U.S. DOT FY 2026 Phase I Pre-Solicitation Q&A
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65 results found
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Budget flexibility
The Phase I budget ceiling is $200,000. For a proposer developing both hardware prototype components (RSU electronics, V2X radio integration) and software components (TMS proof-of-concept, ML congestion prediction model), is it acceptable to allocate the majority of the Phase I budget to personnel costs for two technical staff rather than equipment procurement, with hardware costs limited to evaluation kits and bench prototype components?
1 vote -
Corridors where no existing RSU infrastructure is present
For a proposer deploying new RSU infrastructure on rural interstate corridors where no existing RSU infrastructure is present, is the strong justification requirement satisfied by demonstrating: (1) absence of existing RSU coverage on the target corridor, (2) solar-powered off-grid installation requiring no civil works, (3) full interoperability with the existing connected vehicle fleet via standard SAE J2735 messaging, and (4) integration with existing state DOT TMC data systems via standard TIM message exchange?
1 vote -
Real-time operational advisories
Does the scope of Phase I include real-time operational advisories delivered to on-scene first responders and law enforcement officers — such as a Move Over law corridor activation triggered by an officer-worn device during a traffic stop on an active highway — as an intended advisory recipient class alongside vehicle operators and TMC personnel?
1 vote -
On-scene traffic management personnel as advisory recipients?
The topic focuses on advisories delivered to drivers and TMC operators. Would the system scope also include real-time operational guidance delivered to on-scene traffic management personnel – such as law enforcement officers or flaggers directing traffic at incidents, work zones, or special events – as an intended advisory recipient class?
1 vote -
Scope of 'No Interference' Constraint
The topic states the system should complement existing traffic control infrastructure without interference. Does this preclude the system from issuing signal timing recommendations to TMC operators as a human-in-the-loop advisory – where a human makes the final control decision – or does without interference apply only to automated actuation?
1 vote -
Will there be any restrictions on the sensory data for this project?
I'm asking because in our NSF project, within wireless sensor networks (WSNs), a Bluetooth sensor captures the MAC addresses of Bluetooth units equipped in mobile devices and car navigation systems, and a ZigBee transceiver transmits the collected MAC addresses to edge computing device or a server for processing (a cloud-server was proposed in our FHWA Phase II proposal before).
The drawback of the Bluetooth sensor is its dependence on the device being turned on. Thus, visual/RADAR sensors will complement such a drawback, such as video cameras, RTMS RADAR. For example, the RTMS RADAR was used by NJDOT as ground truth…
1 vote -
V2x
Since the research topic allows trusted communication technologies beyond V2X, can a system that does not rely on connected vehicle connectivity still be considered responsive if it delivers secure, location specific advisories?
1 vote -
Would operational advisory systems designed to support emergency-incident roadway coordination and responder convergence?
For Topic 26-FH1, would operational advisory systems designed to support emergency-incident roadway coordination and responder convergence through real-time human-centric guidance be considered responsive to the topic objectives for congestion mitigation and localized traffic operations?
1 vote -
Topic 26-FH1: Edge Artificial Intelligence Vehicle-to-Everything (AI-V2X)
Does the topic seek only vehicle-centric V2X solutions, or would deployable or infrastructure-based edge nodes that provide resilient communications (including failover in degraded or disaster-response environments) also be considered within scope?"
1 vote -
Auditable validation record
Would an auditable validation record, including scenario inputs, baseline behavior, V2X enabled behavior, timing changes, system outputs, and a tamper evident integrity digest, be considered a valuable deliverable under Topic 26 FH1?
1 vote -
live field data vs applicants use controlled, reproducible corridor scenarios supported by real roadway
Does the topic require live field data during Phase I, or can applicants use controlled, reproducible corridor scenarios supported by real roadway geometry and clearly documented assumptions?
1 vote -
metrics primarily around travel time reduction, or window reduction
Should applicants frame success metrics primarily around travel time reduction, or may they also include conflict window reduction, queue clearance timing, signal phase responsiveness, emergency response delay reduction, and reproducible validation records?
1 vote -
1 vote
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1 vote
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AI decision logic only vs a system that validates, compares, and documents edge AI V2X behavior across baseline
Does the topic prioritize development of new roadside edge AI decision logic only, or would it also consider a system that validates, compares, and documents edge AI V2X behavior across baseline and V2X enabled corridor conditions?
1 vote -
V2X validation platform
Would a corridor level V2X validation platform be considered responsive if the Phase I work focuses on proving how edge based V2X decision logic can reduce congestion related conflict exposure, emergency vehicle delay, queue formation, and signal timing failure conditions before infrastructure deployment?
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 -
Temporary work-zone congestion
Does topic 26-FH1 consider temporary work-zone congestion caused by roadway maintenance or robotic maintenance operations to be an acceptable Phase I use case for demonstrating Edge-AI/V2X congestion prediction and mitigation?
1 vote -
mobile autonomous aerial sensing platform
Would a mobile autonomous aerial sensing platform be considered an acceptable emerging data source if the proposed system’s main deliverable is an Edge-AI/V2X congestion advisory architecture that detects work-zone or incident-related congestion and delivers location-specific advisories to affected road users and traffic management operators?
1 vote