COLUMBUS, Ohio - Self-driving shuttles are expected to ferry passengers in the capital city's downtown streets by the holidays.

The Ohio Department of Transportation, the city of Columbus and Ohio State University are seeking proposals from companies to operate and maintain low-speed, self-driving shuttle service around the downtown riverfront area known as the Scioto Mile. It will be the first autonomous vehicle shuttle service in Ohio.

The timeline is to have the shuttles tested without passengers in October and November. In December, the shuttles would carry people to the key Scioto Mile destinations: Bicentennial Park, the Center of Science and Industry (COSI,) the soon-to-open National Veterans Memorial and Museum and the Smart Columbus Experience Center - a hands-on museum where people can learn about coming technological changes to transportation in Columbus and around the country.

The company that wins the business will have to prove it can provide the service safely at a good price. In all, $4 million is budgeted for the shuttle service - but that also includes two additional phases of shuttle expansion. Phase 2 is expected to operate at OSU, possibly connecting the more remote areas of campus with the main area. Phase 3's details will be determined at a later date, said Alyssa Chenault, a spokeswoman for the city.

"This is the first time this is happening in Ohio," she said. "We'll take the knowledge and figure out what additional routes we can have."

Jim Barna, executive director of DriveOhio, ODOT's "smart" mobility initiative, said public safety is tantamount as the shuttles are deployed.

"As with any emerging technology, ensuring the safety of the shuttles' riders as well as drivers and pedestrians sharing the road will be of the utmost importance," he said in a statement. "We are committed to ensuring this testing is performed transparently and coordinated with local transportation officials and that data captured through the pilot program is made available for cities around the country and the world."

In June 2016, Columbus won $40 million, competing against 77 other cities, from the U.S. Department of Transportation to upgrade its transportation network for new technology. The Smart Columbus plan will combine different so-called smart transportation technologies, including self-driving cars and "connective vehicles" that will communicate with each other and technology installed on key roadways to warn of potential car accidents, for instance. "Smart sensors" are the in-vehicle technology that allows cars to talk.

The city later received $10 million from the Paul G. Allen Philanthropies to accelerate the transition to an electrified, low-emissions transportation system.

And an additional $500 million in investments by private, public and academic institutions are supporting the upgrades. Columbus is expected to be the country's first city to fully integrate the self-driving, connective vehicle and smart sensor technologies.

"Autonomous vehicle technology has the potential to expand transportation options and help provide equitable and convenient access to educational destinations, jobs and services in a safe and sustainable way," said Michael Stevens, Columbus' chief innovation officer, in a statement.