U.S. DOT FY 2026 Phase I Pre-Solicitation Q&A
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36 results found
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The Complete Trip includes “plan for and pay for a trip”.
The Complete Trip includes “plan for and pay for a trip.” Does Phase I require a functional payment integration (e.g., transit fare payment via API), or is a payment feasibility assessment and architecture design for Phase II implementation sufficient?
2 votes -
Clarification on Transportation Readiness Pathways Within Transportation Participation Ecosystems
For Topic 26 FT1, can transportation readiness pathways, including pathways that support progression toward transportation independence, be considered part of broader transportation participation ecosystems when functioning as supplemental AI Infrastructure support to Complete Trip objectives?
1 vote -
26-FT1, Agency Facing Decision Support
For Topic 26-FT1, is an agency-facing decision-support or scenario-planning component considered responsive if it directly supports improved traveler-facing Complete Trip outcomes?
2 votes -
What are the “unspoken” expectations of the agency for this topic?
What are the “unspoken” expectations of the agency; for example, whether the solution should already exist or just be proposed? Also, what are agency expectations around adherence to previous work and studies listed in the References e.g "Mobility Data – Standards and Specifications for Interoperability (FTA/CUTR Project)"
https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/2024-08/FTA-Report-No-267.pdf < is it strict or somewhat?1 vote -
Phase 1 Technical Requirement & MVP
Does Phase 1 require a working payment integration, or is a feasibility/architecture plan enough? Is an end-to-end MVP expected at Phase 1, meaning from start of discovery, wayfinding, booking, payment of transit on the app?
1 vote -
Functionality expected in Phase 1 vs Phase 2?
What level of functionality is expected in Phase 1 versus Phase 2?
1 vote -
Clarify all the types of data AI should use / leverage
Is the AI meant to use only travel-related data, or also things like weather, delays, roadblocks, or other external conditions?
1 vote -
What kinds of data or signals are expected to power the AI?
What kinds of data or signals are expected to power the AI?
1 vote -
Clarify “travel confidently” in practical terms?
What does “travel confidently” mean in practical terms?
1 vote -
Purpose of AI-powered App
What exactly is the app trying to help users do — plan a full trip across multiple modes of transportation, multi-jurisdictions?
1 vote -
Does “carefree complete trip planning” include
fare payment,
disruption management,
first/last mile coordination,
paratransit,
micromobility,
and accessibility accommodations?
infrequent riders?1 vote -
Are there target rider populations the agency especially wants addressed?
seniors,
low-income riders,
non-English speakers,
riders with disabilities,
rural users,
tourists,
infrequent riders?1 vote -
Is the agency more interested in:
Is the agency more interested in:
- reducing rider friction,
- increasing ridership,
- improving equity,
- reducing operational costs,
- or modernizing customer experience?1 vote -
Complete Street Scoping
For Topic 26-FT1, the solicitation states that the tool must empower travelers “across each segment of the Complete Trip,” including “trip planning and payment” and “enroute navigation support across the streetscapes, transit stations and vehicles.” For Phase I, should all listed Complete Trip segments and enroute environments receive equal focus in the proof-of-concept system design, or may the design give greater focus to barriers and/or environments that supporting research identifies as more burdensome to completing the trip?
1 vote -
Transportation adjacent data sources
For Topic 26-FT1, are the examples of “transportation-adjacent sources” listed in the solicitation illustrative rather than exhaustive, such that Phase I proposers may identify and assess additional relevant data sources that support Complete Trip decision-making and enroute navigation?
1 vote -
Technical Scope: Operational Resilience and HCBS for 26-FT1
For Topic 26-FT1, does the FTA consider AI-enabled solutions that predict and mitigate operational service interruptions—specifically in-cabin hygiene (bio-load) detection and predictive vehicle maintenance for specialized I/DD fleets—to be within the technical scope of 'Person-Centered, Carefree' planning?
As these technologies directly automate the 'individualized back-up plans' required by the CMS HCBS Person-Centered Mandate (42 CFR 441.301) to ensure reliable community access, we wish to confirm if such 'operational resilience' innovations are viewed as a priority for achieving the 'Complete Trip' goal for underserved disability communities.
1 vote -
1 vote
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1 vote
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1 vote
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1 vote