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Senate Transportation hears how federal IoT grant will fund weigh-in-motion sensors and Vermont 511 upkeep
Summary
Committee members were briefed on a federal grant to fund weigh-in-motion sensors, permanent changeable message boards and roadway weather systems; staff said data will help DMV enforcement and pavement design and that the grant will also support operation and upkeep of Vermont 511.
The Senate Transportation committee received a briefing on March 19 about a recent federal IoT grant and other traffic-and-safety investments in the FY27 program.
Matt Pagotic told the committee the statewide IoT grant (awarded roughly a year and a half ago and reported in the traffic & safety program) will principally fund weigh-in-motion sensors, changeable message boards (permanent and temporary), and road-weather information systems. "Principally winds and message boards," Pagotic said, summarizing the grant's focus. Staff explained weigh-in-motion sensors are embedded in pavement and log vehicle weights; that data helps DMV target enforcement and helps engineers better understand axle loads for design.
The committee also heard about sign-replacement line items, with SIGN-designated projects focused on driver-safety and regulatory signs on corridors such as Route 14. Pagotic noted safety projects in the highway safety improvement plan (guardrail/guard replacement on corridors such as Route 117 and 125) as well as new crash-reporting funding to meet federal reporting requirements.
Pagotic said the New England Compass project (operation and upkeep of Vermont 511) is funded out of the traffic & safety program and supports traveler information including cameras and incident data. Committee members asked whether historical camera data are retained and searchable; staff said some logs exist but deferred details to the operations teams.
Members also encouraged continued purchase of solar-powered signs and message boards where appropriate. No formal action was taken; staff will continue project development and report back on related budget and procurement decisions.
