Washington DC launches mobility innovation district – Cities Today

Washington D.C. has introduced the creation of a Mobility Innovation District (MID) as a part of a public-private partnership between town’s Workplace of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Financial Improvement and the Southwest Enterprise Enchancment District (SWBID).

Supported by a US$3 million grant, the venture will experiment with modern transportation providers reminiscent of on-demand shuttles and electrification hubs, whereas additionally aiming to spur financial growth and job creation.

Positioned within the metropolis’s Southwest quadrant, the district will intention to enhance equitable entry to transportation for residents and guests and create a worldwide innovation hub “to indicate how mobility could make a metropolis extra equitable, sustainable, protected and affluent”.

“Mayor Bowser and the MID are working collectively to modernise our transportation infrastructure to extend the modes of transportation and create programs to make our public transportation system extra accessible to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income residents,” mentioned Washington, D.C. Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio.

“One in 4 adults nationwide lacks entry to protected, dependable transportation. The options we uncover will assist create a extra equitable metropolis and create fashions that may be replicated nationally, so each Washingtonian and American can entry alternatives and take advantage of their truthful shot.”

Town additionally hopes the MID will entice mobility corporations that convey new know-how to market and create jobs in DC.

Common Primary Mobility

As a part of the venture, the SWBID additionally introduced new Requests for Proposals for initiatives centered on Common Primary Mobility (UBM) and electrification.

The UBM pilot will present residents with a transportation stipend that they will use on a variety of public and privately operated transportation choices.

The venture will present perception into what future modes are wanted to serve residents who at the moment face a barrier to employment as a result of lack of transportation.

As a part of electrification efforts, town will deal with delivering electrical automobile charging infrastructure in public locations the place it doesn’t at the moment exist, with the aim of advancing the adoption of electrical automobiles and micromobility modes like electrical scooters and bicycles.

“The Southwest is the right neighbourhood to check and pilot new mobility concepts and applied sciences,” mentioned Steve Moore, Govt Director of the SWBID.

“The MID crops the seed for future-forward mobility options, new job coaching potentialities and the attraction of latest enterprise. Mobility options make an actual and lasting contribution to the standard of lifetime of our neighbours.

“And there are particular assurances as we step into the following three years of this venture: protected mobility.”

Picture: samuel-cesar-unsplash