FMCSA awards nearly $81 million in high-priority safety grants

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has awarded almost $81 million in grants via its High Priority Grant Program.

The program provides funding for initiatives aimed at strengthening commercial motor vehicle safety under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. It also invests in innovative technology, research and other projects that enhance CMV safety. Groups eligible for the funding include state and local governments, Native American tribes, political jurisdictions, nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education.

Activities and projects include:

• Improving the safe and secure movement of hazardous materials.
• Improving safe transportation of goods and people in foreign commerce.
• Demonstrating new technologies to improve CMV safety.
• Advancing technology to enhance CMV operator awareness of roadway hazards and truck parking availability.
• Supporting participation in performance and registration information systems management.
• Conducting safety data improvement projects.
• Increasing public awareness and education on CMV safety.
• Targeting unsafe driving of CMVs in areas identified as high-risk crash corridors, including roadway work zones.
• Improving CMV safety and compliance with CMV safety regulations.

Nearly $43 million of the grant funding was awarded to 63 high-priority CMV safety-related activities and projects, while 35 grants totaling nearly $38 million were awarded via FMCSA’s HP Innovative Technology Deployment Program.