Engineering firm HDR has been selected by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) as the owner’s representative for its electric vehicle (EV) program in a five-year contract.
The contract is reportedly the first of its kind in the nation and will include the strategic planning, procurement, implementation and monitoring of EV charging infrastructure throughout the state.
The firm’s experts will assist with the allocation of Florida’s expected US$198m (£169m) from the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure formula program and federal discretionary grant support, while also supporting with other EV initiatives.
As the primary contact for FDOT on EV infrastructure, HDR’s team will develop prioritisation strategies and a phased implementation approach addressing where, when and how EV infrastructure is implemented over the next five years.
The work is intended to advance FDOT’s ambition to provide an equally safe and sustainable transport system.
HDR will make recommendations regarding solicitations, contract configurations and site locations and will provide a wide range of services including planning, design, right-of-way, traffic engineering and operations, construction and maintenance.
Using education to supporting electric mobility options will be a priority of the project, and HDR’s team will work to increase awareness of public charging locations and support local communities and jurisdictions with developing guidance.
“As our transportation infrastructure evolves, every state is exploring the best strategies for deploying electric vehicle infrastructure while encouraging innovation,” said Santanu Roy, global transportation planning director at HDR and principal in charge on the new contract.
“We are excited about helping FDOT lead the nation in expanding access to this game-changing technology and improving transportation for our communities.”
The new contract continues HDR’s history of EV service provision in Florida, the team having previously assisted FDOT with the development of several key EV initiatives.
