Mentioned:Ohio Department of Transportation
Ohio Department of Transportation through DriveOhio has released a three-year plan to build a statewide digital enterprise network supporting drone and eVTOL operations. The plan establishes infrastructure, data exchange frameworks, and operational testing protocols through 2029.
What's happening
- ODOT's DriveOhio plan spans three phases from 2026 through 2029: planning (2026-2027), implementation with pilot projects (2027-2028), and scaling preparation (2028-2029).
- The digital enterprise network will enable beyond visual line of sight operations through federated data exchange combining aircraft position, weather, surveillance, and infrastructure data across state and federal agencies.
- Early operational testing uses SkyVision ground-based detect-and-avoid system, a collaboration between Air Force Research Laboratory and ODOT's UAS Center, with SkyVision 2.0 providing enhanced surveillance capabilities in future phases.
- The framework aligns with FAA proposed Part 146 requirements and anticipated Parts 108 and 146 rulemaking while complementing existing Air Navigation Service Provider systems in low-altitude environments.
Why it matters
- Ohio's digital infrastructure enables safe scaling of advanced air mobility operations across the state, establishing a model for coordinating multiple aircraft types, operators, and data sources in congested airspace.
- The federated data exchange framework addresses critical gaps in low-altitude airspace coordination where traditional FAA air traffic control has limited capability, supporting emerging use cases for delivery and transportation.
- Testing protocols and operational data generated during 2027-2028 pilot phases will inform federal regulatory development and state policy decisions as AAM operations become more frequent and complex.
- Statewide infrastructure alignment reduces fragmentation risk and identifies investment priorities for vertiports, charging stations, and detection systems needed to support multi-operator AAM adoption.
Going deeper
- The digital enterprise operates initially in advisory mode, providing shadow information alongside human procedures rather than exercising operational control, deferring automation decisions until regulatory clarity emerges.
- Ohio coordinates with Air Force Research Laboratory on detect-and-avoid technology, leveraging military innovation while building civilian operational protocols compatible with Part 89 Remote Identification requirements.
- Phase 2 pilot projects (2027-2028) will test AAM use cases across varied Ohio environments to generate real-world safety, infrastructure, data exchange, and policy insights before broader adoption.
Financial impact
- No federal or state appropriation amount disclosed; funding source and annual capital commitment unclear for infrastructure deployment, digital systems integration, and SkyVision 2.0 upgrades across the 2026-2029 period.
- ODOT's expenditure on this program will appear on its balance sheet and cash flow statement in 2026 and subsequent fiscal years, with timing and scale dependent on Phase 1 infrastructure assessments.
The intrigue
- The plan's success depends on federal Part 108 and Part 146 rulemaking timelines remaining aligned with Ohio's 2027-2029 implementation schedule; regulatory delays could extend the scaling preparation phase.
- Unclear whether Ohio will fund SkyVision 2.0 enhancement or seek federal matching grants, and which private AAM operators will commit to pilot projects during Phase 2 market-driven activities.
The fine print
- The digital enterprise is described as an enabling architecture and federated framework, not a single system or platform, allowing flexibility as technologies and FAA regulations evolve through 2029.
- Initial operations occur in information access and sharing capacity only; transition to statewide federated data exchange with operational coordination capabilities is contingent on emerging federal regulations and demonstrated safety performance.
- The framework complements but explicitly does not replace existing FAA air navigation services, maintaining federal regulatory authority and control over national airspace system integration.
Source: unmannedairspace.info · Oct 18, 2026 · Drafted with Claude, reviewed by Industrial Base Alpha.
