Abstract: This project addresses the overlooked transportation needs of rural communities, particularly in Region 4, by developing a framework to evaluate their readiness for emerging technologies such as automated vehicles, electric vehicles, and high-speed connectivity. The initiative aims to revolutionize rural transportation planning through four key objectives: creating innovative assessment tools for Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and planning agencies, enhancing rural connectivity and mobility to support local economies, promoting equitable outcomes in transportation, health, and economy, and advocating for a comprehensive planning strategy to strengthen rural infrastructure. The approach includes a detailed literature review, designing a readiness assessment framework, and extensive data collection and analysis to develop, test, and refine the readiness tool. The project lays a crucial groundwork for future advancements in rural transportation, suggesting further research on the technologies' long-term economic impacts and recommending partnerships with technology providers to ensure ongoing adaptation to technological progress.