USTDA Grant Supports Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Infrastructure in Brazil

(USTDA) SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is contributing toward the modernization of Brazil's surface transportation infrastructure through a grant awarded by USTDA yesterday to EcoRodovias, a Brazilian private intermodal logistics and highway concessionaire company.

The $460,000 grant was signed at the EcoRodovias office in Sao Paulo by the company's Vice President, Mr. Frederico Botto, the company's Corporate Technology Director, Mr. Carlos Paavola, and the Acting U.S. Consul General in Sao Paulo, Mr. William Popp. The USTDA grant will fund a technical assistance program to assist EcoRodovias in modernizing and expanding its use of ITS technologies on its road network in Brazil.

Brazil's recent growth in population, its vibrant economic performance and corresponding need for mobility have placed significant pressure on the country's road transportation infrastructure. In an effort to improve mobility, maintenance and the pace of expansion, certain highway arteries have been awarded to private companies such as EcoRodovias. The company has grown over the past decade into one of Brazil's largest highway concessionaires.

EcoRodovias seeks to use the USTDA-funded technical assistance to develop a practical and detailed implementation plan for the acquisition, deployment, and integration of new ITS technologies into its transportation infrastructure. At the same time, the project presents significant export opportunities for U.S. firms in such areas as variable traffic message signs, highway monitoring systems and emergency communication system technologies, among others.

In commenting on the technical assistance, USTDA Director Leocadia I. Zak commented that "USTDA is pleased to partner with EcoRodovias on this important technical assistance project that will not only help improve traffic flow in the areas where EcoRodovias operates, but it will also provide business opportunities for U.S. companies involved in the ITS sector."

Following the grant signing, EcoRodovias will select a U.S. contractor to complete the technical assistance. The opportunity to conduct the USTDA-funded technical assistance activity will be competed on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website. A link to the FBO announcement will be posted to USTDA's website at www.ustda.gov. Interested U.S. firms should submit proposals according to the instructions in the FBO announcement.