Phase 1 project to plan, pilot, and measure the impact of smart traffic signals in a traffic-heavy corridor of downtown utica. DOT-smart-FY24-01. NY city of utica $1,809,957.00.

The City of Utica received a $1,809,957 Project Grant award on July 15, 2025, from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Immediate Office of the Secretary under the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program (CFDA 20.941). This Phase 1 award supports planning, piloting, and impact measurement of smart traffic signal technology implementation in a traffic-heavy corridor of downtown Utica, New York. The project will be completed by January 14, 2027, and represents a Stage One planning and prototyping initiative typical of SMART program awards, which generally range from $1 million to $3 million and support demonstration projects focused on advanced smart city technologies to improve transportation efficiency and safety.

Under this award, Utica City Hall's Urban and Economic Development Division will develop and test intelligent traffic management infrastructure designed to optimize traffic flow, enhance safety, and generate performance data on smart signal technology effectiveness. The project deliverables include the deployment of coordinated smart traffic signal systems, collection of performance metrics to measure impact, and documentation of findings to inform potential future full-scale implementation. This initiative aligns with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's $500 million SMART program appropriation distributed across fiscal years 2022–2026, which funds competitive demonstration projects among eligible public sector entities including states, municipalities, transit agencies, and metropolitan planning organizations.