Las Vegas, NV – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) toured the Southern Nevada Traffic Management Center as part of her SMART Communities initiative and hosted a roundtable discussion with local transportation officials. Senator Cortez Masto discussed the ways in which technological innovation can help Nevada cities develop more efficient and up-to-date infrastructure and transportation systems. The Senator recently introduced bipartisan legislation that will build on the success of the 2015 SMART Cities challenge administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation by creating an annual grant funding challenge to further technological advancements in transportation.
“Innovation is key to building a better future for Nevada,” said Cortez Masto. “It was great to hear from our local leaders and discuss ways we can enhance Nevada’s infrastructure and transportation systems. By cultivating public-private partnerships, we will be able to provide tools and resources to help cities tap into new technology and seek efficient solutions to address the unique challenges they face. The SMART Cities challenge capitalized on this very idea, and I’m proud to introduce a bill that will build on its successes and make it available to both rural and urban cities. I’m committed to ensuring that Nevada continues as a state of innovation, a national leader in developing smarter transportation and building a strong economic future that has a meaningful impact on our communities and our way of life.”
“We appreciate Senator Cortez Masto’s leadership in sponsoring legislation that continues to position Nevada at the forefront in bringing greater innovation, smarter technology and increased economic development opportunities to our region for transportation and infrastructure initiatives,” said Tina Quigley, general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). “We believe that technology is the new asphalt, and the RTC is committed to using technology, data and innovation to enhance safety, mobility and efficiency for our residents and visitors.”
“We recognize the emerging transportation challenges our region faces and opportunities to develop innovative solutions that could help us meet them. To provide next generation transportation technology to the residents and visitors we serve, RTC has partnered with Proterra in the industry’s first autonomous bus program with the University of Nevada, Reno. We support Senator Cortez Masto’s Moving FIRST Act which would offer the opportunity to partner with the U.S. Department of Transportation to further innovation-driven economic development in Northern Nevada and throughout the state to support an integrated and smart transportation system,” said Lee Gibson, executive director of the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County.
BACKGROUND:
The current organizations in support of Senator Cortez Masto’s Moving FIRST Act include:
- Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
- Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, Nevada
- National League of Cities
- Nevada League of Cities
- National Association of Counties (NACO)
- Nevada Association of Counties
- Lyft
- Uber
- Panasonic Corporation of North America
- Small UAV Coalition
- Geotabs
- Hotwire Communications
- Railroad Passengers Association
- Valley Electric Assocation, Inc.
- CTIA
- Switch
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