U.S. DOT FY 2026 Phase I Pre-Solicitation Q&A
- To create a new account or to sign in with an existing account please click on “sign in” located at the top right of the page
- A new pop-up window will open to make a selection, you can use an existing Google or Facebook account to access the site or you might select to create a new account.
- If you choose to access UserVoice with an existing Google or Microsoft account, you will be required to enter your login credentials for Google or Microsoft and agree to terms of service
- If you need to create a new account, click "Create an Account" underneath the password box
- In the next screen, type in the e-mail and click "Verify E-mail".
- Navigate to your inbox and click the link within the e-mail to verify. The link will be generated by noreply@trymagic.com
- That link will be live for 20 minutes. Once that time elapses, you will have to request another one
- Navigate back to UserVoice, and you will need to provide your name, a password, and agree to terms of service and storage permissions. Click "Create Account".
- Select the research topic your question is related to from the drop-down menu that appears when you begin typing.
- You may add more detail in the Description box (optional). Do NOT attach any files. The U.S. DOT shall not consider any submitted materials other than questions.
- Enter your e-mail address and password.
- When finished, select “Post idea.” If you registered, you will be able to track responses to your post. Please include only one question or comment per post to help us keep the forum organized.
229 results found
-
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 -
Clarification on Complete Trip Supplemental AI Support Systems
For Topic 26 FT1, would AI systems that help people overcome barriers to transportation participation, improve transportation readiness, and coordinate transportation planning and scheduling be considered within scope if they support Complete Trip objectives as a supplemental tool?
1 vote -
Corridor Segment Scope
For Topic 26-OS2, may applicants focus Phase I on a defined operational segment, freight bottleneck, port-to-inland route, intermodal connector, or recurring freight lane, or is DOT expecting an entire interstate corridor?
1 vote -
Private-Sector Use Case
For Topic 26-OS2, may a private-sector freight operator, logistics provider, or transportation management environment serve as the primary Phase I use case if the solution is designed for future integration with public-sector corridor management systems?
1 vote -
Model Baseline and Delay Definition
For Topic 26-OS2, should applicants compare the predictive model against a specific baseline and use a preferred definition of “freight delay,” such as travel time increase, missed delivery window, dwell time, congestion probability, or route deviation?
1 vote -
Corridor Type and Scale
For Topic 26-OS2, does DOT have a preferred type or scale of Phase I corridor, such as urban, rural, intermodal, port-related, manufacturing, cross-border-adjacent, or nationally significant interstate freight corridors?
1 vote -
International Trade Corridor Impacts
For Topic 26-OS2, may a Phase I proof of concept account for Canada/Mexico border-adjacent congestion, customs-related dwell time, or cross-border freight disruption variables if the model remains focused on a selected U.S. freight corridor or segment?
1 vote -
Interoperability / Architecture
For Topic 26-OS2, are there preferred interoperability standards, data schemas, APIs, geospatial formats, or architecture expectations for compatibility with State DOT systems, commercial telematics platforms, freight carrier systems, and visualization tools such as ArcGIS, Power BI, or Tableau?
1 vote -
Synthetic / Simulated Data
For Topic 26-OS2, may Phase I applicants use synthetic freight datasets or simulated corridor conditions when live operational data is not yet available, provided the proposal documents assumptions, limitations, and a validation approach?
1 vote -
Catch Basin Observation system requirements
Is it required that the catch basin observation sensor-package base station be attached to a human operated vehicle? Are the the crash atenuator and sensor boom strictly necessary, or are other solutions to measuring catch-basin water, sediment, trash levels, and conditions such as clogging and
stormwater ponding- acceptable?1 vote -
1 vote
-
26-PH2 mentions " it may consider ceramic-based coatings, polymer composites, or nanoenhanced paints that would integrate temperature-sensi
it may consider ceramic-based coatings, polymer composites, or nanoenhanced paints that would integrate temperature-sensitive pigments... The topic clearly talks about color changing but are changes in surface character such as roughness also in scope for response? Also, is there any degree of "Resolution"? Are 50F increments adequate? Also is peak temperature indication important or is the only interest "Current" temperature?
1 vote -
App requirements
- Is the app expected to be a mobile app, a web app, a voice assistant, or it is up to the proposer?
- Is there an expectation of the app working in offline mode?
- Should it include step-by-step navigation support?
- Can we assume that the users will have access to a smart phone? Should it work with non-smartphones and from web?
- Is there any requirements for multilingual support?
1 vote -
Does FTA have research material about top issues users are facing in complete trips?
Has FTA researched what the top challenges faced by users are for a complete trip? Are there a prioritized list that FTA wants to address for the maximum benefit of the users?
1 vote -
Does Phase I cover Class 2–8 (cargo vans to semi-trucks), or only Class 7–8 heavy freight?
Regarding vehicle weight class eligibility for Phase I demonstrations — does "commercial vehicle" encompass Class 2–8 (cargo vans through semi-trucks), or is the focus limited to Class 7–8 heavy freight? Our platform currently serves the full spectrum of regulated commercial vehicles, and we'd like to ensure the solicitation accommodates mid-size fleet operators before committing to a Phase I proposal scope.
1 vote -
Does V2X include legacy vehicles alongside ELD-equipped fleets, or is V2X-native required?
The solicitation references V2X integration for traffic management. Does "X" include non-connected legacy vehicles operating alongside modern ELD-equipped fleets? Our core innovation is dispatch optimization for mixed human/AV environments — understanding whether FHWA expects a fully V2X-native solution or a hybrid approach will determine our technical approach.
1 vote -
Does the FTA have a preferred geographic focus or an existing ITS4US program city where Phase I demonstration data should originate
Does the FTA have a preferred geographic focus or an existing ITS4US program city where Phase I demonstration data should originate, or may proposers freely select the metropolitan area for the feasibility demonstration?
1 vote -
For the Phase II MVP software package: does the FTA expect a cloud-hosted SaaS platform accessible via API
For the Phase II MVP software package: does the FTA expect a cloud-hosted SaaS platform accessible via API (allowing transit agencies and third-party app developers to integrate CLU’s trip orchestration), or a standalone installable application for transit agency self-deployment?
1 vote -
The topic states the system “necessitates the creation of” new data standards beyond existing ones.
The topic states the system “necessitates the creation of” new data standards beyond existing ones. For Phase I, does the DOT expect a new data standard to be developed and published, or is identifying the gaps where new standards are needed and proposing their design sufficient as a Phase I contribution?
1 vote -
For the accessibility requirement, does Phase I require formal WCAG 2.1 AA compliance testing with users with disabilities
For the accessibility requirement, does Phase I require formal WCAG 2.1 AA compliance testing with users with disabilities, or is an accessibility-first architecture design document with user research (interviews with 5+ disabled riders) sufficient for the Phase I PoC report?
1 vote