Holistic Planning for Emerging Technologies and Vehicle Electrification

The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County in northern Nevada needed a broad, cohesive plan for advanced mobility in the region that includes electric vehicles as well as automated vehicles and transit services. The goal is to enhance safety, efficiency, sustainability and equity in Washoe County through the effective application of emerging innovative mobility solutions.

HDR was selected to gather stakeholders, assess current conditions and put together this holistic plan for the region that includes the Cities of Reno and Sparks and unincorporated Washoe County. This plan will include strategic, phased and actionable items that the region can begin to implement now, with achievable outcomes to take immediate advantage of emerging technologies. It will focus on specific mobility needs and objectives while maintaining a holistic approach to technology and policy.

As a critical link for interstate commerce and the home to an increasing contingent of technology-focused firms, Washoe County is poised to grow and is already the second most populous county in Nevada. This plan will allow the region to thoughtfully invest in long-term benefits to complement that growth.

A Holistic Approach to Mobility & Operational Technology Services

Many communities study electrification or other emerging technologies; RTC Washoe, however, is considering all these technologies as pieces of a collective mobility puzzle. This plan will provide strategies in these areas, tailored specifically to the region’s needs:

• alternative fuel infrastructure
• electric vehicles
• connected vehicles / automated vehicles
• big data
• smart communities applications such as smart street lights
• mobility options (micromobility, mobility as a service, equitable solutions)

While these are separate items, they must be interconnected to effectively operate them and maximize their benefits. HDR’s mobility & operational technology services address new technologies in the same way, seeing them each as pieces of a cohesive transportation strategy.

Emphasis on Equity

The plan puts a heavy emphasis on equity, treating it as a core part of the Washoe transportation vision.

Critical issues such as engaging disadvantaged communities, barriers to shared mobility and meeting the needs of disadvantaged communities will all be considered in the plan. It will also offer specific recommendations for preserving universal connectivity, promoting equitable access to transportation and honoring issues of cultural sensitivity. The result will benefit the lives of a broad range of Washoe County residents, visitors and workers.