Procurement Challenges and Best Practices in Deploying V2X Technologies for Transportation Safety and Operations

Focus Area: Organizing for and Leading Operations
Submitting On Behalf Of: TRB Committee on Freeway Operations
Urgency: Critical - High Priority
Cost: $250,000 - 499,000
Timeframe: 1 - 2 years
Type of Research: Full Research Project

Date Posted: Jun 5, 2025
Status: Not Funded

Research Description

As transportation systems evolve toward greater connectivity, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technologies are emerging as pivotal tools for enhancing roadway safety, reducing congestion, and improving operational efficiency. Despite the technical potential of V2X systems, transportation agencies face significant procurement challenges in implementing these technologies at scale. These challenges include navigating evolving federal and state interoperability standards, vendor lock-in risks, uncertain technology life cycles, cybersecurity requirements, and limited institutional experience with complex connected vehicle deployments. Additionally, public sector procurement practices are often not well-aligned with the fast-paced development cycles of emerging technologies, which can hinder the ability to adopt timely and innovative solutions.

This research project intends to: • Identify and analyze the primary procurement challenges facing transportation agencies in the deployment of V2X technologies for safety and operations; • Examine how these challenges impact the scalability, interoperability, and effectiveness of V2X implementation; • Document case studies of successful V2X procurements, with an emphasis on best practices in vendor selection, contract structuring, maintenance, lifecycle cost management, and compliance with emerging standards; and • Develop a practical procurement framework tailored to transportation operations professionals, including model RFP language, evaluation criteria, and risk mitigation strategies.

Additional Supporting Information

The results of this research will provide transportation agencies with a comprehensive guide to improving procurement processes for V2X technologies. By addressing current barriers and sharing proven best practices, the research will support more effective and efficient deployment of connected vehicle systems, ultimately enhancing roadway safety, reducing incidents, and enabling more intelligent transportation network operations.

Submitted By: Jim Katsafanas; Michael Baker International; 412-269-4635

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