DriveOhio News: August 2026

Ohio Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 08/31/2026 12:40 PM EDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

2025 Annual Report Now Available

DriveOhio’s 2025 annual report is now available on our website. The document offers an overview of the past year’s organizational milestones, detailing work completed in advanced air mobility, uncrewed aircraft systems, connected and automated vehicle technologies, energy resilience, data and AI implementation, and workforce training pipeline development.

Highlights include:

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) & Uncrewed Aviation: Established ODOT’s dedicated Division of AAM to lead statewide strategy and launched the nation's first Statewide Drones for First Responders (DFR) pilot program.
Automated Vehicles: Deployed partially automated freight trucks along the I-70 corridor between Columbus and Indianapolis to advance middle-mile logistics testing
Connected Vehicles & Infrastructure: Expanded roadside units and connected intersection pilots in key regional corridors to improve work zone safety and emergency response times.
Transportation Energy & Resilience: Achieved "Fully Built Out" certification for charging infrastructure along Ohio's Alternative Fuel Corridors while expanding NEVI-funded fast-charging stations across the state.
Data, AI & Advanced Analytics: Integrated vehicle-based sensing and artificial intelligence tools to detect roadway hazards and support proactive infrastructure maintenance.
Workforce Development: Released the DriveOhio Campus Collection for higher education and expanded STEM resources through the K-12 Educator Toolkit video series.

Read the Report

New Curriculum Release: AutomatE

Earlier this summer, DriveOhio released new autonomous transportation modules as part of the Educator Toolkit library of resources. AutomatE introduces students to robotics, smart logistics, and autonomous delivery through lesson plans broken down by grade band (K-12). All modules are aligned with Ohio Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and state technology standards.

Register for the Toolkit

Request for Proposals

NOW OPEN: NEVI Charging Stations - Round 4

ODOT and DriveOhio's Request for Proposals (RFP) for Round 4 of NEVI is now available on Bid Express.

Round 4 continues Ohio's commitment to expanding reliable, publicly accessible DC fast charging infrastructure across the state. This solicitation seeks qualified entities to develop, construct, operate, and maintain NEVI-compliant charging stations.

Round 4 RFP

Upcoming Events

2026 ITS Midwest Conference

September 22 at 10:30 a.m.
Panel Discussion: Automated Vehicle Updates,
Breanna Badanes

September 23 at 2:30 p.m.
Breakout Session: From Patchwork to Pathway: Harmonizing AAM Policy in the Midwest, Bob Tanner