The travels RAV cooperative agreement awards $15,000,000 in federal funding to the university of wisconsin madison, matched dollar-for-dollar by the recipient for a total project value of $30,000,000,…

The Department of Transportation Immediate Office of the Secretary awarded a $15 million cooperative agreement to the University of Wisconsin System, operating through University of Wisconsin - Madison, on March 2, 2026, under the Autonomous Vehicle Research in Rural Communities Program (CFDA 20.944). The recipient matched the federal award dollar-for-dollar, bringing the total project value to $30 million.

The award funds the Tribal & Rural Autonomous Vehicles for Efficiency, Livability and Safety (TRAVELS) program to develop, test, demonstrate, and transition highly automated passenger transport solutions suitable for rural and tribal communities. Activities span program management, needs assessment, policy and regulatory analysis, autonomous vehicle system architecture and concept of operations development, demonstration and testing in rural settings with components integration and field tests, deployment with before-and-after impact assessment and monitoring, public outreach including workshops and webinars, and evaluation with publication of best practices and case studies. Real-world deliverables include 10 to 12 separate autonomous vehicle demonstrations, a minimum of four full deployments, road and digital infrastructure assessments and enhancements, data repositories, test videos and sensor logs, software and code deliverables, quarterly progress reports, integration guidelines, and a white paper on transition to sustainable operations.

Period of performance runs 72 months from March 2, 2026 through March 1, 2032. Place of performance is Wisconsin, USA. The cooperative agreement obligates $30 million total.

Purpose

This agreement funds the tribal & rural autonomous vehicles for efficiency, livability and safety (travels) program at the university of wisconsin madison to develop, test, demonstrate, and transition highly automated passenger transport solutions suitable for rural and tribal communities.

Activities

Program management and implementation planning, including staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and partner coordination. Five major task areas: needs assessment, policy and regulatory analysis, and RAV system architecture and conops development. AV demonstration and testing in rural settings (including components integration, field tests, and digital/roadway infrastructure support). AV deployment, before-and-after impact assessment, monitoring, and planning for sustainable operations. Public outreach, workshops/webinars, technology transfer, and multimedia engagement. Evaluation, feedback, publication of best practices/case studies, sustainability planning, and a final project report. Real-world activities and deliverables include 10 to 12 separate AV demonstrations, a minimum of four full deployments, road/digital infrastructure assessments and enhancements, data repositories, test videos and sensor logs, software/code deliverables, quarterly progress reports, integration guidelines, and a white paper on transition to sustainable operations. Reporting, financial management, and compliance activities (quarterly technical and financial reports, biannual performance reviews, and final reporting) are required throughout the 72MONTH period.

Intended beneficiaries

Citizens of the united states, with a primary focus on rural and tribal communities. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: none specified at this time