City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 4, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: MICHAEL MOON, P.E., INERIM DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution for a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Transportation for the Innovation and Technology Transportation Fund (ITTF). [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Whether the City should apply for and accept funding for the 2026 Innovation and Technology Transportation Fund (“ITTF”) discretionary grant program from the Virginia Department of Transportation (“VDOT”).
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Approve a resolution to support the submission of a grant application to the ITTF for up to $2,000,000 for planning and prototyping of scalable digital models.
2. Authorize the City Manager to apply to the ITTF grant and enter into any agreements with VDOT to accept and implement the ITTF grant.
BACKGROUND: The ITTF program, which is managed by DOT, funds pilot programs and initiatives focused on high-tech infrastructure improvements in transportation. The goal is to enhance mobility, reduce congestion, improve safety, provide up-to-date travel data, and improve emergency response in Virginia. In alignment with this mandate, the VDOT developed the Transportation Technology Plan, which serves as the foundational framework for identifying and prioritizing projects eligible for ITTF funding. The Plan aligns the Commonwealth’s transportation technology strategies with the statutory purpose of the ITTF, ensuring that each funded project directly contributes to a more efficient, safer, and more convenient multimodal transportation system.
Projects funded through the ITTF are drawn from this Plan and represent the Commonwealth’s commitment to leveraging innovation to address evolving transportation challenges. The program is funded at $1.9 million for fiscal years 2026-2028.
DISCUSSION: In December 2024, VDOT requested a brief project summary for potential ITTF funding with a limited turnaround. Staff identified an existing project, a collaboration with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute's (“VTTI”) Smart Mobility Lab, as a strong candidate for scaling up.
VDOT subsequently requested a more detailed proposal after the project passed initial screening by the state's selection committee, again with a short deadline. To avoid expending resources without assurance of funding, staff opted to delay seeking City Council authorization to apply for the grant until notification of intent to fund was received. This docket seeks retroactive authorization for the grant application.
Alexandria’s proposal focuses on managing the growing volume of transportation data through investments in smart infrastructure. These data sources include traffic signals, installed sensors, and other connected technologies. While the City has significantly expanded its data capabilities, key gaps in the data lifecycle still limit the ability to turn this information into meaningful insights, actions, and informed policy decisions. To fully benefit from these smart infrastructure investments, City policymakers and administrators need access to advanced data science tools that help translate raw data into improved safety, mobility, and efficiency.
This initiative is an important step in preparing Alexandria for the future of digital twin technology, while also delivering useful, real-time solutions today. In partnership with the VTTI, Alexandria is currently developing a foundational network of sensors and data-sharing infrastructure. This project will bridge the gap between data collection and the deployment of fully scalable digital models, while also delivering actionable insights efficiently.
In April 2025, the City was notified that the project was recommended for funding and is included in the VDOT Draft Six Year Funding Plan, which is approved in June 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact as the ITTF program does not require a local match. Total project funding is $1,950,000. The funding will begin to be available as of July 1, 2025. Staff will request funding through a Supplemental Appropriation Ordinance as this project was not included in the FY 2026 budget. Funding is provided over a three-year period, and future years will be included in the Capital Improvement Program.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, P.E., Deputy City Manager
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director of Transportation, T&ES
Ryan Knight, Smart Mobility Program Manager, T&ES
Audrey Cunningham, Smart Mobility Interim Program Manager, T&ES