City of Talladega Blog

(Talladega, AL) On September 24, US Department of Transportation (DOT) leaders came to Talladega to help kick off a new pilot project that will be funded by a $1,123,432 U.S. DOT Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant. The award will enable Talladega to create safer streets for all, including those who are blind, visually impaired or deaf. 

The kickoff was held at Manning Hall on the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind campus. Guest speakers included DOT Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and Chief Science Officer Dr. Robert Hampshire. Program participants also included Pastor Barbara Embry, City Manager Derrick Swanson, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) President Dennis Gilliam, Ed.D., Alabama School for the Blind student Maggie Watts, E. H. Gentry Facility Interim Executive Director Josh Sharpton, and City of Talladega Executive Assistant Ciara Smith.

This technology funded by the grant will allow the blind, visually impaired and deaf community to move freely and safely throughout the city by providing multiple forms of touchless detection and producing auditory signals to ensure that visually impaired individuals can cross streets safely. 

“This grant is targeted specifically to help the great children of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) safely cross busy intersections.  It will enable Talladega to install life-saving infrastructure, such as smart buttons, smart cameras, and emergency vehicle preemption units at key intersections. The enhancements will transform these intersections into safer spaces for everyone, especially children,” said Dr. Robert Hampshire. 


“As we launch this initiative, we set in motion a transformative plan that will significantly elevate the quality of life in Talladega. This project is not just an investment in technology; it is a commitment to safeguard children and enhance mobility for all members of the community.” he added.


“Given that Talladega is home to Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, which serves blind, vision impaired and deaf children from elementary through high school and employs over a thousand blind and visually impaired people at Alabama Industries for the Blind, it is imperative that we update our traffic infrastructure,” said City Manager Derrick Swanson. “Feedback regarding the grant has been outstanding.  AIDB and other community partners are thrilled, and we are all thankful to the U.S. Department of Transportation for helping us to create a safer, more walkable city.”