Real-World data for a safer, smarter DC
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT), Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID), and US Ignite have partnered to plan the Autonomous Vehicle Observation (AVO) Zone Challenge. The challenge provides an innovative way for DC to better understand how AVs operate and in dense, urban environments.
Opening in June 2026, the AVO Zone Challenge seeks innovative solutions that can detect, monitor, and analyze AV activity on Washington, DC streets. At the same time, the challenge helps inform safe deployment, smarter policy and greater public transparency.
Why the AVO Zone Challenge matters
As cutting-edge transportation technologies rapidly evolve, cities must be equipped to better understand how AVs interact within a bustling multimodal transportation environment. An expanded understanding of AVs will help achieve:
- Improved safety for all road users – from pedestrians to AVs
- Data-driven decision making
- Increased transparency and public trust
About the opportunity
The AVO Zone Challenge calls for contestants to offer innovative solutions that can:
- Detect & Monitor – Independently identify and track AV activity in mixed traffic environments
- Analyze Interactions – Understand how AVs interact with pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, and infrastructure
- Identify Safety Events – Capture safety-critical events and operational impacts
- Provide Data & Insights – Deliver high-quality, accessible data to support policy, research, and public transparency
The AVO Zone Challenge will award prize money to the winning contestant. In addition, the winner will deploy and pilot their solution in live DC streets!
Additional details and information will be shared when the AVO Zone Challenge officially opens in June 2026.
Who should participate?
Ideal contestants will have products and services that leverage technologies such as CCTV, LiDAR, computer vision, intelligent video analytics, and advanced data processing.
The AVO Challenge will be open to:
- For-profit companies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Universities and research institutions
- Startup companies
- Teams or consortia led by one eligible entity
Ready to take the next step?
If the AVO Zone Challenge sounds like a fit, sign up for the June 2026 AVO Zone Challenge Information Session. During this virtual session interested participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the challenge opportunity and ask questions directly to DDOT and other challenge sponsors.
Sign up below to be among the first to receive the registration link.
Help Shape the Challenge
Researchers, innovators and technology providers are invited to help refine the AVO Zone Challenge’s structure, technical requirements, and evaluation criteria. Share your input: [email protected].
Challenge Sponsors:
The District Department of Transportation’s mission is to equitably deliver a safe, sustainable, and reliable multimodal transportation network for all residents and visitors of the District of Columbia.
The Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID) is situated in the Southwest quadrant of Washington, DC. It weaves together three distinct areas in the 500 acres south of the National Mall: Federal Center South, housing 26 federal headquarters; the Southwest neighborhood centered around the Waterfront Metrorail Station; and the transformational District Wharf development, located on the waterfront.
US Ignite works closely with communities, military bases, startups, and researchers to solve their toughest economic development and technology innovation challenges. Operating like a high-tech startup, our nonprofit organization delivers customized results through stakeholder engagement, technical expertise, and targeted tools. In collaboration with our partners, we deliver project outcomes that include breakthrough technologies while creating innovative new jobs, startups, and services. Learn more at us-ignite.org.
Academic Partners:
Since its founding in 1821, the George Washington University has prepared graduates to lead with integrity, resilience, and purpose. GW’s School of Engineering and Applied Science (GW Engineering) leverages its location in the heart of the nation’s capital to convene diverse communities of scholars, practitioners, and professionals to responsibly translate innovation to society. This commitment to real-world impact is a hallmark of our nationally and internationally renowned programs, such as the transportation engineering program, where GW Engineering students, faculty, staff, and alumni collaborate to make a lasting impact in D.C. and around the world through safer and smarter urban transportation systems.
Since its founding in 1861, the University of Washington has been a hub for learning, innovation, problem solving and community building. Driven by a mission to serve the greater good, our students, faculty and staff tackle today’s most pressing challenges with courage and creativity, making a difference across Washington state — and around the world.
