HEBRON, Ky. — Mark Policinski gets excited when he talks about CVG becoming a testing grounds for autonomous vehicles.
With the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport expanding to accommodate more travelers and an explosive growth in cargo traffic and package handling, the CEO of the OKI Regional Council of Governments believes driverless shuttles are a practical solution to an airport problem with broader implications for the region.
"With the expansion of DHL and Amazon Prime going to CVG, that's going to be a lot of jobs, so a lot of people have to get to work, from work,” said Policinski, “and by the way they're going to have to get around because there are just so many investments taking place.
"Autonomous vehicles are going to be part of it. We don't know exactly how much, but it's certainly one aspect you have to look at. You can't ignore this technology," Policinski said.
The airport supports the idea, spokesperson Mindy Kershner said in the following statement:
"We have expressed interest in supporting autonomous vehicle concepts at CVG. Our interest is leveraging CVG as a beta-site for advancing technologies that could create viable complementary advanced transportation solutions for the region and beyond."
The airport, OKI and the University of Cincinnati have entered into a memorandum of understanding to study the idea of autonomous vehicles and how CVG’s growth will impact the region.
"It's a way to take all the research assets that are at the University of Cincinnati and apply them to the real problems that CVG is facing because of tremendous growth that's going to occur there," Policinski said.
Of course, big changes are already underway at CVG. You notice it as you drive up. Detour signs. Bulldozers. A new airport exit. And that’s just the beginning.
For an airport that has seen its ups and downs over the years, everything is looking up now.
- CVG is already the busiest airport of its size in the country. It saw a 14.7 percent increase in local passenger growth in 2018 to about 8.8 million passengers, getting it closer to its goal of 9 million by 2021.
- The terminal garage is being partially torn down to make way for a brand new road and airport main entrance. That's expected to be unveiled at the end of the year. The airport is also making room to build a brand new state-of-the-art rental car facility opening in 2021.
- At some point this year, Amazon will break ground on its new $1.5 billion Prime Air hub, adding significantly to its already increased presence at CVG.
All through 2019 we want you to stay with 9 On Your Side for our special regional growth and transportation coverage we're calling “Move Up Cincinnati.” We have a team of reporters covering this topic on air and at WCPO.com.
