Scenic Roots

"Scenic Roots" offers conversations that matter in the heart of Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley.From the mountains to the river, our conversations are rooted deep within every corner of our community - reflecting who we are, who we were and who we can become.We engage with the news that affects our community, behind and beyond the headlines. We build bridges that span from creators and innovators to storytellers and the outdoors. We focus on our challenges as many communities in one - as we celebrate what inspires us. We resonate with countless voices - in words and spaces, sounds and songs.We are "Scenic Roots."Ray Bassett hosts and produces "Scenic Roots" at WUTC.

A View From Washington On The SMART Grant In Chattanooga

WUTC | By Ray Bassett

Published July 24, 2024 at 11:33 PM EDT

Traffic lights in downtown Chattanooga - with a sign for UTC.

Thanks to a Federal grant, a connected mobility project here in Chattanooga is planning and prototyping the use of smart technologies in two downtown corridors as a way to enhance safety and efficiency.

Earlier this year, the City of Chattanooga - and our campus, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga- received word of the two-million-dollar SMART Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

SMART stands for “Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation.”

I spoke with Stan Caldwell - director of the SMART Grants program at the U.S. Department of Transportation - ahead of his visit to Chattanooga this week.