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Governor Laura Kelly announced the recipients of this year’s transportation innovation funding program, awarding a total of $4.5 million to 20 projects across Kansas. The funding will support a range of initiatives, including advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS) research and artificial intelligence (AI)-based infrastructure management and safety improvements.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) received 22 applications totaling over $5 million. After review, 20 projects were selected, reflecting strong local commitment to adopting innovative transportation solutions. Two applications were found ineligible.

Funded projects cover various transportation areas such as aviation, roadway safety, infrastructure evaluation, and traffic management. Notable examples include establishing an advanced UAS flight operations and simulation center in Salina, testing an AI-driven blocked railroad crossing alert system in Crawford County, and using AI for street inventory and condition assessments in Halstead.

Approved Innovative Transportation projects:

• Kansas State University – Salina, Saline County
  • $1,000,000.00 for advanced UAS Flight Operations and Simulation Center Phase II.
• Salina Regional Airport, Saline County
  • $870,000.00 for advanced aviation and engineering research operations.
• Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems, Nemaha County
  • $688,609.00 for an autonomous agricultural vehicle pilot.
• ByStep LLC and Island Radar Co., Crawford County
  • $450,000.00 for a blocked railroad crossing alert system pilot.
• City of Andover, Butler County
  • $320,000.00 for roadside Radio Units and Emergency Preemption Pilot
• City of Dodge City, Ford County
  • $220,000.00 for traffic signal modernization and coordination.
• City of Wichita and Vivacity Labs, Sedgwick County
  • $187,500.00 for improving multi-modal safety in Wichita with advanced AI.

• Sedgwick County, Sedgwick County
  • $150,000.00 for traffic signal safety upgrades.
• City of Maize, Sedgwick County
  • $150,000.00 for radar detection traffic signals.
• City of Gardner, Johnson County
  • $90,000.00 for Gardner pavement assessment and management.
• City of Halstead, Harvey County
  • $75,750.00 AI street inventory and assessment.
• City of Topeka, Shawnee County
  • $75,000.00 for Madison and Monroe Corridor radar traffic detection.
• Kansas Highway Patrol, Shawnee County
  • $60,000.00 for a VIN Inspection program modernization.
• City of Maize, Sedgwick County
  • $59,950.00 for a Maize local street assessment using AI.
• City of Park City, Sedgwick County
  • $49,125.00 for a transportation network evaluation using AI.
• City of Edgerton, Johnson County
  • $25,000.00 for an automated pavement condition index and asset management.
• Leavenworth County, Leavenworth County
  • $15,000.00 for a 2000W laser cleaning machine.
• Kearny County, Kearny County
  • $12,636.00 for vibratory roller for asphalt patching.
• Kearny County Airport, Kearny County
  • $8,025.00 for an airport debris removal broom.
• City of Lakin, Kearny County
  • $5,000.00 for a mow and maintenance skid steer attachment.