1. 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

2. 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 

3. 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.