The Massachusetts Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division has received a $1 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration's Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration Program. The funding, provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support the second phase of a three-phase project involving drones. The goal of the project is to develop a "digital software systems infrastructure," according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
Phase one of the project was supported by an Accelerated Innovation Deployment grant in 2021, along with $250,000 in additional funding. "The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division is recognized as being a leader in the use of drones for tasks of the Highway Division and the funding from this second phase of the AID grant will give us a unique opportunity to improve and expand digital software systems for drones," said Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Transportation Secretary and CEO. The new funding will help Massachusetts Department of Transportation improve its data collection and sharing using drones, allowing for better planning and decision-making in the Highway Division.
Quentin Palfrey, Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure, expressed appreciation to the Biden-Harris administration for the funding "will help streamline critical processes across our transportation system, allowing us to more quickly advance projects that improve our infrastructure." These projects, such as bridge inspections and asset mapping, are designed to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said, "The Highway Division looks forward to an active partnership because this MassDOT Aeronautics project works to make surface transportation safer, more responsive to public needs and more adaptable to new technologies." The state's infrastructure investments aim to enhance equity, mobility, and climate resilience.
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