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Innovative Mobility Program



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What is the Innovative Mobility Program?

The Innovative Mobility Program (IMP) is a new initiative from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) that aims to improve historically underserved communities' access to public and active transportation. Program goals also include reducing the number of trips Oregonians make by car and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The IMP is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress in November 2021, as well as state of Oregon dollars. The program has a total of $20 million for grants, contracts and program administration.

What is a historically underserved group?

ODOT is taking a wide view of what “historically underserved" means. BIPOC communities, those living on low incomes, living with disabilities, seniors and young people and LGBTQ+ are some examples, but projects serving any group that has been excluded or whose needs haven't been met by our existing transportation system will be prioritized.

Opportunities under the IMP

Microgrants

Innovative Mobility Program microgrants were created as a response to community feedback. These $5,000 grants are intended to support new and existing projects that support historically underserved communities' access to public and active transportation.

Through June 2023, the IMP awarded over 60 microgrants totaling more than $300,000. These funds helped support:
  • Purchase of safety gear, such as helmets, locks and lights.
  • Events and educational activities, such as bike rodeos and community outreach.
  • Reduced or free transit fares.
  • Other innovative projects that make it easier to walk and roll, share rides, or take transit in an equitable and sustainable manner.
A full list of executed microgrant projects can be found here.

Can I apply for a microgrant?

The microgrant program is temporarily on pause while we work to streamline administrative processes and make program improvements that will benefit applicants. We plan to reopen the microgrant application in 2024.

If you have any questions about the microgrants, please contact us at InnovativeMobility@odot.oregon.gov

How can I submit reporting for my microgrant?
Please review our reporting guidelines and fill out the online form. You can visit the form and preview the entirety of the reporting questions. There are no additional pages to the form. You can also save your work and return to it later. If you need technical assistance completing the reporting requirements, you can schedule time to meet with IMP staff using this link.


Competitive grants

The IMP intends to award competitive grants to projects that support historically underserved communities' access to public and active transportation.

ODOT completed its first round of community engagement for the IMP in the summer of 2022, which included community-based organizations, government agencies, and transportation providers. ODOT received feedback on which services people need, who is interested in providing them, and what the barriers might be for taking part in the IMP, especially for members of historically underserved groups. You can read a summary of what we heard and how we're incorporating it into our design of the IMP here (en español) or read our 2022 IMP Engagement Report.

What is the status of the competitive grants?
Over the past several months, we have been working to confirm the activities and expenses that will be eligible for funding through the IMP. Because of the innovative nature of the types of projects we hope to fund, this process has taken longer than anticipated. The IMP is still fully funded but the timeline for the competitive grants will change.

ODOT will not open the competitive grants for application this year. We plan to issue the first solicitation for competitive grants in 2024.


Contracted services

Contracts will be awarded through a competitive public process. Contracted services under the IMP may include, but is not limited to, technical support for prospective grant applicants and grant awardees, rural vanpool, and other projects that meet the IMP goals.

The first contract has been awarded to Ontiveros and Associates to coordinate the development, planning, and implementation of the competitive grants. 


IMP Technical Advisory Committee

The IMP Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was created to provide feedback to ensure that competitive grants are reflective of the IMP goals and that equity is centered in the design, implementation, and outcomes of the IMP. The TAC is comprised of eight members and will meet up to six times, after which ODOT staff will determine whether the committee should continue. ODOT staff will finalize decisions regarding the scope, design, and implementation of the IMP grants and contracts. The Oregon Transportation Commission will make grant award funding decisions. Public comment will be available on work products the IMP TAC reviews.

The IMP TAC adopted its charter on Nov. 29, 2023. Read the charter here:

IMP TAC Charter


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MP Technical Advisory Committee Meetings

Start Date and Time
4/18/2023 1:00:00 PM
End Date and Time
4/18/2023 2:00:00 PM
Meeting Address

​Virtual

Additional Information
Start Date and Time
5/24/2023 2:00:00 PM
End Date and Time
5/24/2023 3:45:00 PM
Meeting Address

​Virtual

Additional Information
Start Date and Time
11/29/2023 1:00:00 PM
End Date and Time
11/29/2023 2:00:00 PM
Meeting Address

​Virtual

Additional Information