Smart City Challenge winner to get crash-avoidance system for buses

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently said the winner of the Smart City Challenge will have new crash-avoidance technology installed on every bus in its transit system.

Additionally, the winner will receive up to $40 million from USDOT, as well as up to $10 million from Vulcan Philanthropy, a partner in the contest.

USDOT has partnered with Mobileye to install the company's Shield+ technology on the winner's buses.

“Our department’s partnership with Mobileye significantly strengthens this challenge, devoting additional resources to the winning city so it can further develop its own unique vision of what a fully integrated, forward-looking transportation network looks like,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. “The funding and technology contributed by our private-sector partners will assist the selected city in using data-driven information to make their transportation systems safer and more efficient and prepare for the future of transportation.”

The Shield + system is designed to improve the crash-avoidance rates of buses driving through cities. The technology will help drivers avoid crashes and protect other travelers, such as motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.

When the technology is installed, it will continuously gather real-time data to allow the city to determine which improvements are necessary to make the public bus system safer and more efficient.