Michael Baker International selected by the City of Columbus to support Smart Columbus Initiative

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, was selected by the City of Columbus to support projects within the Smart Columbus grant portfolio. Seventy-eight mid-sized cities competed in the Smart City Challenge, submitting ideas for a smart transportation system to transform mobility, and the U.S. Department of Transportation named Columbus the winner. Michael Baker will provide project management, systems engineering expertise, and administrative support for the program.

As a vendor to Smart Columbus, Michael Baker will provide project management assistance on various USDOT grant projects including the development of two mobility applications. The first is a multi-modal trip planning application intended to help residents plan trips across multiple modes of transport (i.e., walk, bikeshare, ride-sharing services, transit, etc.). Another application is a communication tool to help expectant mothers on Medicaid travel to doctors' appointments with the intent of improving access to prenatal care to in turn reduce infant mortality.

"Michael Baker International is proud to partner with Smart Columbus to enhance the lives of the citizens of Columbus by increasing mobility. Smart Columbus has developed a portfolio of initiatives that will provide more simple, reliable, and efficient travel to work, healthcare appointments, and other necessary destinations," said Jeff Kupko, P.E., PTOE, Assistant Transportation Program Manager for Michael Baker, who will sit on-site at the new Smart Columbus Experience Center as a project manager. "Additionally, the work on this initiative highlights Michael Baker's position in pairing leading-edge technology with transportation, which allows us to serve as trusted advisors to clients in this emerging market."

The firm also will lend its expertise to manage the development of smart mobility hubs. Kiosks will be in places of interest such as transit centers and community centers to connect travelers with a variety of mode choices on-site. The kiosk will allow for an alternate means to request transportation and plan travel for those without smart phones, ultimately increasing modes of travel to and from these locations and helping solve first-mile/last-mile gaps.

Additionally, Michael Baker will also help to manage the procurement and deployment of self-driving shuttles in Columbus.

Smart Columbus is currently writing technology requirements for each project. With the selection, Michael Baker will work with the City of Columbus on this initiative during the next two-and-a-half years.  Earlier this year, the firm announced it would provide program management and technical oversight for the implementation of connected vehicle technologies on U.S. Route 33 between and within the City of Dublin and the City of Marysville, northwest of Columbus.

About Michael Baker International
Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management.  The company provides its comprehensive range of services and solutions to support U.S. federal, state, and municipal governments, foreign allied governments, and a wide range of commercial clients.  Michael Baker's more than 3,000 employees across nearly 100 locations are committed to a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement to help solve challenges for clients and communities throughout the country. To learn more, visit www.mbakerintl.com.

Contact:  Brian Peiritsch
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SOURCE Michael Baker International