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Washington DC launches mobility innovation district

27 October 2022

by Christopher Carey

Washington D.C. has announced the creation of a Mobility Innovation District (MID) as part of a public-private partnership between the city’s Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and the Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID).

Supported by a US$3 million grant, the project will experiment with innovative transportation services such as on-demand shuttles and electrification hubs, while also aiming to spur economic development and job creation.

Located in the city’s Southwest quadrant, the district will aim to improve equitable access to transportation for residents and visitors and create a global innovation hub “to show how mobility can make a city more equitable, sustainable, safe and prosperous”.

“Mayor Bowser and the MID are working together to modernise our transportation infrastructure to increase the modes of transportation and create systems to make our public transportation system more accessible to seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income residents,” said Washington, D.C. Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio.

“One in four adults nationwide lacks access to safe, reliable transportation. The solutions we uncover will help create a more equitable city and create models that can be replicated nationally, so every Washingtonian and American can access opportunities and make the most of their fair shot.”

The city also hopes the MID will attract mobility companies that bring new technology to market and create jobs in DC.

Universal Basic Mobility

As part of the project, the SWBID also announced new Requests for Proposals for projects focused on Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) and electrification.

The UBM pilot will provide residents with a transportation stipend that they can use on a wide range of public and privately operated transportation options.

The project will provide insight into what future modes are needed to serve residents who currently face a barrier to employment due to lack of transportation.

As part of electrification efforts, the city will focus on delivering electric vehicle charging infrastructure in public places where it does not currently exist, with the goal of advancing the adoption of electric vehicles and micromobility modes like electric scooters and bicycles.

“The Southwest is the perfect neighbourhood to test and pilot new mobility ideas and technologies,” said Steve Moore, Executive Director of the SWBID.

“The MID plants the seed for future-forward mobility solutions, new job training possibilities and the attraction of new business. Mobility solutions make a real and lasting contribution to the quality of life of our neighbours.

“And there are certain assurances as we step into the next three years of this project: safe mobility.”

Image: samuel-cesar-unsplash

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