City of Columbus - File #: 3148-2019

• File #: 3148-2019
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 11/24/2019
• In control: Public Service & Transportation Committee
• On agenda: 12/9/2019
• Final action: 12/12/2019
• Title: To authorize the transfer of appropriation within the Smart City Grant Fund and within the Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Fund; to authorize the Chief Innovation Officer to provide incentives to program participants relative to the Smart City Challenge Connected Vehicle Environment project; to authorize a waiver of the formal competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 for the purchase of the incentives; to authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Omnicard for the purchase and distribution of incentives to program participants; to authorize the expenditure of up to $390,000.00 from the Smart City Grant Fund for the purchase of the incentives; to authorize the expenditure of up to $38,675.00 from the Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Fund for the purchase of incentives and the cost of fees associated with the distribution of the incentives; and to declare an emergency. ($428,675.00)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
12/12/2019	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
12/11/2019	1	MAYOR	Signed
12/9/2019	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
12/9/2019	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass

Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to contract for the purchase and distribution of gift cards from Omnicard, and for the gift cards to be used to compensate research participants for the Smart City Connected Vehicle Environment project, a Smart City Challenge initiative, in an amount of up to $428,675.00.

The Smart City Challenge is a United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) grant program seeking to “create a fully integrated, first-of-its kind city that uses data, technology and creativity to shape how people and goods move in the future.” In 2016, the City of Columbus, acting through the Department of Public Service, applied for and won the Smart City Challenge, receiving a $40 million dollar grant from USDOT and a $10 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (Vulcan).

The Connected Vehicle Environment (CVE) will serve Central Ohio stakeholders by testing vehicle-to- infrastructure communication technologies at 77 traffic signals. The CVE will launch along Cleveland Avenue from Second Avenue to Morse Road, High Street from Fifth Avenue to Morse Road, and Morse Road from High Street to Stygler Road. These areas include intersections with some of the highest collision rates in the City.
During this pilot research program, devices called “on-board units” will be installed on public and private vehicles to allow vehicles to communicate with each other and receive in-car alerts, including blind spot detection and rear-end collision warning. The on-board units also allow vehicles to communicate with traffic signals and other roadway infrastructure to provide in-car alerts, including a red light violation warning. The alerts will give drivers advanced warning of potential hazards or safety concerns so they can slow down or take other precautionary measures. Traffic managers will be able to adjust traffic light timing and mobilize other responses like snow and salt trucks ba...