YOUNGSTOWN The Western Reserve Transit Authority will demonstrate new driver-assistance and accident-avoidance technology on one of its buses on Tuesday. The event will highlight a system funded by a federal grant.

The demonstration is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday at Stambaugh Auditorium. It will showcase a WRTA bus equipped with the TONY/MAX system from Perrone Robotics.

The technology was funded by a $1.98 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation program. The grant was awarded to a consortium of transit systems, including WRTA and NEORide, a group of 30 transit systems across 11 states.

The TONY/MAX system features several enhancements designed to enhance safety. Forward Collision Avoidance and Automated Emergency Braking automatically apply the brakes if the system detects an impending crash.

The bus is also equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control, which adjusts the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of it, and Lane-Keeping Assistance, which helps the bus stay centered in its lane. The system also includes Blind Spot Detection and Side-Impact Alerts to warn the driver of nearby vehicles.

Officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation, WRTA, NEORide, and the Ohio Department of Transportation will speak at a press conference before the demonstration.

The speakers are expected to include Shaz Umer, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the U.S. Department of Transportation; WRTA CEO Dean Harris; Preeti Choudhary, Executive Director of Drive Ohio; and Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown.

Following the press conference, a test course will be set up outside the auditorium for a live demonstration of the technology