Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority Secures $4 Million Grant for the Utilization of CV (V2X) Technology for Congestion Management in Partnership with USF CUTR

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA), in collaboration with the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research (USF CUTR), has been awarded a $4 million grant to implement the Smart Eco-Driving Connectivity for Urban Roadway Efficiency (SECURE V2X) platform. This transformative technology application has the potential to enhance traffic flow, improve safety, and reduce
congestion on the Selmon Expressway, positioning Tampa Bay as a leader in efficient transportation practices that benefit residents and the economy.

The SECURE V2X platform combines advanced connected vehicle (CV) technology with traffic management strategies to smooth traffic flow and reduce bottlenecks, improving travel times by up to 25%. By utilizing data-driven approaches and incentivizing driver engagement, the project
will make the Selmon Expressway safer, more efficient, and more user-friendly.

“This project is a great example of how transformative connected vehicle technology can be for a transportation network, maximizing efficiency and saving lives,” said Greg Slater, CEO of THEA. “The more we know about how our expressway is being used, the better equipped we are to make decisions that benefit our community—and this grant will help us deliver those benefits responsibly and effectively.”

Efficient traffic operations, a core component of the SECURE V2X platform, optimizes vehicle speeds to minimize abrupt braking and acceleration, contributing to energy savings, better air quality, and enhanced safety. The platform will track energy savings, emissions improvements, and key performance metrics such as changes in travel time, travel time reliability, queue length, and delay. These insights will be shared with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support broader national goals for efficient transportation systems.

“As a board, we’re immensely proud of THEA’s proactive approach to innovation,” said Vince Cassidy, THEA Board Chair. “This grant allows us to implement cutting-edge technology that not only benefits the drivers on the Selmon Expressway but also positions Tampa Bay as a national leader in transportation advancements. Our partnership with USF CUTR underscores our shared commitment to leveraging innovation to create safer and more efficient roadways.”

The initiative maximizes operational efficiency and is expected to reduce energy consumption by 15% and secondary crashes by 10%, ultimately benefitting THEA customers, nearby residents, and businesses.

Sisinnio Concas, Program Director of Autonomous-Connected Mobility Evaluation (ACME) at USF CUTR, highlighted the collaboration’s importance: “By leveraging state-of-the-art connected vehicle technology and big data analytics, this project will not only improve traffic conditions and safety on the Selmon Expressway but will also serve as a replicable model for other regions. It’s an honor to work with THEA on an initiative that aligns with our mission to advance transportation innovation.”

This collaboration demonstrates THEA’s and USF CUTR’s shared commitment to creating long- lasting transportation solutions that benefit all drivers while fostering Tampa Bay’s reputation as a hub of mobility innovation.