AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you drive on Austin roads you know how bad traffic can be.

To combat this issue growing concurrently with the population, the city is in the running for $50 million that could help ease congestion on the roads.

It’s called the “Smart City Challenge.” Mayor Steve Adler will talk about Austin’s bid later on today at the Energy Thought Summit.

Adler will discuss transportation innovation and the role it plays in reducing carbon emissions. The winner of the challenge will be announced in June.

“We really need to find the new technologies that are going to enable us to use our existing infrastructure smarter, in more innovative ways,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler.