Skip to main content

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.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Qualcomm: V2X enhances safety, adding cloud connectivity informs services
    September 29, 2023
    Many of the fatalities that occur on roadways are preventable. The application of technology could eliminate or mitigate the severity of up to 80% of non-impaired crashes. Jim Misener Senior Director and V2X Ecosystem Lead of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. explains how
  • SwRI and USDOT operate connected vehicle affiliated test bed
    December 9, 2013
    In the US, the Texas-based Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is operating a connected vehicle affiliated test bed in cooperation with the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration. The DOT test bed project facilitates information exchange as well as access to tools and resources across other test bed facilities to support and encourage consistent future deployment of connected vehicle technologies. The project aims to advance the technology for full deplo
  • Siemens offers Stamford a ‘bird’s eye view’
    April 29, 2019
    Stamford, Connecticut is a vibrant, diverse community overlooking the Long Island Sound, within commuting distance of New York City. Stamford hosts the largest financial district in the greater New York metro area outside of Manhattan and is home to a high concentration of large corporations and corporate HQs. With a population of 130,000, Stamford is Connecticut’s third largest city and the fastest-growing municipality in the state. Like many US cities, Stamford had previously relied on an antiquated traf
  • Authorities switch on to all electric buses as costs tumble
    January 9, 2018
    Alan Dron looks at changes in bus propulsion as cities look to improve air quality and seek to reduce maintenance costs. Despite the ending of various incentives to adopt alternative fuels, the introduction of electric buses by US transit authorities is picking up speed as performance improves, costs drop and air quality considerations become increasingly significant. More US bus manufacturers are introducing zero-emission models and some recent contracts will see many more passengers getting their first