Accessible Transportation Technologies
Research Initiative

About the Accessible Transportation Technologies Research Initiative

The Accessible Transportation Technologies Research Initiative (ATTRI) is a joint U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) initiative, co-led by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), with support from the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) and other Federal partners.

For people with disabilities, including injured veterans and older adults, inadequate mobility and transportation can hinder them from completing important tasks, such as obtaining employment, commuting to appointments, shopping for groceries, or even attending social events that many take for granted. ATTRI leads efforts to research, develop, and implement transformative solutions, applications, and systems to help all people, particularly those with disabilities, effectively plan and execute their travel, addressing individual mobility needs. The initiative will enhance the capability of travelers to reliably, safely, and independently accomplish their unique travel plans.

ATTRI leverages recent advances in vehicle, infrastructure, and pedestrian-based technologies, as well as accessible data, mobile computing, robotics, artificial intelligence, object detection, and navigation. These technologies are enabled by ever present wireless communications that connect travelers and their mobile devices, vehicles, and roadside infrastructure.

The program is being implemented in three phases: 1) exploratory and user needs research; 2) innovation, prototype development, and testing; and 3) a demonstration phase. ATTRI has completed Phase 1 and is currently focused on Phase 2 activities.

ATTRI research focuses on the needs of three stakeholder groups: people with disabilities, veterans with disabilities, and older adults.

ATTRI will also develop technological solutions to lower or remove barriers to transportation according to four functional disabilities: visual, hearing, cognitive and mobility.

ATTRI Program Status

During the exploratory phase of the program, ATTRI conducted technology scans, a comprehensive user needs analysis of ATTRI’s target populations and functional disabilities, solicited information through a Request for Information (RFI) and conducted extensive stakeholder outreach. Based on this information, the U.S.DOT has determined four (4) priority areas for the development of ATTRI applications:

• Smart Wayfinding and Navigation Systems
• Pre-Trip Concierge and Virtualization
• Shared Use, Automation and Robotics
• Safe Intersection Crossing

In addition, ATTRI determined four (4) foundational considerations that should be explored and considered for any application being developed under the ATTRI program. These foundational considerations are:

• Standard Accessible Data Platform
• Universal Design Standards and Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
• Integrated Payment Systems
• Leverage Existing Technologies and Ongoing Research

For more information on the ATTRI program status and details on the ATTRI application areas and foundational considerations see the progress and insights page.