City Pilots Mobility Innovation District, Washington, DC, 2022

The Executive Office of the Mayor, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), and the Southwest Business Improvement District (BID) have partnered to launch a Mobility Innovation District (MID) in southwest Washington, DC. The MID is intended to serve as a testing ground for different shared mobility initiatives. At the start of this pilot, residents and visitors to the MID have access to an electric point-to-point microtransit service operated by Circuit. Other mobility technology providers participating in the MID include Spin, SparkCharge, and Coaster Cycles. These mobility providers support micromobility, electric vehicle charging solutions, and cargo bicycles, respectively. Beyond these partnerships with mobility providers, the Southwest BID has released two requests for proposals (RFPs) for a universal basic mobility (UBM) and mobility wallet program and additional electrification solutions.

DMPED is funding the MID with a $3 million grant. This pilot and other initiatives across the United States can demonstrate the viability of new trends in mobility and broader transportation policy. Several communities on the local and state level are testing UBM programs and mobility wallets. Moreover, policies like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act are enhancing demand for electric vehicles and charging networks. The Mobility Innovation District in DC can be an opportunity to test new technologies and policy instruments.

Last updated December 20, 2022