The Ohio DOT (ODOT), DriveOhio, and the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments have announced a forum for next year that will feature automated and connected vehicle technology from across the globe.
The 2020 Ohio Smart Mobility Summit will be held July 16 and 17 at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio.
“Ohio is a leader in transportation innovation,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “The 2020 Ohio Smart Mobility Summit in Youngstown will attract national organizations, and provide opportunities for local communities, government, and industry to explore automated and connected smart mobility solutions on the ground and in the air.”
According to ODOT, the event will feature live demos, vendor exhibits, and guest speakers focused on automated and connected smart mobility solutions on the ground and in the air. The event is designed to be a great opportunity for local communities, government, industry, and research institutions to connect and discuss collaborative initiatives around automated, connected, electric, and shared technologies in Ohio.
“There is a paradigm shift underway in the transportation industry. The summit will shine a spotlight on the smart mobility ecosystem we have developed in Ohio," ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks said in a statement. "I firmly believe that automated and connected technology will make our roads safer, more efficient, and increase business opportunity for everyone. As we say, we want companies to come here to test; stay here to grow.”
The announcement for the summit was made during ODOT’s event with the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments detailing their U.S. DOT BUILD Grant project. The $10.5 million grant will be used to make mobility improvements to downtown Youngstown and to deploy an automated shuttle, operated by the Western Reserve Transit Authority, that will connect Youngstown State University, St. Elizabeth hospital, a business district, and an entertainment district. The grant is paired with $10 million in local match funds for a total project budget of $20.5 million.
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SOURCE: Ohio DOT / DriveOhio
