (AV), aiming to enhance safety and trip reliability in the face of changing environmental conditions.

The importance of this project lies in its potential to address the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions on AV performance and safety. Severe weather phenomena like heavy rainfall and dense fog can compromise the accuracy of vehicle sensors, impacting overall performance during hazardous road weather conditions. By implementing microclimate sensors that provide real-time localized weather data, AVs can better adapt to varying weather conditions and make informed decisions to improve operational safety and reliability.

Looking back at a tragic incident in the winter of 2021, where a vehicle pileup occurred on Interstate 35 in Fort Worth due to icy conditions, the necessity for advanced weather sensors becomes even more apparent. The incident, which involved 130 vehicles including cars, trucks, and 18-wheelers, resulted in six fatalities and multiple injuries. Many of the 18-wheelers involved were en route to the Intermodal Truck Depot at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport for regional distribution. It is noted that such a disaster could have been preventable with the presence of appropriate weather sensors to alert drivers of the impending danger.

The grant funding received by Fort Worth represents a significant step towards leveraging technology to enhance transportation safety and efficiency, ultimately contributing to a more secure and reliable mobility landscape.