Siemens invests in connected vehicle technology for Smart Columbus initiative

Siemens Intelligent Traffic Systems is providing an in-kind investment of its connected vehicle hardware and software technologies to Columbus, Ohio, the recent winner of the US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Smart City Challenge. Siemens’ investment, valued at US$385,000, aims to support the expansion of the ‘Smart Columbus’ initiative. The advanced hardware and software will act as the foundation for the city’s future connected vehicle efforts, enabling vehicles to communicate with traffic infrast
May 12, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
189 Siemens Intelligent Traffic Systems is providing an in-kind investment of its connected vehicle hardware and software technologies to Columbus, Ohio, the recent winner of the 324 US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Smart City Challenge.


Siemens’ investment, valued at US$385,000, aims to support the expansion of the ‘Smart Columbus’ initiative. The advanced hardware and software will act as the foundation for the city’s future connected vehicle efforts, enabling vehicles to communicate with traffic infrastructure and, as a result, improve driver and pedestrian safety, reduce congestion and lower emissions.

The Siemens intelligent software and hardware package for Columbus includes connected vehicle-ready traffic control software that provides operators with detailed traffic signal phase timing, roadside units that allow traffic intersections to communicate with vehicles and roadside unit management software that gives operators real-time visibility into traffic flow and connected vehicle operations. Siemens will also provide the city with training and support.

As part of its Smart Columbus initiative, the city will determine the most effective use cases and locations to implement the connected vehicle technology.

The City of Columbus won the USDOT US$40 million Smart City Challenge in June 2016 after competing against 77 cities nationwide. Columbus was also awarded a US$10 million grant by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the de-carbonisation of the electric supply and transportation sectors.

Urban Traffic Control Location Based Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Industry-led consortium to develop oneTRANSPORT smart city initiative
    August 18, 2015
    An innovative smart city initiative focused on addressing the challenges in transportation systems with Internet of Things (IoT) technology has been awarded by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK to a consortium of leading European industry, academic and transport authority partners. The project, oneTRANSPORT, is an integrated transport initiative targeted at transport authorities. Totalling approximately US$5.4 million (with co-funding by Innovate UK provided as a result of a successful competition
    Read More
  • Parsons accepting entries for smart city challenge
    August 28, 2019
    Engineering firm Parsons and its partners have launched a global smart cities challenge called Transforming Intersections aimed at reducing the time drivers spend at red lights. Chuck Harrington, chairman of Parsons, says: “Our goal is to give cities the opportunity to increase their mobility, reduce their carbon footprint through reduced idling of vehicles, and keep their city moving." Parsons says the winner will receive a one-year free trial of its Intelligent Intersection product, which allows ci
    Read More
  • Solving Detroit’s jams: just ask a Michigan student
    October 17, 2019
    At the Institute of Transportation Engineers annual meeting, a clever student plan to reduce commute times in Detroit suggests the future of the ITS industry is in good hands, write Pete Spiller and Jarrod Cady A team of students from the University of Michigan won a national student Transportation Technology Tournament - sponsored by the National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE) and the US Department of Transportation - with a compelling presentation on reducing congestion. In an impressive d
    Read More
  • FTA, BMW support UK government funding for green cars
    April 30, 2014
    The UK government has announced plans to invest US$840 million ultra-low emission vehicle industry. It is hoped that this will help drivers both afford and feel confident about using electric cars. Announcing the funding during a visit to the Transport Research Laboratory, Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister said: “Owning an electric car is no longer a dream or an inconvenience. Manufacturers are turning to this new technology to help motorists make their everyday journeys green and clean.”
    Read More

Highlighted Content