Smart Rural Toolkit

A practical roadmap for rural communities planning and implementing innovative transportation systems.

The Smart Rural Toolkit translates real-world experience from rural mobility deployments and Smart Rural seminars into clear, actionable guidance for communities.

Why the Toolkit Exists

From Exploration to Implementation

Many rural communities are interested in exploring innovative transportation technologies but face challenges navigating funding, partnerships, workforce preparation, and deployment planning.

The Smart Rural Toolkit was developed to help communities move from early conversations to practical implementation strategies.

What Communities Can Do with the Toolkit

The Smart Rural Toolkit helps local leaders:

Understand mobility needs and opportunities within their community
Build partnerships with public agencies, vendors, and stakeholders
Explore emerging transportation technologies and deployment models
Prepare local workforce pipelines connected to transportation innovation
Navigate funding pathways and implementation strategies

Real-World Inspiration

The toolkit builds on lessons from projects such as goMARTI in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, one of the nation’s first rural autonomous and advanced technology transit deployments.

These experiences inform the practical guidance and frameworks included in the Smart Rural Toolkit.