Texas Innovation Alliance
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Texas Innovation Alliance

Innovative Projects history

Building upon the momentum of the USDOT Smart City Challenge, we issued a call to action across the state in 2016. Metropolitan regions representing the diverse interests of the state stepped forward and agreed that Texas needed an entrepreneurial avenue to move beyond smart cities and towards developing a smart state. In December 2016, teams representing ten Texas cities and three research institutions united at the Texas Mobility Summit with the goals of:

  • Advancing the creation of smart state collaboration.
  • Encouraging public-private dialogue.
  • And galvanizing key leadership in developing innovative solutions to the state’s mobility challenges.

Launched following the 2016 Summit, the Texas Innovation Alliance is an action network of local, regional, and state agencies and research institutions who are committed to addressing community mobility challenges by creating a platform for innovation. The mission of the alliance is to strategically develop, launch, and sustain a portfolio of advanced mobility projects across Texas. Working together, the Alliance has the power to leverage collective knowledge, resources, and solutions to provide a safe, reliable, and seamless transportation experience for all. As the state continues to grow, the Alliance will proactively develop tools beyond traditional infrastructure, including innovative technologies, policies, and processes.

The Texas Innovation Alliance launched the Texas Proving Grounds, which was one of the original ten USDOT Automated Proving Ground sites. While the federal designation has ended, the Texas Proving Ground Partnership, a network of public and research agencies, is still offering a precompetitive environment for automated vehicle (AV) testing. Along with cities and regions across the state, the partnership is led by three research institutions:

These partners have opened their closed, controlled, and open testing sites across Texas to innovators for complete life-cycle development and assessment of AV technology. This partnership envisions a truly collaborative effort that combines facilities, equipment, and expertise in living lab environments to advance common goals and provide positive visibility to the public. Results from their work have already served as nationwide resources on AV technology, providing invaluable early testing, deployment, and implementation insights in a range of research and real-world environments.

Texas Innovative Projects map

Through TxDOT, the Texas Innovation Alliance launched the Texas Proving Grounds following the inaugural 2016 Texas Mobility Summit and was one of the original ten USDOT Automated Vehicle Proving Ground sites. While the federal designation has ended, the Texas Proving Ground Partnership has continued to capitalize on the numerous opportunities for innovative transportation research and implementation, leveraging supportive legislation, world-class research institutions, innovative public agencies, a diverse and skilled workforce, and a collaborative spirit.

Visit the glossary for an alphabetical list of terms.

Learn more about Innovative Transportation Projects around the state that have come from the partnerships forged through the Texas Innovation Alliance.  

 

Texas Innovation Alliance teams

Projects