Columbus CEO | June 2020 | Special Insert by The Columbus Region

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Challenge Accepted How Smart Columbus Electrified the Region

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COLUMBUS’ JOURNEY TO SMART

170 S. Civic Center Dr. Columbus, OH 43215 614-223-2170 • smart.columbus.gov

Chief Innovation Officer, City of Columbus

Michael Stevens Smart Columbus Program Manager, City of Columbus

Mandy Bishop Project Manager, City of Columbus

Some of the Smart Columbus team with former U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in the Smart Columbus Experience Center

Bud Braughton Vice President, Smart Cities, Columbus Partnership

Mark Patton Director, Smart Cities, Columbus Partnership

Jordan Davis Director, Marketing & Communications, Smart Columbus

Jennifer Fening Storyteller & Editor, Smart Columbus

Donna Marbury Cover photo by

Gottesman Photography All photos courtesy Smart Columbus unless otherwise noted.

62 E. Broad St., P.O. Box 1289 Columbus, Ohio 43216 614-888-4567 • columbusceo.com DMG Interim General Manager

Alan D. Miller Publisher/General Manager

Ray Paprocki Project Manager

Emma Frankart Henterly Production/Design Director

Craig Rusnak Art Director

Yogesh Chaudhary Challenge Accepted is published by GateHouse Media, LLC. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted © 2020, all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited.

SMART IS JUST THE START

hen Columbus beat 77 other cities to win the U.S. Department of Transportation’s $50 million Smart City Challenge in 2016, we had a vision to improve quality of life for residents in the Columbus Region through more equitable, accessible and sustainable mobility options. Since winning the Challenge, we have leveraged more than $720 million of investment from the community toward achieving this vision. The $10 million Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grant Columbus was awarded through the Challenge has enabled us to radically decrease greenhouse gas emissions through increased electric vehicle (EV) adoption in our region. Doing so has created a halo effect of jobs, development and innovation that impacts every resident and business. Through the collective impact of 100+ organizations working in alignment with Smart Columbus, our region has emerged as a national leader and is now the fastest-growing EV market in the Midwest. And we did it the Columbus Way—by partnering with the public, private, academic and nonprofit sectors at every step. When we won the Challenge, we promised that “Smart is Just the Start.” The success stories in these pages are evidence that the foundation for cleaner, more sustainable transportation is here in

Smart Columbus / Columbus CEO / JUNE 2020

Columbus. As our region grows, we stand together in support of a goal to be carbon neutral by 2050. The foundation of the Smart Columbus Electrification Program is where we will emerge not just as a leader in electrification, but in climate. As we continue to come together to respond to the Covid-19 outbreak, the work of Smart Columbus will help to make our community stronger. Efforts through the Electrification Program to fight climate change will benefit our residents’ health. The program’s commitment to solving challenges felt by our neighbors in need will take on a renewed importance as we pursue shared prosperity. Join us as we celebrate our community through the Smart Columbus Electrification Program, knowing that the investments we’ve made today will continue to impact generations to come.

Andrew J. Ginther Mayor, City of Columbus

Alex Fischer President and CEO Columbus Partnership

s winner of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) 2016 Smart City Challenge, the City of Columbus was awarded $50 million in grants to accelerate human progress by testing innovative ways to reinvent transportation. “It’s in this spirit that we’re pursuing our smart city transformation and turning the Smart City Challenge win into an initiative that will improve quality of life, enhance safety, foster sustainability and drive economic development in our region,” says Michael Stevens, Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Columbus. The Challenge called on midsize cities to do more than introduce new technologies onto city streets. It called on them to boldly envision new solutions that would change the face of transportation in our cities using smart design, so that the future of transportation meets the needs of all residents. Columbus received $50 million in the form of two grants: $40 million from the USDOT and $10 million from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. Public and private sector leaders came together to write Columbus’ Challenge application and committed to match the $50 million in grant funding with a $90 million Acceleration Fund—aligned investments intended to scale and sustain our city’s smart city growth. These dollars provided the seed funding for Smart Columbus—a region-wide Smart City initiative co-led by the City of Columbus and the Columbus Partnership. Today, the Acceleration Fund has grown to $720 million, transforming our region into an epi-

center of smart mobility innovation. Columbus’ unique collaboration across sectors, dubbed The Columbus Way, gave us an advantage in the Challenge, says Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin. “We talk about The Columbus Way like it is a truly altruistic expression of the city. We do partnerships The Columbus Way because it works,” Hardin says. “You stack hands, lean in, partner, share ideas and check egos, because it makes projects better. I think that those public/private partnerships are important if we want to continue to thrive in this community.”

Preparing for Regional Growth Transportation is now the leading emitter of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2016, more than 82% of commuters in the Columbus region drove to work alone in a car, and just 0.37% of vehicles sold in the sevencounty region were electric vehicles (EVs). With the region projected to grow from 2 million to 3 million residents by 2050, the city’s over-reliance on single occupancy gas cars stood to create even more traffic congestion and pollution in the city. Smart Columbus aimed to pilot and drive adoption campaigns to change this trajectory. Aligning with the vision of the $10 million Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by electrifying the transportation sector, we galvanized our private

Leaders from across the Columbus community came together to craft the winning Smart City Challenge application.

“Mobility is the great equalizer of the 21st century.” Columbus Mayor ANDREW J. GINTHER JUNE 2020 / Columbus CEO / Smart Columbus

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ELECTRIFYING HOW WE MOVE FOR THE FUTURE

16,062 sector partners to jump-start our transition to a more sustainable mobility culture that prioritizes EVs and makes it easy to get to a job without a car of your own. The grant-funded Electrification Plan concluded in March 2020 with unprecedented success. Columbus has now emerged as the fastestgrowing EV market in the Midwest, despite unfavorable policy trends and national market pressures. “We are still at the beginning of our journey to becoming smart, but

Smart Columbus Playbook.com Visit for more best practices and lessons learned.

SMART COLUMBUS

ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAM IMPACT Smart Columbus has engaged with more than 100,000 residents, growing awareness of EVs and the region’s growing mobility options. there is no doubt that winning the Smart City Challenge has provided Columbus the greatest opportunity to transform,” says Mark Patton, Vice President of Smart Columbus for the Columbus Partnership.

USDOT Program Empowers Residents through Mobility Access As the $10 million Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grant program concludes, the City of Columbus will continue to execute the $40 million USDOT grant program through 2021. The grant program’s eight projects together work to improve quality of life through improved mobility for Columbus’ residents. “Throughout the program, the focus has been on people,” says Mandy Bishop, Program Manager for the City of Columbus, Smart Columbus, about the USDOT project portfolio. “The application of new technology to solve real community

Columbus residents and visitors took a ride aboard the Smart Circuit, Ohio’s first self-driving shuttle.

challenges has the ability to improve safety and quality of life and make real and positive impacts in residents’ lives.” The Linden LEAP, a oneyear pilot that launched in February 2020, is the first daily operational self-driving shuttle piloted in a residential neighborhood in the U.S. The Pivot app enables residents and visitors to plan and pay for trips through the city across multiple modes of transportation. Six smart mobility hubs in Linden, Easton and downtown will provide several transportation options in one place. The hubs are “smart” thanks to an “IKE”

Smart Columbus / Columbus CEO / JUNE 2020

“With this invaluable opportunity comes unique challenges. But in the face of all we’ve encountered, one theme has emerged as the critical ingredient to our success: the spirit of collaboration.”

kiosk created by Orange Barrel, which provides access to Wi-Fi, emergency calling, social services, maps and the Pivot app. The Mobility Assistance for People with Cognitive Abilities app was piloted with 23 people in 2019 as a multi-sensory mobile app that enables users with cognitive disabilities to navigate transit with greater independence. As the primary research partner for Smart Columbus, The Ohio State University provided support to six of the eight USDOT projects and committed $15 million in support and research, with $2 million directly impacting USDOT projects. Faculty in the College of Medicine are leading the research work for a project designed to address Columbus’ infant mortality

rates by connecting pregnant women to reliable transportation so they may better access healthcare. Faculty from the College of Arts & Sciences are assessing the impacts of Smart Columbus on mobility, accessibility, social equity and economic development. Other Ohio State researchers are developing educational materials on the Mobility Assistance for People with Cognitive Abilities app. “We felt strongly about making a meaningful investment in the Smart Columbus collaborative initiative because innovative research that improves the health and prosperity of a community is central to Ohio State’s land-grant mission,” says Michael Papadakis, Ohio State’s Chief Financial Officer.

SPARKING MODE SHIFT

In three years, Columbus has increased electric vehicle (EV) adoption by 500% and emerged as the fastest-growing EV market in the Midwest through education and programs that will impact innovation and sustainability in the city for years to come. Here are some of the ways Smart Columbus has laid the foundation for a more sustainable transportation ecosystem:

DRIVING EV ADOPTION

3,263 EVs sold (grant goal: 3,200)

Highest month of regional EV sales: 2.34% from baseline 0.37%

Trained dealers on new business models and increased EV supply

32 local dealers’ sales

(grant goal: 1.8%)

teams received electrification training

255

61%

public fleet EVs purchased, with 200 purchased by the City of Columbus

of EV models available across the country are available for sale in Columbus

Put residents behind the wheel of an EV through the Ride & Drive Roadshow

Companies now see transportation as an employee benefit

31 companies have introduced additional new transportation benefit programs, which more than 1,000 employees are using

3,500+ shared bikes and electric scooters landed in Columbus, growing and electrifying mobility options

BUILDING A NETWORK OF REGIONAL CHARGING

11,956 EV test drives completed at 120 sites

From 70 charging ports in 2016 to 900+ in 2020

85%

419

of drivers say they are likely or very likely to go electric after their test drive

charging ports installed at 63 workplaces (up from 3 workplaces with 49 charging ports in 2017)

34%

116 new residential/multi-unit development charging ports

of drivers say an EV was “for them” after their test drive

32 DC Fast AEP-powered charging ports installed

“We do partnerships The Columbus Way because it works.” SHANNON HARDIN, Columbus City Council President JUNE 2020 / Columbus CEO / Smart Columbus

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EXPANDING EV CHARGING IN THE COLUMBUS REGION Columbus’ first downtown DC Fast chargers on Fulton Street, featuring artwork by Columbus College of Art & Design students funded by the Columbus Foundation and Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

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ne of the first things prospective electric vehicle (EV) buyers ask is, “How do I charge?” In Columbus, that is now an easy question to answer. Beyond charging at home, charging is now conveniently available at nearly every large employer, near major highways, at Huntington Bank branches and at the city’s main attractions and destinations including The Ohio State University, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the Arena District, Easton Town Center, John Glenn Columbus International Airport and the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The presence of charging increases the confidence of future and current EV owners that Columbus is an easy place to own an EV. Since 2016, Smart Columbus and our partners have installed more than 900 charging ports at apartments and condominiums, public places, workplaces and for fleets throughout the seven-county Columbus region, thanks in great part to AEP Ohio. Electric companies play a vital role in

“Columbus has developed a reputation as a thought leader for smart growth and sustainability in the Midwest, and residential EV charging is an important part of that story.” FRANK SASSO, President of Kaufman Development

Smart Columbus / Columbus CEO / JUNE 2020

Developers Use EV Charging as an Attractive Amenity

By the end of 2020, Huntington Bank, headquartered in Columbus, will have Level 2 chargers at each of three corporate worksites and 40-60 local bank branches in the region.

accelerating EV adoption and ensuring that the transition to EVs has a positive environmental impact. AEP Ohio has partnered with Smart Columbus since its inception, creating a $9.5 million EV charging incentive program that helped to spur the installation of EV chargers throughout the region. “We knew from the beginning that the Smart Columbus effort was a unique opportunity to work with an extensive group of partners committed to making Columbus the definitive smart city,” says Raja Sundararajan, AEP Ohio President and Chief Operating Officer. “As the local energy company, we understood the critical role we held in the success of the program. Our work with Smart Columbus has helped us to increase the number of EV charging stations; we’ll use this experience and lessons learned as we expand technologies to other areas of the state.” Beyond its EV charging program, AEP Ohio has supported Columbus’ transformation into a Smart City through innovative technologies such as smart meters, smart street lighting, micro-grids and equipment that makes the electric grid smarter, stronger and more efficient for everyone. The company’s support of clean energy, produced in Ohio, is a huge step in our effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the energy we use to power our city. In total, AEP Ohio has

aligned $185 million in investments that directly link to achieving Smart Columbus’ electrification goals.

Employers Now Offering Charging to Employees The availability of workplace charging is a considerable driver of consumer EV purchases. Since Smart Columbus started, 63 work sites have installed 419 EV charging ports in the Columbus region. Another 100 charging ports are being installed and will come online in the near future. Huntington installed 20 EV charging ports, joining AEP Ohio and Abercrombie & Fitch in offering dozens of charging ports at worksites. Alliance Data recently installed 28 EV charging ports and upgraded 20 ports to newer models. “We believe in the strength and power of public-private partnerships, and through Smart Columbus, we introduced electric vehicle charging stations at our Gateway and Easton facilities, as well as several of our branches. Our environmental management system, commitment to green buildings and other initiatives speak to our broad-based approach to environmental sustainability,” says Sue Zazon, Huntington’s Regional President for Central Ohio.

With 40% of households in the City of Columbus and surrounding suburbs classified as multi-unit dwellings (MUDs), Smart Columbus identified MUD charging as potential challenge to its EV adoption goals. In response, Smart Columbus worked closely with developers to make charging a new amenity for residents. Frank Sasso, President of Kaufman Development, says that offering no-cost EV charging to tenants is in step with the evolving transportation culture and renter expectations in the Columbus region. “We have a number of residents who own EVs, often as their primary or only vehicle. Having EV charging at the property allows them to drive less, because they no longer need to hunt for a charge elsewhere,” Sasso says. Of the eight properties Kaufman has developed in the Columbus region, five have EV charging. One was retrofitted with EV chargers and four were built with EV chargers installed during construction. Kaufman is opening a second division of its Gravity property in 2020, and as a part of a 900-vehicle parking garage, 12 EV chargers will be active when it opens, with capacity to install up to 20 chargers in the future. Many developers took advantage of both Smart Columbus’ and AEP Ohio’s residential charging incentive programs. AEP Ohio installed 54 charging ports, with an additional 26 ports going online through 2020. Kaufman Development was one of seven developers, including Casto, Champion, NEP, Pizzuti, T&R Properties and SP+, that received a rebate from Smart Columbus for residential EV charging.

READ MORE How your organization can create a workplace charging plan.

JUNE 2020 / Columbus CEO / Smart Columbus

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dren’s future. For my family, driving an electric vehicle has been an easy and significant way to reduce our footprint and teach our kids that every action helps!” says Doug Ulman, President and CEO of Pelotonia.

BUSINESSES DRIVE MOBILITY CULTURE SHIFT

mart Columbus is taking a unique approach to increasing electric vehicle (EV) adoption by partnering with the private sector to help employees choose a more sustainable way to get to work. Through innovative education and incentive programs, Smart Columbus and its employer partners are reducing congestion and emissions while also addressing equity. In late 2017, Smart Columbus launched the Acceleration Partner program to organize and rally private sector partners to a series of five commitments that would result in employees driving electric and relying less on personal vehicles. To date, 70 companies have signed on to help drive the culture change that will allow our region to grow smart. “There’s a lot of energy and excitement throughout OhioHealth when it comes to the Smart Columbus initiatives. We’ve installed more than 50 charging stations across our system, we’re piloting benefits and programs to decrease single occupancy vehicles, and we’ve added an electric vehicle to our fleet with plans for more in the near future,” says Terri W. Meldrum, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel for OhioHealth. “As a healthcare organization, we see it as a win-win for everyone: decreased tailpipe emis-

sions, clearer air and engagement of our associates in making Columbus a healthier community for all of us.”

Acceleration Partner Goals and Impact 1. Empowered company leaders drove change Each of the 70 employers committed to the program assigned an executive sponsor to direct the company’s engagement in Smart Columbus and empower cross-functional teams to fulfill their organization’s program commitments. Participating companies also identified a mobility ambassador, to lead internal programming. 2. Leaders and companies went electric CEO members of the Columbus Partnership and Acceleration Partner company executives were challenged to support the initiative by buying an EV themselves. Fifty Columbus executives are now driving electric. Also, companies were offered assistance to transition corporate fleet vehicles to EVs. “I believe that it is our collective responsibility to protect the environment, and we can each make choices—both large and small—that help protect and ensure our chil-

3. Major worksites installed EV charging People are six times more likely to buy an EV if they see charging at their workplace. Increased EV charging at workplaces helped to expose thousands of residents to EVs and normalize EV culture. 4. Educated employees on smart mobility options Companies were asked to send their senior leadership and key team members through the 2017 Smart Columbus Live series to learn about the Smart Columbus initiative. In total, 1,500 residents from 350 unique organizations attended, with dozens more hosting presentations for their associates. Acceleration Partners also hosted Smart Columbus’ record-breaking Ride & Drive Roadshow, which put nearly 12,000

Employees at Huntington’s Easton campus learning about the benefits of EVs

SHANNON TOLLIVER, Social Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability Manager for White Castle Smart Columbus / Columbus CEO / JUNE 2020

Smart Columbus’ mobility ambassadors ensure that internal mobility benefits and education are initiated at partner companies. residents behind the wheel of an EV. More than 80% of the program’s events were held at workplaces. “Through our partnership with Smart Columbus, we have dramatically increased awareness and adoption of EVs among our associate population,” says Rob Corron, Vice President of Real Estate for Alliance Data. “Our associates have enjoyed learning through direct access to EVs during our popular Ride & Drive events, and our incentive program has driven our EV count to 35, up from only four just two-and-a-half years ago. The growth has driven us to create an EV community for establishing sharing guidelines for our free charging stations.”

“Benefits we created in partnership with Smart Columbus are now helping with recruiting and retention, and with making sure team members have a reliable way to work.” 8

Mobility Ambassadors Make Mode Shift Real

5. Created new mobility benefits for employees Thirty-one companies partnered with Smart Columbus to create mobility benefit programs to help associates get to work reliably, sustainably and affordably. White Castle extended subsidized bus passes to all employees. Fahlgren Mortine reduced solo car commutes by 48% in one week through an

internal carpooling match program. Alliance Data offered rebates that helped 16 employees buy an EV through a short-term incentive program. State Auto and 20 other companies launched microtransit services for their employees. All of these programs complement and enhance programs sponsored by the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District to promote alternative mobility options. “We have always been a familyowned business where we put our team members first, and we have a lot of benefits. With mobility benefits being something different that we haven’t done before, our leadership was curious to conduct a pilot and discover the potential impact. Benefits we created in partnership with Smart Columbus are now helping with recruiting and retention, and with making sure team members have a reliable way to work,” says Shannon Tolliver, Social Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability Manager for White Castle.

As participants in the Acceleration Partner program, companies select an employee to serve as a Mobility Ambassador, who acts as a crossfunctional project manager to lead internal campaigns focused on changing the commuter culture of their company. Smart Columbus provides Mobility Ambassadors with expert assistance for shifting mobility behaviors within their companies and convenes a forum for Ambassadors to share ideas and best practices. Fifty participating companies have designated a total of 60 Mobility Ambassadors to the program. “I’ve had a dedicated focus on implementing alternative mobility programming as we plan to move to our new campus in Franklinton. When considering the size of our company, our rapid growth rate, and knowing that behavior change is hard, it was important to dedicate resources to our mobility initiatives early on,” says Jenn Beck, Campus Coordinator at CoverMyMeds, who also serves as the company’s Mobility Ambassador. CoverMyMeds was among the first companies in central Ohio to launch microtransit services. Their mobility strategy now includes a variety of smart mobility services, along with education and incentives that work to encourage employees to use the services. The company’s downtown Columbus office locations have access to frequent bus lines, bike share, shared scooters, Zipcar and off-road bike trails, and some employees can participate in central Ohio’s free bus pass program, C-pass. “I am confident that our employees will continue to explore and participate in the alternative transportation options we encourage, and that this will help inspire positive change throughout the community,” Beck says.

JUNE 2020 / Columbus CEO / Smart Columbus

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Ride & Drive event visited by Stinger of the Columbus Blue Jackets

CHANGING 14% COMMUTER CULTURE

increase in ridership on COTA’s rush hour lines because of C-pass contribution

RIDE & DRIVES PUT RESIDENTS BEHIND THE WHEEL

Test drives give people hands-on experiences with EVs and their technology.

Post-drive surveys from the Ride & Drive program show that 85% of people are likely or very likely to go electric after one of our test drives. More than 30% of drivers said “EVs are for me” after their test drive. These businesses had the highest number of Ride & Drive test drives, helping us to change mindsets toward EVs.

Top 10 Ride & Drives

Total Drives

Total Events

2,243 698 655 651 519 466 440 413 348 280 279

14 6 4 4 4 4 5 2 2 2 2

JPMorgan Chase Cardinal Health The Ohio State University Huntington Bancshares Alliance Data Columbus International Auto Show American Electric Power (AEP) L Brands CAS Nationwide Children’s Hospital Grange Insurance

Smart Columbus / Columbus CEO / JUNE 2020

esearch shows that the most impactful way to educate drivers on electric vehicles (EVs) is to put them behind the wheel. Smart Columbus’ flagship program for educating central Ohioans on EVs was a touring test drive series called the Ride & Drive Roadshow, which put 11,956 people behind the wheel and 700 more in the passenger seat. Considered the largest EV test drive program ever scaled in 24 months, we estimate the program has influenced the purchase or lease of over 950 EVs over the last two years. The Ride & Drive Roadshow was carried out over 120 events at 57 host locations, 84% of which took places at workplaces. Employers such as CAS, Cardinal Health, the City of Columbus, AEP Ohio and law firm Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease each turned out hundreds of employees to take an EV test drive during the workday. Larger hosts held multi-day events or hosted events at multiple locations. JPMorgan Chase hosted the Ride & Drive Roadshow in conjunction with week-long mobility education events at its Polaris campus. Their weeklong annual events resulted in 2,056 employees taking a test drive—and breaking the program’s record, with 276 drives in one day. “JPMorgan Chase is focused on advancing sustainability in our operations, and our partnership with Smart Columbus is a great example of that work in action,” says Anthony Anzic, Executive Director and Columbus Site Manager at JPMorgan Chase. “Our employees bring the passion and dedication to this effort, and thanks to the resources and support from Smart Columbus, we are making significant progress in tackling mobility challenges.”

aunched in June 2018, the Downtown C-pass program enables eligible companies to offer free, unlimited transit access to employees. Downtown C-pass was launched by property owners in the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District (CCSID) in partnership with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) in association with Smart Columbus.

52% of companies say C-pass boosts employee morale.

34% Driving Mobility Forward

of companies say C-pass is helping with recruitment and retention.

440+ companies enrolled, including the 50 largest companies in the eligibility area.

30,000+ More than half the eligible pool of workers are enrolled.

Increased COTA Ridership from 5% to between 10% and 14% among the eligible population.

68% of employees say they started using COTA because of C-pass.

There’s an App for that Pivot is a first-of-its-kind mobility app that makes it easier for central Ohioans to get around. The app integrates trip planning, booking, electronic ticketing and payment so residents can easily move from bus, to bike, to taxi, to ride share, to scooter and get where they need to go conveniently, affordably and safely.

LEARN MORE about Pivot by scanning the QR code below.

Columbus is buzzing with more ways to get around than ever before. Residents have taken more than 40,000 rides on a CoGo bike in the past year, thanks to 26 new stations in the region, 13 of which are located in Columbus. SHARE, a microtransit company operating a 60-vehicle fleet focused on scheduled, reoccurring rides, was launched in 2017 by Ryan McManus after he served as Smart Columbus’ Entrepreneur in Residence. The company participated in Singularity University’s Smart City Accelerator Program to earn its first venture capital funding round and now provides mobility services to Smart Columbus Acceleration Partners including JP Morgan Chase, State Auto and CoverMyMeds, with plans to expand to Cincinnati, Cleveland and other cities across the Midwest. Nearly 3,500 shared mobility devices are now in the region, since dockless electric scooters and bikes were dropped in the city in summer of 2018. Many of the device vendors have worked closely with Smart Columbus and the City of Columbus to ensure that these devices are distributed safely and are available in all neighborhoods. As mobility vendors are permitted to bring devices to Columbus, they must agree to locate a percentage of devices in low-income neighborhoods and offer alternative payment options for people who may be unbanked. This promotes access to transportation for city residents who need it most, including those who use micro-mobility devices to get to school or work.

JUNE 2020 / Columbus CEO / Smart Columbus

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LOCAL DEALERS EMBRACE THE FUTURE

lectric vehicles (EVs) are not yet produced in mass quantities by brand, and a lack of state mandates do not incentivize car companies to send EVs to Columbus. As a result, Columbus dealerships have lacked a business case to sell EVs. When the Smart Columbus Electrification Program began, Honda plug-in vehicles were not available locally. Honda, a Smart Columbus partner that has operations headquartered in the region, prioritized distributing the Honda Clarity to Columbus—and local dealers sold out. Smart Columbus’ most active allies have been the 32 local car

dealerships that have become certified “Smart Columbus Electrified Dealers” through completion of electrification-specific training, installation of charging stations, and adequate supply of EV product. “As we look into the future of mobility and transportation, we realize that we must continue to be on the forefront of change, as EV adoption is projected to increase sharply in years to come,” says Rick Ricart, President of Ricart Automotive Group. “We’re very excited for the future, and we don’t have to look too far. In the next two to three years we will see fleets of [EV] vehicles, company vehicles,

SMART COLUMBUS ELECTRIFIED DEALERS

subscription vehicles, rental vehicles, rideshare vehicles and more.” Dave Gill Chevrolet put a distinct focus on selling EVs and has emerged as one of the more successful EV dealerships in the nation. “The number one thing that has helped us leverage the dealership in the community and the region is when Smart Columbus approached us,” says Matt Ringlien, Pre-owned Vehicle Sales Manager of Dave Gill Chevrolet. “Internal combustion cars are going to be around for a long, long time. But … we know the long-term future of the business is going to be based on EVs.”

Morgan Kauffman, CEO and Owner of Columbus Yellow Cab

The City of Columbus bought 200 EVs for its fleets.

COLUMBUS LEADS THE WAY IN EV FLEET ADOPTION

lectrifying vehicle fleets is the most cost-effective way for our region to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. During the Electrification Program, 313 fleet electric vehicles (EVs) were procured by a diverse number of organizations, including Columbus Yellow Cab, the City of Columbus, The Ohio State University, the City of Dublin, Franklin County, Land Grant Brewing and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Over the next five years, the EV market will expand with viable electric heavy-duty vehicles, trucks, buses and other work machinery that will change the make-up of

transportation forever. Given the region’s substantial logistics operations, significant automotive presence and experience with electrification, Columbus is well positioned to be on the forefront of EV fleet adoption in the next decade.

Columbus Yellow Cab Reinvents the Taxi Industry Columbus Yellow Cab has embraced a start-up mindset within a generations-old family business to take calculated risks that have kept the

company profitable and relevant in a rapidly changing industry. The 90-year-old company, helmed by CEO and Owner Morgan Kauffman, pushes the boundaries of technology within their framework of customer-first thinking and empowerment, where customers are the passengers but also the drivers and co-workers. “As part of the Columbus Yellow Cab growth and sustainability strategy, we have created programs committed to the common-sense use of EVs in taxi and transportation network company fleets,” Kauffman says. “Solar charging, partnerships for EV charging locations, a decentralized taxi model, a keyless entry and reservation mobile app for drivers, a mobile app for customers to summon a vehicle, and smart car washing that limits water and organic waste are just the start to create mobility value equity for everyone in Columbus.” The company plans to transition its 200-car fleet to EVs, starting with 10 Tesla Model 3s placed into operation in 2019.

“We must continue to be on the forefront of change, as EV adoption is projected to increase sharply.” RICK RICART, President of Ricart Automotive Group

Smart Columbus / Columbus CEO / JUNE 2020

JUNE 2020 / Columbus CEO / Smart Columbus

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COLUMBUS: AMERICA’S SMART REGION

mart Columbus has leveraged aligned investment from regional partners to create a movement toward a more sustainable and connected future for our community. What started as $90 million of aligned investment now stands at $720 million today, which is estimated to have inspired $298 million in regional economic activity resulting in 3,900 full- and part-time jobs. “The work of Smart Columbus has been an essential part of the forward-thinking innovation happening in our region. As we all work together to realize our shared vision of becoming the most prosperous region in the United States, it’s critical that we continue to enable this innovation and have a strong focus on the mobility services of the future,” says Kenny McDonald, President and CEO of One Columbus. Smart Columbus, and the collective innovation and leadership from partners across the region, has raised the profile and brand of the Columbus

Region in an unprecedented way. The Smart Columbus Experience Center that opened in 2018 has welcomed over 30,000 visitors from more than 80 cities and 10 countries. Our community has quickly become known globally as “America’s Smart City.”

Epicenter for Autonomous Vehicle Advancement The Transportation Research Center (TRC) is the largest independent vehicle test facility in the U.S. In 2019, they expanded their facility with the opening of the SMARTCenter, a 4,500-acre autonomous and connected vehicle testing environment where auto manufacturers and technology companies from around the world can prove out their innovation in a variety of real-world scenarios. Extending from TRC in East Liberty through Marysville and into Dublin is the Beta District, which features

The Virgin Hyperloop One pod at COSI

Smart Columbus / Columbus CEO / JUNE 2020

NEXT-Generation Energy Technologies for Connected and Automated On-Road Vehicles being developed at OSU CAR, on display at CES in Las Vegas a 35-mile smart highway facilitating research and development of autonomous and connected vehicle technology. Marysville, Dublin and Columbus are advancing connected vehicle research and development by installing 179 smart signals at intersections to send safety messages to equipped vehicles on the roadway. These testing environments comprise the ultimate living laboratory for advancing transportation technologies in private and public settings. Without the strong support from the State of Ohio, none of this would be possible. In October 2019, Gov. Mike DeWine reauthorized DriveOhio as a one-stop shop for those looking to develop, test and deploy smart mobility solutions in Ohio. Created by the Ohio Department of Transportation in 2018 by an executive order under Gov. John Kasich, the initiative has been instrumental in allowing for autonomous vehicle deployments on public roads. This paved the way for Columbus to be home to Ohio’s first self-driving shuttle deployment, Smart Circuit. The success of the one-year pilot on the Scioto Mile provided valuable lessons and best practices that informed the deployment, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), of the Linden LEAP in February 2020. Complimenting these urban deployments is another USDOT-funded, four-year initiative led by DriveOhio and TRC to develop

and deploy automated transportation solutions focused on rural roads and highways in southeast Ohio.

OSU’s Smart Investments The Ohio State University (OSU) has been one of the most significant partners in the Smart Columbus initiative, aligning research and developing a strategy to spread the Smart City movement throughout the institution. “Ohio State’s researchers have been collecting data and developing technology in the smart mobility space for years,” says Morley Stone, Senior Vice President for Research at OSU. “And we know smart goes beyond mobility, and we are developing new partnerships and strategies for connected solutions in other sectors such as energy, agriculture and healthcare.” The Ohio State Smart Campus strategic plan provides a holistic framework that engages the campus-wide living laboratory. Once fully implemented, the plan includes mobility, health and wellness, energy,

and sustainability and teaching. The OSU Center for Automotive Research (CAR) is an interdisciplinary research center in the university’s College of Engineering and the preeminent research center in sustainable and safe mobility in the U.S., supporting more than 10 companies with automotive research in the past year. Additionally, OSU students have been deeply engaged in Smart Columbus since the beginning, working as interns and Experience Center ambassadors, taking on challenges as class projects, participating in hackathons, creating their own Smart City projects on campus, and learning about smart mobility options at the First Year Student Columbus Welcome Event.

Bringing Innovation to Life Leadership by the public sector to pilot and scale new ways of delivering services is essential to becoming a smart city. Mayor Andrew J. Ginther appointed Michael Stevens, the city’s first Chief Innovation Officer, to spearhead the implementation of the Smart City Challenge grant. The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) hired visionary leader Joanna Pinkerton, who has a background in transportation innovation, as President and CEO. She has since brought on COTA’s first Chief Innovation Officer. The MidOhio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is leading a groundbreaking effort to position Columbus to be one of the first regions to operate a Hyperloop route. From Smart City kiosks to mobile fare payment on our buses, modern ways to experience our city are improving resident quality of life and enhancing visitor experiences. The Park-Columbus mobile app, pow-

ered by ParkMobile, rolled out in the Short North Arts District of Columbus in December 2018, allowing drivers to pay for and track their parking meter use on their smartphone. To date, the app has been downloaded 85,000 times. Parking Services plans to leverage the app in more Columbus neighborhoods within the next year. With the use of data and the power of the Smart Columbus Operating System, city departments including the Division of Parking Services are developing capabilities to more dynamically manage information and adjust policies. “We have a culture of innovation, and everything we learn will help us reduce congestion and increase mobility while preserving the uniqueness of our neighborhoods for all to enjoy,” says Robert Ferrin, Assistant Director of Parking Services.

Moving Forward Our commitment to becoming “smart” was never about one entity, one sector or any single technology. We also see this in Can’t Stop Columbus, an initiative sponsored by Smart Columbus and spearheaded from volunteers in the technology, business and nonprofit sectors, with a goal to make jobs, arts and resources more readily available to our communities as a response to the Covid-19 outbreak. The desire to become a more connected community is rooted in the belief that nextgeneration technologies and frameworks can transport our region to the future. As we anticipate adding 1 million more people to our region by 2050, our region-wide commitment to advancing what is new and next will position us to grow smart and become the most prosperous region in the U.S. Smart is just the start.

Central Ohio is quickly becoming a model for the nation on how to use smart, 21st-century transportation to help create economic growth and expand opportunity. ROB PORTMAN, (R-Ohio), U.S. Senator JUNE 2020 / Columbus CEO / Smart Columbus

Sp e cial Ad ve rtising Se ction

Thank you to our Partners For more electrification best practices for businesses, visit SmartColumbusPlaybook.com