Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) Receives Federal Funding
RTC, NDOT, partners receive $6 million in federal funding for emerging technologies to mitigate traffic congestion and enhance road safety
Grant will extend existing I-15 technologies west to U.S. 95
LAS VEGAS – The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and partners received a $6 million grant to expand emerging technologies on Las Vegas freeways. The five-mile expansion will extend west of downtown Las Vegas between I-15 and Summerlin Parkway on U.S. 95, a critical corridor that carries approximately 230,000 vehicles daily. These technologies will help enhance safety by mitigating congestion, decreasing the number of crashes, reducing travel time and increasing overall efficiency of the freeway.
The $6 million in funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) program. The ATCMTD program funds early deployments of forward-looking technologies that can serve as national models.
“It is essential that we prioritize safety and efficiency on the roadways that Nevadans rely on every day to get to work and home to their families,” said U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). “This grant will fund emerging technologies on freeways in Las Vegas to improve traffic management, prevent car accidents, and inform first responders of incidents as quickly as possible. I’m proud to have advocated for this vital transportation funding, and I’ll continue to prioritize the safety of Nevadans across the state.”
Some technologies that will be deployed along U.S. 95 include wrong-way sensors that alert drivers immediately if they’re traveling in the wrong direction; occupancy detection sensors in HOV lanes that collect data to reduce congestion and emissions; and overhead signs that warn motorists about incidents, speed reduction and lane closures ahead to mitigate crashes resulting from sudden braking.
“As the traffic management agency for the region, it is essential that we continue to collaborate with the state and local governments and our university to employ emerging technologies to improve safety, mitigate traffic and help save lives,” said M.J. Maynard, RTC chief executive officer. “This grant will enable us to work closely with our long-standing partners to expand our footprint in informing motorists, emergency responders and traffic technicians about incidents in real time. We are grateful to our federal delegation and community partners for their continued support of these efforts, as we all work together to reduce the number and severity of crashes on our valley’s roadways.”
“NDOT is committed to leveraging every tool available, including emergency technologies, to further our mission of making Nevada safe and connected,” said NDOT Director Kristina Swallow. “NDOT is proud to work with its local, state, and federal partners in finding creative and high-tech solutions to improve driver efficiency and traffic flows while reducing secondary crashes.”
The project is a partnership among the RTC, NDOT, Nevada Highway Patrol, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and technology company Waycare.
The FHWA evaluated 46 applications requesting more than $205 million and awarded $49.6 million to 10 projects nationwide. The expansion of the existing project is estimated to cost approximately $15 million, with a 60-percent local and 40-percent federal split.
ATCMTD was established under the “Fixing America's Surface Transportation” (FAST) Act. State departments of transportation, local governments, transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and other eligible entities were invited to apply under the program. This year, in addition to intelligent transportation system technologies to reduce congestion, the ATCMTD grants will fund projects that support autonomous and connected vehicle technologies. Now in its fifth year, the program has funded more than 45 projects worth $256 million.
RTC Receives Nearly $61M in COVID-19 Relief Funds
Funding part of federal support dedicated to the transit industry
LAS VEGAS – The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) received nearly $61 million in federal aid from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in response to the economic impact of COVID-19 on its public transportation system.
Funded by state sales tax and passenger fares, the RTC’s transit operating revenue has suffered greatly during the health and economic crisis. The federal relief packages will help offset the agency’s budget deficit from revenue losses due to the pandemic.
The RTC will receive approximately $60,118,785 through the FTA’s Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA). The CRRSAA grant will help support funds to manage and maintain public transit operational costs, such as payroll, fuel and personal protective equipment and supplies. The CRRSAA includes $14 billion in relief to transit agencies across the country.
“Due to pandemic-related revenue loss, federal assistance is crucial to allowing the RTC of Southern Nevada to maintain operations, keep its employees on the payroll, and help Nevadans get to and from work,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-1). “Public transit is a critical resource for frontline workers, seniors, and individuals with disabilities in this time of need. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will continue to advocate for federal aid to preserve Nevada’s public transit service.”
The FTA also awarded $500,000 in funding to the RTC through the COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program. The program supports strategies to develop, deploy and demonstrate innovative solutions that improve the operational efficiency of transit agencies and enhance the mobility of transit users affected by the pandemic. The RTC will use the amount to procure and install new Europay, MasterCard, and Visa (EMV) certified electronic validators on its more than 400 fixed-route buses. The new EMV-certified validators will allow the RTC to grow its contactless payment options to improve health measures, reduce passenger-loading times and increase overall operational efficiency.
“We are incredibly fortunate to receive funds that support research in technology and innovative programs,” said Debra March, Henderson mayor and RTC chairwoman. “The health and well-being of RTC customers and operators remain top priorities. Introducing this new technology and equipment will improve service operations and minimize the risk of exposure with more contactless payment options.”
The FTA received 104 eligible project proposals totaling approximately $63.4 million and awarded 37 projects in 35 states with $15.8 million in total grant funding.
About the RTC
The RTC is the transit authority, transportation planning organization, regional traffic management agency and administrator of Southern Nevada Strong, the regional planning effort for the Las Vegas valley. The RTC’s vision is to provide a safe, convenient and effective regional transportation system that enhances mobility and air quality for citizens and visitors. The RTC encourages residents and visitors to use a variety of transportation choices to help reduce traffic congestion, clean the air and improve the quality of life in Southern Nevada. For more information about the RTC and its major initiatives or to download its transit app rideRTC, visit rtcsnv.com and stay informed by subscribing to our blog.
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