; (B) objectives to improve and measure system performance in 1 or more of— (i) system productivity; (ii) mobility, including impact on freight movements; (iii) livability and accessibility of goods, services, and activities; (iv) environment and fuel use; and (v) traveler and system safety, including advising individuals of potentially unsafe conditions and mitigating the impact of events that may cause vehicle accidents; and (C) a plan for partnering with private sector entities or public agencies, including multimodal and multijurisdictional entities, research institutions, organizations representing transportation and technology leaders, or other transportation stakeholders. (2) Criteria When evaluating applications under this section, the Secretary may not require that a pilot deployment under the program be based on research carried out or funded by the Department of Transportation. (g) Grant selection (1) Grant awards Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall award grants to not less than 3 and not more than 5 eligible entities described in subsection (c). (2) Geographic diversity In awarding a grant under this section, the Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that grant recipients represent diverse geographic areas of the United States, including urban areas and rural areas. (h) Grant management In carrying out the grant program under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) emphasize project sustainability and long-term funding goals; (2) create a noncompetitive environment and encourage collaboration among project sites; (3) balance the privacy of users and secure operations of pilot projects, while maintaining the ability to measure performance factors