VDOT Broadband Expansion VDOT’s Object: Leverage its existing fiber network and other assets to provide enhanced telecommunications for transportation needs and support the commonwealth goal of universal connectivity Expand Fiber For Transportation Needs Create Automated Online Map Displaying Current and Future Fiber infrastructure Communicate Progress with Stakeholders February April June August October Needs Analysis Strategy Development Asset Management Inventory Tools and Technology Modernize and Expand “Many in the commonwealth live and work in communities with no access or limited access to broadband. Having access to broadband is a necessity that contributes to education, quality of life, and economic competitiveness. In particular, future of transportation relies on deployment of smart infrastructure and intelligent transportation systems which requires broadband connectivity. Although significant investment has been made in dense urban communities where revenue generation justifies the cost of deploying broadband, in other communities where the revenue is not sufficient to pay for the costs, broadband has not been widely deployed. George Mason University’s 2019 Practicum in Transportation Policy, Operations and Logistics will evaluate the effectiveness of existing broadband initiatives in Virginia and other states, identify barriers and develop alternative strategies to take advantage of the existing assets, such as VDOT ROW, fiber network or vertical structures. The objective is to incentivize deployment of broadband connectivity across Virginia by aligning interest of different stakeholders, leveraging the existing assets and streamlining the permitting process to benefit transportation, the economy, and citizens.”   Problem Statement Virginia Broadband Project State Wide Fiber Asset Management Plan Overview Utilizes Resource Sharing Agreements with the Private Sector Program has successfully installed 3,708 miles of broadband Goal is to expand network along all interstate and primary roads Identify New Resource Sharing Opportunities Benefits Little to no cost to VDOT Expands broadband network Connects VDOT operations centers Transportation Needs Evaluate Existing Agreements Challenges  Has created a patchwork fiber network Virginia lacks policies to lease fiber Expand Utilization for Transportation and Innovation Projects Broadband Basics Underserved Population is a household with capability 25 MBPS or less Virginia has a underserved population of 719,000 people and Virginia has 322,000 people with no wired access to broadband Broadband Network Development Backbone: large capacity infrastructure capable of transmitting large amounts of data Middle Mile: links the backbone to internet service providers Last Mile: connects from internet service providers to homes or small businesses Build out in rings to ensure network redundancy Legislation, Policy, Organizational Ownership Review Code and Policy Develop Fiber Policy Statement Asset Utilization Land Asset Valuation Include Fiber in other projects Maintenance Construction Develop Organizational Accountability Matrix Governor Broadband Objectives Inventory of Current Activities Inventory Broadband Assets Fiberoptic Network Leased lines Wireless towers Inventory of RSA’s Inventory of funding Current Future Inventory of Projects Planned Needs and Opportunities Transition leased lines List of assets requiring broadband Transition leased lines to VDOT Identify RSA opportunities Technology to enhance network Close network gaps Utilize common mapping platform Leverage current infrastructure Create interactive online platform Coordinated project management

Case Study Comparison Maintain the current RSA Agreement Georgia Broadband Project Overview Attempted Solicited P3 agreement to install broadband along Interstate roads Envisions 100% private sector funding, maintenance, and operations Utilizing Broadband network for NaviGAtor system Case Study Analysis Population Benefit: The portion of the population that could potentially benefit Kentucky’s network will expand to every county serving underserved areas Funding: Public funding for infrastructure development Virginia’s case requires the least amount of state funding Benefits Little to no cost to GDOT Expands broadband network Expands GDOT’s Smart infrastructure statewide Political Viability: The political support in the project received in each State Virginia’s project has provided the largest benefit at the lowest cost to the state Legality: The state’s strategy legally applicable in Virginia All other States have created policies to allow leasing of DOT owned fiber Challenges No successful P3 contracts to date Private sector interest may not align with GDOT goals Time of Completion: Projected timeframe to complete the network Kentucky and Georgia are the only state’s with completion dates Strategy Problems Overestimating ROW Value Poor Asset Visibility Overestimating Network Value Strategy Successes Flexible Agreements Industry Forum Policies For Maximum Network Use Pennsylvania (PA) Turnpike Broadband Project Overview Attempted a DBFOM P3  Estimated network cost of $250-$300M Project was cancelled to proceed with a new approach Strategy Trade Offs Commercial Appeal Vs. Rural Area Network Expansion Solicited Agreement Vs. Unsolicited Agreements DOT Network Control Vs. Multi-agency Stakeholder Board Benefits  Upgrade existing microwave technology to fiber Turnpike would own necessary infrastructure for operations without providing a large investment Maintain the current RSA Agreement Recommendations Virginia has successfully installed fiber optic cable in the rights-of-way of roadways at no cost to the Department by exchanging ROW for fiber strands. Virginia has installed 3,700 miles of fiber optic cable through these Resources Sharing Agreements (RSA). The option of continuing with the current policy has been a success and may still show success in the future. Although, may not fully meet the goal of reaching rural areas due to lack of commercial attractiveness. Challenges Lacked commercial appeal to the private sector  Non-responsive bids Kentucky Broadband Project Overview Executed a DBFOM P3 – Availability Payments Collaborative State Initiative  Open access network 93 million dollar settlement with private sector for project delays Solicited RSA Approach P3 process could be successful in Virginia if they model them off of current RSAs. VDOT can further its Resource Sharing program by soliciting specific routes to current agreement holders or new internet service providers; VDOT should identify which segements might have enough value to justify a new RSA approach; Identify and account for potential contingent liabilities that could cause public costs to increase. Benefits  Directly benefits underserved population  Direct fiber connections for government facilities 50 percent of the fiber strands will be available for commercial use to generate revenue Holistic Government Cooperation Create a board made up of state agency stakeholders that are currently pursuing or have interest in pursuing fiber optic initiatives. This approach would help the state better leverage resources and costs required to expand a fiber network. Challenges Project delays Over budget 

Directions Address: 3351 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201 Room: 322 Time: 4:30 Directions To Arlington Campus (3351 North Fairfax Dr., Arlington) from I-66 Exit I-66 at Glebe Road/Fairfax Drive (exit 71). The exit ramp turns into Fairfax Drive. After traveling one mile on North Fairfax Drive, you will see the FDIC building on the left. The Arlington Campus is past the FDIC building. To Arlington Campus (3351 North Fairfax Dr., Arlington) from I-395 Exit I-395 at Glebe Road North. Continue on Glebe Road, passing Ballston Common Mall on the right. Cross over Wilson Boulevard, then turn right onto Fairfax Drive. After one mile you will see the FDIC building on the left. The Arlington Campus is past the FDIC building.