The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration is accepting applications for grants to advance connected and interoperable-vehicle technologies.

It said the $40 million Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment program is focused on road safety, mobility and efficiency through technology that allows vehicles and wireless devices to communicate with each other and with roadside infrastructure. V2X is short for "vehicle-to-everything."

The program is intended to support the Safe System Approach of the department's National Roadway Safety Strategy launched last year to tackle the issue of roadway fatalities.

“We can and must use all the tools at our disposal to reduce the devastating loss of life on our nation’s roadways, and technology has a big role to play in that effort,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “Connected vehicle technology has the potential to save lives, and we are proud to provide this funding to help accelerate its development.”   

The grant program aims to advance the potential of V2X communication while ensuring secure and interference-free connectivity across devices and platforms. V2X connectivity can incorporate various wireless technologies for communication between mobile, in-vehicle, and roadside devices, according to the department.

“V2X connectivity is a critical transformational technology that not only advances safety but also enhances mobility and efficiency,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt in a statement. “Accelerating V2X deployment now is a crucial step toward saving lives with connectivity. We’re working to make sure that no matter where you drive—truly reliable and seamless connectivity will be in place.”

The department's Federal Highway Administration will consider technological, economic and policy strategies to chart a path toward nationwide interoperable connectivity.

Click here for more information on the Notice of Funding Opportunity.