Chattanooga, TN – The Chattanooga Fire Department joined city leaders and researchers on Monday for a technology demonstration showcasing advancements aimed at improving public safety and transportation.
The event, held near downtown, was hosted by the City of Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Research Institute (UTCRI) as part of a project funded by a federal SMART Grant.
Chattanooga is the only city in Tennessee to receive a SMART (Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation) Grant this year from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The funding supports the deployment of advanced transportation technologies, including Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), at mid-block crossings along two major corridors.
These systems are designed to collect real-time data that can be used to improve traffic safety and efficiency. Officials say the project will help inform future infrastructure upgrades across the city, ultimately enhancing safety for pedestrians, drivers, cyclists, and first responders.
“It’s very important for us to constantly look at new innovation to ensure safety for the public and our firefighters during responses,” said Chattanooga Fire Operations Chief Rick Boatwright. “We are always planning for the future and looking at ways we can implement improvements as a progressive fire department. It’s great to see the city and UTC partnering on projects like this.”
The demonstration highlighted Chattanooga’s ongoing efforts to adopt smart city technologies and build a safer, more efficient urban environment.