Columbus Named Winner of DOT's Smart City Challenge

The U.S. Transportation Department named Columbus the winner of its Smart City challenge. The Ohio city will receive up to $40 million from DOT and up to $10 million from Vulcan, the investment firm of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. That will supplement $90 million raised by the city from private partners. The city plans three electric self-driving shuttles, DOT said. “Columbus also plans to use data analytics to improve health care access in a neighborhood that currently has an infant mortality rate four times that of the national average, allowing them to provide improved transportation options to those most in need of prenatal care.” DOT selected Columbus from seven finalists, culled from 78 applications, it said.