FY 2025 Bus Safety and Accessibility Research Competitive Program

Background
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $10 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 for projects that enhance mobility innovation for transit under the Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. 5312).

The strategic goal of this program is to make existing and new buses safer for their operators and vulnerable road users, and safer and more accessible for their passengers. The Bus Safety and Accessibility Research Program seeks proposals to research standard bus designs, safety innovations and systems, and bus compartments that support these safety and accessibility goals. This program aims to develop detailed design specifications and produce a prototype that can be retrofitted on existing buses or installed in new buses.

Grant Details
The Bus Safety and Accessibility Research Program focuses on several key areas:
1. Driver Safety Systems - Enhancements to protect operators and improve safety for vulnerable road users (VRUs).
2. Passenger Safety Systems - Innovations aimed at increasing accessibility for passengers.
3. Proposals must demonstrate collaboration across multiple sectors including transit vehicle manufacturers, transit agencies, labor unions, disability organizations, and research groups.
4. Deliverables should be applicable to current 35- and 40-foot bus models that comply with federal requirements.
5. The program emphasizes partnerships, economic vitality, and the need for widely implementable solutions that can be adopted quickly across various jurisdictions.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include departments, agencies, instrumentalities of the Federal Government; state and local governmental entities; providers of public transportation; private or non-profit organizations; institutions of higher education; and technical/community colleges. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility and capacity to manage federal funds.

Period of Performance
The maximum period of performance allowed for the work covered by the award should not exceed two years from the date of award.

Grant Value
$10 million is available under this program, with potential additional funds made available prior to project selection.

Place of Performance
Projects may be performed in various locations as determined by the applicants' proposals.