Ohio-Led Collaborations Aim to Impact National Connected and Automated Vehicle Policy
 While today's roadway safety features like dynamic message signs and pavement markings are consistent from state to state, infrastructure standards related to new connected and automated vehicle technologies haven't yet been established. In many cases, state and federal agencies as well as industry are separately testing the effectiveness, researching requirements, and making deployment recommendations for these technologies. As a result, many different, custom solutions are often created for states to react to and accommodate.
Working towards a more coordinated approach, DriveOhio is leading several multi-agency collaborations, which aim to impact national policy and advance widespread public safety through the use of technology:
- The Automated Vehicle (AV) Pooled Fund includes nine state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) that contribute annual funding to coordinate AV research and deployment guidance at a national level. Specifically, the coalition seeks to implement projects that research vehicle-roadway interaction, identify and define standards, and encourage interoperability across state borders. In the coming months, the group expects to release multiple Requests for Proposals to identify AV safety standards, AV deployment lessons learned, and recommendations on AV-first responder interactions. To collaborate on AV research on a national level, feel free to join AccelerateAV.org, a forum created by the AV Pooled Fund for government, industry, and academia to work together in all areas promoting accelerated adoption of AV technology.
- This year, DriveOhio is responsible for management of the Smartbelt Coalition, a multi-state collaboration of DOTs and educational institutions with Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Jersey to facilitate research and standards development for emerging transportation technology. Leadership of the coalition rotates annually among its members, with new projects or focus areas each year. Under DriveOhio's leadership, the Smartbelt Coalition will study connected and automated vehicle technology related to work zone safety and information sharing.
- DriveOhio also recently funded a project to develop a consistent approach to connected vehicle (CV) messaging that could streamline applications and accelerate nationwide deployment of vehicle-to-everything technology. After engaging state and federal transportation agencies as well as dozens of industry stakeholders, DriveOhio published Standard Operating Principles for three CV applications: Curve speed warning, lane closure warning, and reduced speed warning. This effort was a milestone towards achieving the goal of nationwide interoperability. By providing direction towards standardized message content for road operators to broadcast, in-vehicle system manufacturers and application developers can focus on advancing one set of standard information.
NOW OPEN: Safety Application Prototypes
The Ohio Department of Transportation and DriveOhio are seeking companies to develop prototypes of two applications using ODOT's data streaming platform: 1) Crash Prediction and Proactive Mitigation and 2) Emergency Response Alert. Proposals must be received by January 25, 2024 at 1 p.m. EST.
|
NOW OPEN: Round 2 NEVI Stations
The Ohio Department of Transportation, through DriveOhio and its federal partners, is seeking companies to install and operate the next round of electric vehicle charging stations across Ohio as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. Proposals must be received by January 25, 2024 at 1 p.m. EST
|
 |
|
2024 Ohio Out-of-School Conference
DriveOhio's Rich Granger will lead a breakout session titled DriveOhio Educator Toolkit: Career Connections with Drones and Electric Vehicles on January 23 at 1 p.m.
|
 |
|
2024 Ohio Educational Technology Conference
DriveOhio's Rich Granger will present on the DriveOhio Educator Toolkit: Career Connections with Drones and Electric Vehicles on February 13 at 1 p.m.
|
|
