When you hear the words “smart mobility,” you might imagine a scene from your favorite science fiction movie, or maybe a flying car from The Jetsons. When we think about smart mobility at DriveOhio, we’re focused on four things: improving safety, increasing reliability, providing greater access to mobility for all, and preparing our workforce for the future.

DriveOhio is the state’s one-stop shop for all things autonomous and connected across Ohio.  We bring together dozens of public and private entities, serving as the hub for development, testing and deployment of advanced mobility solutions. We work in partnership with industry, educators, government and community stakeholders to unlock the benefits of smart mobility.

What does smart mobility look like in your community today?

In July 2018, the Ohio Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center kicked off drone research projects in East Liberty and Springfield with the Ohio State University and more than a dozen public and private partners to develop low-altitude air traffic control for commercial drones, building next-generation infrastructure for drone package delivery, road traffic management, and other applications yet to be imagined.

In October 2018, Honda demonstrated “smart intersection” connected vehicle technology in downtown Marysville along the US 33 Smart Mobility Corridor, showcasing “vehicle-to-everything” (V2X) safety communication features including emergency vehicle approach warnings and pedestrian and motorcycle alerts that will reduce accidents at intersections and save lives.

In December 2018, DriveOhio and Smart Columbus launched passenger service for a self-driving shuttle in downtown Columbus, offering improved access to mobility paired with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) workforce education programs, while preparing for future self-driving shuttle rollouts across central Ohio and around the state.

What does smart mobility look like in your vehicle today?

It might include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, enhanced braking, or other advanced driver assist safety features.  AAA and DriveOhio are partnering on a variety of statewide initiatives over the upcoming year to educate and engage with anyone who’s interested in learning more about the benefits of smart mobility technology.

What can you do to get involved?

Watch for updates from AAA and DriveOhio on seminars and hands-on events in the coming months.  In the meantime, come on down to the Scioto Mile in Columbus and experience for yourself what it’s like to take a ride on a self-driving shuttle.  Buckle up, Ohio – we’re just getting started.

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