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Coppell Smart City Board recommends microgrid, autonomous-vehicle integration and urban air mobility exploration
Summary
The Smart City Board presented three portfolio priorities — a microgrid, autonomous-vehicle infrastructure integration, and urban air mobility (eVTOL) — and recommended establishing a liaison with DFW Airport innovation staff to pursue pilots and collaboration.
Coppell — The City of Coppell Smart City Board on March 25 recommended the council explore three technology areas — a local microgrid, integration of autonomous vehicles with city infrastructure, and urban air mobility — and asked the city to establish a liaison to the DFW Airport innovation center to accelerate implementation.
Sam Gautam Vemuganti, chair of the Smart City Board, presented the board’s 2024 work and framed the “reverse globalization” portfolio that seeks to offset potential tax revenue losses in the warehouse district by attracting new technology and business uses.
Board members highlighted three priorities. Kaneshka Choudhury described a microgrid as a self‑sustaining, local electricity system that “provides a resilient energy supply” and can incorporate renewables; the board urged a capital‑cost analysis. Deepak Chavanth outlined potential autonomous‑vehicle integration with signals and infrastructure to protect “vulnerable road users” such as pedestrians, cyclists and schoolchildren. The board also proposed exploring urban air mobility (electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL) for freight and passenger last‑mile connections, using underutilized pavement and partnerships with DFW Airport.
Why it matters: Board members said the proposals could preserve or grow local economic activity and strengthen resilience. The group emphasized collaboration with DFW Airport as a cost‑effective path to pilot projects because the airport already has innovation investments in microgrids, eVTOL and digital infrastructure.
Council discussion: Mayor Wes Mays suggested the board coordinate with State Representative Cassandra Hernandez — “her bill” on related issues is pending — after the legislative session, and offered to facilitate contact with DFW Airport staff. Councilmember Prem Kumar called the recommendation “one of the best” in recent years and supported moving forward. Several council members suggested surveying other North Texas cities, pursuing federal grants for autonomous‑vehicle work, and leveraging existing regional partnerships.
Action and next steps: The board requested the council establish a liaison role to collaborate with DFW Airport’s innovation center and recommended targeted analyses for feasibility and costs. No binding council vote was recorded; council members directed staff to help facilitate meetings with the airport and indicated support for further study.
Ending: Council members thanked the Smart City Board for the report and expressed interest in continued cross‑board collaboration and in pursuing pilot opportunities with regional partners.
