The Mobility COE is currently conducting a thorough gap analysis to identify unexplored and underexplored areas of knowledge that can significantly benefit from further study. Based on the identified research gaps, the COE will craft a dynamic five-year research agenda, with annual reviews, to adapt to the rapid evolution of mobility technologies.

The COE will issue multiple RFIs in the coming years. The intent of this RFI is to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders to identify potential research gaps and solicit detailed project ideas or proposals that can be considered for the first round of funded projects, performed either by scholars from the six COE core members or external, contracted researchers.

Participants are encouraged to focus their research ideas and proposals on one of the following key areas or other open categories of relevance. Please see the RFI Document for an introduction to an initial list of COE research gaps and interest of this solicitation.

• Land Use, Urban Planning, and Policy
• Systems Analysis and Optimization
• Equity, Health, and Society
• Open category for other pertinent topics

When developing and submitting ideas and proposals, please consider the potential impact of new mobility and automated vehicles on societal structures, urban and rural landscapes, environmental health, and organizational frameworks. “At Scale” is one key idea of the COE, meaning that we are particularly interested in ideas and proposals that relate to the impacts and solutions when new mobility and highly automated vehicles are deployed together and at scale or strategies to maximize the public benefits from that transition.

Submissions are welcomed from diverse groups, including public agencies, academic or research institutions, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and for-profit companies.

Note that the person or entity submitting responses to this RFI does not necessarily need to perform the research. Public agencies with urgent or emergent knowledge needs are encouraged to submit responses to leverage the COE team expertise and funding to perform the actual research. We also welcome ideas for sponsored research from public agencies or other entities as the COE seeks to use program revenues to maximize the impacts of its research expertise.

The COE Steering Committee, COE Leadership, and the FHWA will oversee the process to select ideas. This RFI plays a critical role in the COE’s efforts to identify gaps and formulate a strategic roadmap. Should an idea be chosen, COE leadership will proactively engage with the individual who submitted it, working closely to enhance and align the idea more closely with the COE’s primary objectives. In instances where it is beneficial, the COE may combine several research concepts to launch collaborative projects that leverage strengths from all parties. The COE is committed to adopting a highly collaborative and interactive approach and will engage closely with stakeholders and researchers to clearly define and initiate each project.

• RFI Release: March 6, 2024
• RFI Webinar: March 19, 2024 
• Submission Deadline for Year 1&2 Project Ideas: April 26, 2024
• Engagement and Idea Selection: May to August 2024
• Detailed Research Plan Submission: June to September 2024
• Commencement of Selected Projects: September to December 2024