US 33 Connected Corridor Prepares for Sensor Upgrades and Hardware Phaseout as Regional Board Meets
The NW 33 Innovation Corridor Council of Governments reviews its 2027 budget and contract extensions as DriveOhio prepares to deactivate aging roadside units and deploy regional V2X systems.
The governing board of the US 33 Smart Mobility Corridor is scheduled to meet at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, at the Automotive & Mobility Innovation Center in Marysville to consider its 2027 budget, evaluate fiber leases, and review an engineering contract extension.
The session brings together municipal and county representatives who oversee the 35-mile redundant loop of fiber connectivity running through Dublin and Marysville to the gates of the Transportation Research Center Inc. in East Liberty. The corridor serves as a public-sector proving ground for connected vehicle technology, operating with 432 strands of available fiber, 63 roadside units, and 45 connected intersections.
Local officials face major operational changes as original grant-funded hardware reaches retirement and state officials restructure Ohio's automated transportation network. State officials reported to the board that the RSUs installed through the grant will need to be turned off starting in December 2026, marking the conclusion of initial pilot funding even as local and state partners pursue fresh testing initiatives.
Broadcast Mechanics and Scottslawn Sensor Upgrades
The corridor's connected framework relies on vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, which links vehicle transmitters with fixed roadside units (RSUs) to share real-time road conditions. In Marysville, municipal officials linked all 29 traffic signals to the connected grid, while Dublin integrated V2X equipment into a multi-lane roundabout to communicate live traffic warnings to test vehicles. Private partner Honda deployed over 200 connected vehicles across the corridor to evaluate communication with roadside sensors and other cars.
To modernize the corridor's roadside infrastructure ahead of broader network changes, DriveOhio introduced an upgrade targeting a key section of the roadway. State officials announced that an initiative to upgrade 10 more RSUs along the US 33 corridor between Scottslawn and 42 is underway to test sensor data sharing messages.
The mechanics of the system rely on continuous, rapid data exchange. The goal is to collect sensor data from objects and broadcast V2X messages 10 times per second, which will be tested by running a vehicle with connected technology through the corridor to compare sensor accuracy with the vehicle's broadcast data.
To support that high-frequency data transmission, state transportation officials allocated specialized hardware. The cost for upgrading 10 RSUs and installing two high-end LAR sensors (reaching 200 meters) is approximately $133,000.00, allowing the corridor to capture roadside objects and relay detection messages directly to moving vehicles.
Sunset of Grant Hardware and Statewide V2X Integration
While localized sensor upgrades move forward, the broader corridor faces equipment deactivations. The planned December 2026 shutoff of grant-funded roadside units comes as the state moves from independent test beds toward an integrated network.
DriveOhio is shifting Central Ohio's installations into a broader architecture linking the state's three largest population centers. DriveOhio representatives announced that a statewide V2X deployment plan is being developed for the Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati metro areas, including corridors like US 33, to position the region for future grant applications.
To maintain operational integrity and protect vehicular communications from interception or tampering, DriveOhio is establishing unified digital systems across jurisdictions. Technical working group updates highlighted work including the ongoing statewide security credential management system for BAX infrastructure and the procurement of a new statewide device health and monitoring system for city RSUs. These tools are designed to oversee equipment uptime and ensure that messages moving between municipal traffic signals and moving vehicles meet verified security standards.
Regional Governance and Fiber Expansion
The US 33 corridor is managed through an intergovernmental coalition known as the NW 33 Innovation Corridor Council of Governments (COG). Participating entities include the City of Dublin, the City of Marysville, Union County, and the Marysville-Union County Port Authority, collaborating alongside the Ohio Department of Transportation, DriveOhio, and Logan County.
On Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, the board's new business agenda includes consideration of an amendment extending the services of program manager Michael Baker International. Board records show that Michael Baker is seeking a contract amendment to extend their services with the COG through the end of 2027, following previous adjustments to smart mobility funding streams.
Physical infrastructure along the highway is also seeing capital adjustments. The COG's Fiber Collaborative reported that a project is underway to relocate the phase 2 local fiber optic line around the US42 Industrial Parkway intersection due to an anticipated expansion, while the partnership prepares to rebid its shared fiber maintenance agreement.
Looking beyond maintenance, regional legal counsel briefed board members on opportunities to leverage federal broadband funding. Project counsel noted the potential use of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding, which is a significant amount, estimated at $400 million, to extend fiber mileage, specifically exploring fiber extensions in southern Union County along routes 42 and 43 in coordination with Plain City and Madison County.
To secure future grant revenue for connected infrastructure, the COG board voted in April 2026 to approve funds, not to exceed $50,000.00, for consultant support on the Safe Streets for All grant application, targeting a federal deadline that passed on May 26, 2026. The financial strategies and infrastructure contracts under review at the Oct. 7 meeting will guide how Dublin, Marysville, and Union County balance state-level V2X integration against local maintenance costs through 2027.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
NW 33 Innovation Corridor COG Agendas · October 7, 2026 Agenda · agenda
Supporting evidence (2)
The governing board of the US 33 Smart Mobility Corridor is scheduled to meet at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, at the Automotive & Mobility Innovation Center in Marysville to consider its 2027 budget, evaluate fiber leases, and review an engineering contract extension.
Read supporting passage
October 7, 2026 – 3:00 p.m. – Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting
On Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, the board's new business agenda includes consideration of an amendment extending the services of program manager Michael Baker International.
Read supporting passage
October 7, 2026 – 3:00 p.m. – Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting
Supporting evidence (5)
The session brings together municipal and county representatives who oversee the 35-mile redundant loop of fiber connectivity running through Dublin and Marysville to the gates of the Transportation Research Center Inc. in East Liberty.
Read supporting passage
With a 35-mile redundant loop of fiber connectivity, the corridor includes 432 strands of available fiber, 63 roadside units, and 45 connected intersections.
The corridor serves as a public-sector proving ground for connected vehicle technology, operating with 432 strands of available fiber, 63 roadside units, and 45 connected intersections.
Read supporting passage
With a 35-mile redundant loop of fiber connectivity, the corridor includes 432 strands of available fiber, 63 roadside units, and 45 connected intersections.
In Marysville, municipal officials linked all 29 traffic signals to the connected grid, while Dublin integrated V2X equipment into a multi-lane roundabout to communicate live traffic warnings to test vehicles.
Read supporting passage
With a 35-mile redundant loop of fiber connectivity, the corridor includes 432 strands of available fiber, 63 roadside units, and 45 connected intersections.
Private partner Honda deployed over 200 connected vehicles across the corridor to evaluate communication with roadside sensors and other cars.
Read supporting passage
With a 35-mile redundant loop of fiber connectivity, the corridor includes 432 strands of available fiber, 63 roadside units, and 45 connected intersections.
Participating entities include the City of Dublin, the City of Marysville, Union County, and the Marysville-Union County Port Authority, collaborating alongside the Ohio Department of Transportation, DriveOhio, and Logan County.
Read supporting passage
With a 35-mile redundant loop of fiber connectivity, the corridor includes 432 strands of available fiber, 63 roadside units, and 45 connected intersections.
NW 33 Innovation Corridor COG Minutes · April 1, 2026 Minutes · minutes
Supporting evidence (10)
State officials reported to the board that the RSUs installed through the grant will need to be turned off starting in December 2026, marking the conclusion of initial pilot funding even as local and state partners pursue fresh testing initiatives.
Read supporting passage
It was reported that the RSUs installed through the grant will need to be turned off starting in December.
State officials announced that an initiative to upgrade 10 more RSUs along the US 33 corridor between Scottslawn and 42 is underway to test sensor data sharing messages.
Read supporting passage
It was reported that the RSUs installed through the grant will need to be turned off starting in December.
The goal is to collect sensor data from objects and broadcast V2X messages 10 times per second, which will be tested by running a vehicle with connected technology through the corridor to compare sensor accuracy with the vehicle's broadcast data.
Read supporting passage
It was reported that the RSUs installed through the grant will need to be turned off starting in December.
The cost for upgrading 10 RSUs and installing two high-end LAR sensors (reaching 200 meters) is approximately $133,000.00, allowing the corridor to capture roadside objects and relay detection messages directly to moving vehicles.
Read supporting passage
It was reported that the RSUs installed through the grant will need to be turned off starting in December.
DriveOhio representatives announced that a statewide V2X deployment plan is being developed for the Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati metro areas, including corridors like US 33, to position the region for future grant applications.
Read supporting passage
It was reported that the RSUs installed through the grant will need to be turned off starting in December.
Technical working group updates highlighted work including the ongoing statewide security credential management system for BAX infrastructure and the procurement of a new statewide device health and monitoring system for city RSUs.
Read supporting passage
It was reported that the RSUs installed through the grant will need to be turned off starting in December.
Board records show that Michael Baker is seeking a contract amendment to extend their services with the COG through the end of 2027, following previous adjustments to smart mobility funding streams.
Read supporting passage
It was reported that the RSUs installed through the grant will need to be turned off starting in December.
The COG's Fiber Collaborative reported that a project is underway to relocate the phase 2 local fiber optic line around the US42 Industrial Parkway intersection due to an anticipated expansion, while the partnership prepares to rebid its shared fiber maintenance agreement.
Read supporting passage
It was reported that the RSUs installed through the grant will need to be turned off starting in December.
Project counsel noted the potential use of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding, which is a significant amount, estimated at $400 million, to extend fiber mileage, specifically exploring fiber extensions in southern Union County along routes 42 and 43 in coordination with Plain City and Madison County.
Read supporting passage
It was reported that the RSUs installed through the grant will need to be turned off starting in December.
To secure future grant revenue for connected infrastructure, the COG board voted in April 2026 to approve funds, not to exceed $50,000.00, for consultant support on the Safe Streets for All grant application, targeting a federal deadline that passed on May 26, 2026.
Read supporting passage
It was reported that the RSUs installed through the grant will need to be turned off starting in December.