The future of transportation in Central Ohio is bright, thanks to the visionary projects honored at the inaugural MORPC Innovation in Mobility Awards. From cutting-edge research and design to fully deployed solutions, these award-winning initiatives showcase the diverse ways the Columbus Region is tackling transportation challenges, enhancing safety, and leveraging mobility to foster economic growth. Let's delve into the impactful work of our three distinguished recipients, representing three distinct phases of innovation: Research & Discovery, Pilot Demonstration, and Full Deployment. 

Pioneering the Path Forward: The Capital Line (Research & Discovery)

Innovation begins with exploration, and our Research & Discovery award winner, The Capital Line, embodies this spirit of visionary urban planning. This ambitious two-mile urban pathway concept from Downtown Columbus represents the critical research and discovery phase that transforms bold ideas into actionable development. The project includes extensive feasibility studies, community engagement research, economic impact modeling, and comprehensive design analysis that investigate how urban connectivity infrastructure can catalyze economic development and enhance mobility outcomes.

The Capital Line's research phase demonstrates the intellectual rigor required for transformative infrastructure projects, involving partnerships between Downtown Columbus Inc., the City of Columbus, the State of Ohio, The Columbus Foundation, and others. Drawing from national precedents like the High Line in New York, the BeltLine in Atlanta, and the Cultural Trail in Indianapolis, the research has identified potential returns of $27 for every $1 invested. This foundational work—including detailed surveys of 16 basement vaults, comprehensive community input analysis, and staged design development—establishes the blueprint for how strategic urban pathways can weave connectivity and economic growth into city centers. These research efforts are crucial for understanding complex urban mobility systems and ensuring that Central Ohio remains at the forefront of transportation innovation.

Phase I of the Capital Line is scheduled to begin construction in Q3 2025. 

Testing Tomorrow's Solutions: Connected Marysville (Pilot Demonstration)

Moving from concept to real-world testing, Connected Marysville, our Pilot Demonstration award recipient, pioneers connected vehicle technology implementation. 

This groundbreaking pilot collaboration between DriveOhio and the City of Marysville transforms Marysville into a living laboratory to explore how vehicles and infrastructure can communicate to prevent crashes and optimize traffic flow.

The pilot involves installing roadside units at all 32 signalized intersections throughout Marysville via fiber networks, and equipping participating vehicles with onboard units that communicate safety information in real-time. Through partnerships with DriveOhio, Ohio University, and residents, the project tests how connected vehicle technology performs in actual driving conditions, measuring driver response times to safety alerts and behavioral changes when receiving real-time hazard notifications.

This pilot phase generates crucial data about technology effectiveness, user acceptance, and system performance that will inform future deployments across the US 33 Smart Mobility Corridor and beyond. Connected Marysville serves as a vital proving ground for smart mobility technology, demonstrating how communities can safely test innovative solutions and gather evidence needed for broader implementation.

Realizing the Vision: COTA Transit App (Full Deployment)

Our Full Deployment award goes to COTA's Transit App – a comprehensive digital transformation that has revolutionized public transportation delivery across Central Ohio. This project represents the successful implementation of integrated transit technology that has fundamentally changed how residents and visitors access public transportation.

COTA's fully deployed solution provides seamless trip planning, real-time tracking, and digital payment capabilities, while implementing COTA’s fare capping policy to ensure riders never pay more than $4.50 per day or $62 per month. As Ohio's first transit agency to implement fare capping, COTA has eliminated financial barriers that traditionally disadvantage lower-income riders, democratizing access to affordable transportation.

The measurable impact demonstrates deployment success: 15% year-over-year growth in app usage from 2023 to 2024, universal accessibility for both residents and visitors, and operational efficiency improvements through account-based payment systems. Beyond individual benefits, COTA's digital infrastructure directly supports Central Ohio's rapid population growth by providing scalable transportation solutions that reduce congestion and enable workforce mobility essential for regional economic development.

A Collective Step Towards a Smarter Future

The Transportation Innovation Awards celebrate the entire spectrum of mobility advancement – from the initial research and discovery of transformative concepts to real-world pilot testing and finally to full deployment with measurable community impact. These projects collectively underscore the Columbus Region’s commitment to creating a transportation system that is safer, more efficient, more sustainable, and more equitable for all residents. We are proud to honor these pioneers who are driving progress and shaping a smarter, more connected future for our region.