Governor Wes Moore along with the Maryland Department of Planning announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation  has awarded the state a $1.76 million Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grant. Funding from this grant will help to pilot the use of cutting-edge drone aviation technology that will improve access to healthcare resources in communities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

SMART grants help to fund state, local, and Tribal governments in creating projects that are focused on advancing smart city or community technologies that aim to improve transportation efficiency and safety. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are one of many possibilities being used to address poor health outcomes that are linked to lack of transportation for obtaining medical services, especially in more rural areas. UAS can also help reduce travel time for healthcare providers by helping to ensure that homebound patients are properly served.

The Eastern Shore pilot program is expected to deliver medical packages between Crisfield in Somerset County and Smith Island, which is home to hundreds of residents who can only access the mainland through commercially-operated boat services. A commercial drone service provider will be selected to participate in technical preparation, obtaining Federal Aviation Administration permissions, and flight operations. A local health care provider will be selected to coordinate medical and pharmaceutical delivery support.

Read the full announcement