U.S. DOT FY 2026 Phase I Pre-Solicitation Q&A
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229 results found
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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?
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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 -
Operational Recommendations
For Topic 26-FH1, the solicitation refers both to location-specific advisories and to suggesting better traffic operation strategies to a Transportation Management Center. May “operational recommendations” include preventive or operator-facing strategies intended to reduce congestion formation before it propagates, in addition to immediate location-specific advisories delivered to vehicles within an impacted zone?
1 vote -
Clarify “travel confidently” in practical terms?
What does “travel confidently” mean in practical terms?
1 vote -
Diverse Local Traffic Data Clarification
For Topic 26-FH1, the solicitation refers to “diverse local traffic data.” Can FHWA clarify whether this phrase is limited to traditional traffic operations data, such as vehicle detectors, connected vehicle data, signal data, and third-party traffic feeds, or whether proposers may define a broader set of transportation-relevant local data sources, provided they explain how those sources support congestion detection, prediction, impact-zone definition, or mitigation strategy generation?
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 -
Is there a real requirement for both bidirectional regen and dissipative load based solutions?
At this scale, it doubles cost. If emergency use only, is resistive based loads more than adequate?
I also want to know if there is a desire to do battery pack diagnostics during the discharge process (bad sub-module or other)?
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