AASHTO Conference Ohio Department of Transportation Wireless Communications Program Presentation

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AASHTO ConferenceOhio Department of
TransportationWireless Communications Program
Presentation

• James J. Viau, Administrator
• Office of Real Estate

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Historical Perspective

• ODOT Wireless Communication Program began mid
  1997
• Program enacted with the support of
• Telecommunication Industry
• State/Federal Officials
• Ohio General Assembly
• H.B. 210 became law July 1, 1997- Ohio Revised
  Code 5501.31.1 Outlines the Parameters by which
  the Director, ODOT may lease transportation
  facilities.

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Wireless Communication Program Mission

• Improve communication services available to the
  traveling public
• Provide alternatives to tower siting in
  residential areas
• Establish communication infrastructure to support
  Intelligent Transportation Initiatives
• Maximize the efficient and effective use of
  existing resources, while maintaining the safety
  and efficiency of Ohios transportation system

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Wireless Communication Program Handbook
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Wireless Communication Program Handbook

• ODOT has developed a handbook to assist ODOT
  personnel and the telecommunication industry in
  the siting of cellular towers on ODOT property
• Safety is the governing factor when considering a
  site for a cellular tower
• ODOT has developed safety criteria and design
  standards to be addressed in the analysis of each
  cellular site

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Master License Agreement (MLA)

• MLA standardizes the terms and conditions that
  apply to all sites licensed to a carrier
• Carrier must first enter into a MLA to be
  eligible for consideration in locating a tower at
  an ODOT facility
• Following execution of the MLA, carrier may then
  submit applications proposing installation of
  towers at specific ODOT facilities, this requires
  the granting of an Individual Site Agreement (ISA)

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Individual Site Agreement (ISA)

• Granted for a specific ODOT facility when the
  proposed site does not detract from the
  safe/efficient transportation of the public
• Agreement is for five (5) years
• May be renewed for three (3) consecutive five (5)
  year periods
• Describes the specific use and restrictions for
  utilizing an ODOT site
• ISA must be submitted with a 2,000
  non-refundable application fee
• Requires a security deposit of 10,000

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Site Identification

• Requires collaboration between the district
  cellular tower coordinator and the cellular
  carrier
• Once a site has been identified the district
  coordinator
• Conducts preliminary research as to future
  highway plans in the area
• Determines status of parcel ownership only
  parcels held in fee simple / warranty deed will
  be utilized for the siting of cellular towers

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Site Identification Cont.

• District coordinator and carrier visit site.
  Coordinator advises carrier as to the sites
  potential
• Coordinator approves/disapproves site
• If approved the carrier then submits the
  following
• Conceptual Proposal Checklist
• Permit Application

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Conceptual Proposal Checklist

• Includes key information pertaining to the
  proposed site and the carrier, including
• Description / Location of the site including
  longitude, latitude, and elevation.
• County and municipality
• Height of proposed tower

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Permit Application

• Also contains information pertaining to the
  carrier, ie
• - identity of carrier
• - carriers reason for permit
• - carrier contact person
• Carrier must also completely state the type of
  installation proposed at the site

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Site Plans

• Once the site has been approved the carrier
  prepares / submits site plans for approval
• Local Officials are notified of plans to
  construct a cellular tower in their area
• Following ODOT approval the plans are submitted
  to FHWA for review / approval
• Once FHWA approval is received the Individual
  Site Agreement (ISA) is executed
• ODOT issues a permit to enter the property and
  begin construction

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Payment for Use Base Fee Factors

• The carrier pays ODOT an annual fee for each site
• Calculated on two factors
• - Geographic location
• - Equipment (number of antennas)
• State is divided into four geographic areas for
  fee purposes
• Urban
• Suburban
• Rural/suburban
• Rural

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Payment for Use Base Fee Factors - Cont.

• Example
• Urban location with 14-16 antenna on tower
• Fee 22,000
• Suburban location with same number antenna
• Fee 18,000
• As we move through the other locations with the
  same number of antenna the fee is less than the
  examples given
• All fees increase 3.5 annually
• ODOT currently has 41 towers with 51 co-locators,
  which generate 1.3 million annually

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Tower Site Termination

• ODOT or the primary carrier may terminate the ISA
  should it become inadvisable for either party to
  continue the agreement.
• Requires 30 days written notice
• No relocation payment after one year

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Co-Locators

• One of the key benefits of the Program
• Master License Agreement requires primary carrier
  to negotiate in good faith to share its tower
  space with other providers
• Designed to reduce the number of towers erected
  along Ohios highways

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Ohio Cell Tower Website Map

• Each triangle reps. a cellular tower site
• Should you click on a given triangle, specific
  info. will be displayed including
• Tower ownership
• Location
• Any co-locators on the tower
• www.dot.state.oh.us/cell/cellmap.htm

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Wireless Communications Program Marketing Efforts

• Development of preferred cellular tower register
• Register purpose
• Provide cellular industry with an inventory of
  selected cellular sites
• Each site has the characteristics to successfully
  accommodate a cellular tower, ie. Adequate site
  access, proximity to power sources and other
  amenities

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Cellular Tower Inspection and Assessment

• ODOT is currently conducting a survey of all
  cellular towers within its system to determine
  the accurate number of antenna located on a given
  tower
• ODOTs fee schedule is based upon the number of
  antenna mounted on a tower
• Info ensures correct fee schedule is utilized

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Camouflaged Towers

• Many communities dislike the appearance cellular
  towers present
• ODOT working with the cellular company can
  provide solutions
• Erection in infields with other high mast
  lighting
• Examples..

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S.R. 257 Tower (Dublin, Ohio)
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Cont.
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Cont.
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Mexican Fan Palm (Southern California)
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Mexican Fan Palm (2)
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Apparatus Concealment
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Ohio Department of Transportation Wireless
Communications Program Presentation

• Questions?
• www.dot.state.oh.us/real/
• Stephen D. Cheek, Manager
• Wireless Communications Program
• phone [phone]