Georgia DOT Announces Talking Traffic Lights: A Smart Vehicle Tech Challenge for Safety Innovation

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Thursday, October 3rd, 2019

In its continuous efforts to stay at the forefront of changes and trends in transportation mobility, for the first time the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is hosting a Smart Vehicle Tech Challenge at Digital Ignition – Forsyth County’s new official Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) incubator recently inaugurated by Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan.

The purpose of this tech challenge is to invite technology companies from around the world to translate GDOT traffic light data into safety applications that can be used to support autonomous vehicles of the future. The winning team will receive $75,000 to further develop the application while working alongside GDOT’s technology and transportation leadership team.
 
“We are looking for serious technology partners that are as equally committed to helping us build modern and safety-focused transportation infrastructure,” said John Hibbard, Operations Director at the Georgia Department of Transportation. “We view this as an exciting opportunity to tap the ingenuity and know-how of technology companies with a vision that aligns with our own,” he added.

The event will be kicked off with a public networking event featuring speakers from the automotive industry as well as a mobility marketplace showcasing hardware and software companies in the transportation space.  This will then be followed by a 3-day tech challenge and a breakfast announcing the winner.  A maximum of 15 IT companies will be selected to participate in this Smart Vehicle Tech challenge. The deadline to apply is October 15, 2019.
 

Talking Traffic Lights – Schedule Overview
Public Kick-off Networking Event & Mobility Marketplace
 
November 7th from 5 – 9pm
IT Company Tech Challenge
 
November 8th – 10th
Winner Announcement Tech Team Breakfast 
 
November 11th
All events will be held at Digital Ignition: 190 Bluegrass Valley Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30005

 
To RSVP to the networking event, register your IT company to participate in the tech challenge, or showcase your organization in the mobility marketplace, please visit www.talkingtrafficlights.com or contact Joanne Sanders at 404.644.2779 or [email protected].