The Port of Pittsburgh Commission has applied for a $35.21m USDOT TIGER Grant to deploy two communications technologies at 200 "Hot-zones" throughout the inland waterway system to create a Waterways – Intelligent Transportation System. The technologies include the Automated Identification System (AIS), which the USCG has deployed at major U.S. seaports and Wireless Broadband (WB), which, with greater bandwidth, can accommodate more business as well as governmental communication uses. The application received the backing of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the American Waterway Operators, but also has applications for maritime equipment manufacturers and river terminals. Announcement of the awards by DOT is expected between mid-December and mid-February.
