Baltimore Congressional Delegation Applauds $150,000 for Light Rail Technology Enhancement

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) applauded the award of $150,000 for the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) to improve the state’s light rail system with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology. 

The federal funding will allow MDOT MTA to monitor light rail infrastructure in real-time by using LiDAR to identify potential rail defects and erosion along the light rail corridor.

“Maryland commuters and essential workers rely on our light rail systems to get where they need to go. This new federal investment in our state’s public transit network will help provide safer and more efficient service for Baltimore-area riders,” the lawmakers said. “Our delegation will continue working to secure additional federal support for Maryland’s public transportation systems.” 

The lawmakers sent a letter in support of MDOT MTA’s grant funding application in July. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Real-Time Asset Management Program, which aims to improve public transportation infrastructure and passenger safety with real-time assessments of transit capital and facilities.