Authors

Skip Descant

Staff Writer


Skip Descant writes about smart cities, the Internet of Things, transportation and other areas. He spent more than 12 years reporting for daily newspapers in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and California. He lives in downtown Sacramento.

August 19, 2019

Just How Green Are Electric Scooters? Turns Out, Not Very

A new study by researchers at North Carolina State University concluded that e-scooters have a larger environmental footprint than other forms of micro-mobility. They're greener than cars, but still have room to improve.
August 15, 2019

NYC's New Fare-Payment System Tallies 1 Million Uses

The new contactless payment system rolling out across the New York City bus and subway network launched at the end of May. Some 80 percent of riders "tap" into the system via a digital wallet.

August 14, 2019

Tech to Help New York MTA Better Manage Crowds, Performance

The Metropolitan Transit Authority will lead several year-long pilot projects to improve rider experience and system performance. The projects include crowd management and push alerts to ease congestion at stations.

August 13, 2019

Georgia Highway Becomes Testbed for Connected Vehicles

An 18-mile stretch of Interstate 85 in Georgia will be outfitted with a data management platform to support a connected vehicle pilot project and create a learning lab to educate jurisdictions about the technology.
August 9, 2019

Will Technology Be Enough to Stop Vegas’ Wrong-Way Drivers?

The data officials thought would show one or two drivers going the wrong way turned out to 30 to 40 a week — a dangerous situation in the best of circumstances. But new tech may help buck this potentially deadly trend.

August 7, 2019

Las Vegas and Others Prepare for AV Future with Road Rules

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada participated in a pilot project by INRIX to test-drive its new Road Rules platform, joining six other public entities across the country.
August 6, 2019

State-of-the-Art Autonomous Vehicle Test Site Opens in Ohio

The new $45 million SMARTCenter opened at the Transportation Research Center in East Liberty, Ohio to test autonomous vehicle technologies. Planning for the facility began about five years ago.
August 5, 2019

Arizona CIO Morgan Reed Departs for Private Sector

Reed, who has served as Arizona chief information officer since 2015, has taken a spot in the private sector — though officials could not comment on the company he had joined or the role he would play there.

August 5, 2019

Montgomery, Ala., Installs Smart Tech on Garbage Trucks

Alabama’s capital city has entered into a three-year agreement after a six-month pilot that saw roughly 80 garbage trucks there outfitted with the RUBICONSmartCity platform to better manage routes and maintenance.
July 30, 2019

Growth Spurt Forces Austin to Rethink Its Transportation Path

Like so many other rapidly growing cities, Austin, Texas, is dealing with considerable congestion and a daunting outlook for the future. But, new recommendations are reframing the conversation and offering officials options.
July 26, 2019

Johnson County, Kan., Names New Chief Information Officer

Bill Nixon will lead the Department of Technology and Innovation in Johnson County, Kan., starting July 29, 2019. He replaces Michael Aldridge, who served in the role for more than two years.

July 26, 2019

StreetLight Data Opens Office in Canada, Eyes Border Traffic

StreetLight Data, the big-data and traffic-analytics firm, has identified congested border crossings between the United States and Canada as possible areas where improved planning could mitigate traffic.
July 25, 2019

Looking for a Scooter in Chicago? Launch the Transit App

Electric scooters and other forms of urban mobility in Chicago can be accessed via the Transit app, which officials say will allow users to find a close ride without having to toggle between multiple scooter apps.
July 23, 2019

Virginia DOT Looks to Tracking Tech for Fleet Efficiencies

Nearly 12,000 snowplows in the state will be outfitted with new software and equipment to more efficiently manage winter weather operations. The changes will mean better monitoring of routes, and vehicle maintenance.

July 22, 2019

Autonomous Delivery Robots Find Place in Michigan Bike Lanes

A company in Ann Arbor, Mich., is testing the hypothesis that full-sized autonomous vehicles are not the answer to making short-distance food or grocery deliveries, and is instead betting on small electric vehicles.
July 18, 2019

Portland, Ore., Metro Tests Mobility Analytics Platform

A new urban travel planning tool called Replica, run by Sidewalk Labs, simulates transportation trends using anonymous data that is expected to be far more accurate than traditional analysis.
July 17, 2019

Cities Experiment with Parking Fees to Wrangle Scooters

A three-month pilot program in several cities is charging scooter operators parking fees when the devices go unused. The hope is that the charges will discourage over-deployments of the devices.

July 8, 2019

Ford Challenge Will Spur Mobility Innovations in Detroit

The automaker is partnering with the city of Detroit and other organizations to find mobility solutions that directly and uniquely improve the quality of life of residents and businesses in the area.

July 5, 2019

Tech Is Helping San Antonio Push More Accurate Transit Data

VIA Metropolitan Transit in the Texas city is relying on new flash storage technology to speed up numerous operations, increasing the accuracy of real-time bus location data for its riders.

July 2, 2019

California, Other States Take on E-Scooter Regulations

Two California bills aimed at enabling and regulating new forms of urban mobility have been put on hold at least until early next year. Like other states, it is grappling with how to address emerging mobility solutions.
July 1, 2019

Scores of Cities, Counties Commit to Electric Fleet Future

More than 140 cities and counties in the United States have pledged to purchase more than 2,100 electric vehicles by the end of next year, a move that lends more credibility to the alternative fuel technology.
June 28, 2019

Utah Grows Connected Vehicle Work with Panasonic Partnership

The Utah Department of Transportation has outlined a five-year, $50 million partnership with Panasonic Corp. of North America to develop what state officials are calling “the most advanced transportation data network.”

June 26, 2019

Washington, D.C., Pilot Project Addresses Crowded Curbs

The District's Department of Transportation will conduct a three-month study with the startup curbFlow to explore how to better manage urban freight traffic around overly congested street curbs.

June 21, 2019

Electric Vehicle Charging Network Expands in California

Drive the ARC, a network of 57 public chargers stretching from Monterey to Lake Tahoe in California, has been completed. It offers electric vehicle drivers an escape from what is known as "range anxiety."

June 20, 2019

Los Angeles Metro Wants Drivers to Rent Out Their Cars

In a unique partnership with car-sharing firm Getaround, the city's transit agency hopes to reduce congestion and improve last-mile travel by allowing drivers to turn their vehicles into temporary car-shares.
June 19, 2019

Georgia Smart Communities Challenge Announces Partner Cities

The Georgia cities participating include Columbus, Milton, Woodstock and Macon, which have all been selected for the year-long mentoring and funding smart cities program, spearheaded by Georgia Tech.
June 14, 2019

Electric Ferry Under Development in California’s Bay Area

The new vessel will continue a trend that has been seen in other modes of transportation — namely passenger vehicles. If upcoming transit projects are any indicator, ferry use in the region will likely continue to boom.
June 13, 2019

Like Gas Pumps, EV Charging Stations Pose Cybercrime Vector

The proliferation of electric vehicle charging stations has some considering the risks posed by cybercriminals. A new report advocates for contactless payment options to reduce the opportunity for card skimmers.
June 11, 2019

Smarter Streetlights Are Just the Beginning in Syracuse, N.Y.

Syracuse will phase out all of its 17,500 conventional streetlights for an LED-powered lighting network system. But the city also has its eye on pulling in data like never before.
June 6, 2019

Dallas Public Transit to Hire a Chief Innovation Officer

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit agency is in the search for its first chief innovation officer, following a trend by other transit agencies to include innovation as a core mission and to reverse recent declines in ridership.
June 5, 2019

Several California Counties Move Toward Next-Gen 911

Next-Generation 911 systems are heralded for their ability to pinpoint caller locations during an emergency while handling the sorts of data coming from smartphones.

June 4, 2019

Battling Congestion in Charleston Takes Tech, Behavior Change

The goal of increasing and maintaining a skilled workforce is prompting some in the South Carolina city to target the gnarled rush hour commutes. Local employers are leading the fight and turning to innovative ideas to make it happen.
May 30, 2019

California DMV Considers Reworked Regs for AV Delivery Tests

The California Department of Motor Vehicles is considering new regulatory language to allow for the testing of light-duty delivery vehicles on public streets.

May 29, 2019

Denver Plows Ahead with Connected Vehicle Tech Deployments

The city continues to move ahead with the deployment of new connected vehicle technologies, which officials hope can offer safer and more efficient traffic operations.

May 24, 2019

AAA Report: Driver Uncertainty Slows Electric Car Adoption

Only 16 percent of Americans say they are likely to purchase an electric vehicle, according to the report. Most drivers cite concerns about the lack of charging stations as a prime reason they won't buy one.
May 23, 2019

An App Is Helping PennDOT Streamline Payroll, Save Millions

The new ePayroll mobile app, developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, makes real-time management of highway workers' payroll and time sheets easier from work sites. Officials estimate it could save $7.5 million annually.
May 22, 2019

San Diego Makes Strong Bet on IoT, Telematics and Apps

The city is in the midst of one of the biggest IoT deployments in North America, involving cameras, microphones and sensors, that will help understand how people move through San Diego's streets.
May 20, 2019

Orlando Asks Consultants for Help Crafting Smart City Vision

The Florida city has issued an RFP to bring on a consultant to help the city develop an in-depth smart city roadmap and strategy.

May 17, 2019

Santa Clara County Redefines 'Street Smart'

With highly intelligent traffic signals on major 10-lane arterial roads, the county has been using cloud technology and edge computing to control the flow of traffic for the benefit of cars, bicycles and pedestrians.
May 16, 2019

Metro Phoenix Leverages IoT to Deliver Regional Services

The sprawling desert metropolis has mined the Internet of Things to grapple with homelessness, traffic and public safety. But as tech makes this easier, the hard part is serving in an ethical and sensitive manner.
May 15, 2019

Can Scooters Generate Infrastructure Funds for Portland, Ore.?

A second e-scooter pilot project in Portland, Ore., launched with more companies, but also more fees to support improved scooter and bike infrastructure.

May 9, 2019

States Contribute Images for 270K Miles of Roads to Database

State transportation departments are turning to street-imaging and mapping services like Mapillary to map and categorize thousands of miles of highways. In the future, imaging options might expand.
May 8, 2019

Alex Braszko Named Next Innovation Chief in Kansas City, Mo.

Alex Braszko will take the place of Bob Bennett as chief innovation officer in Kansas City, Mo. Just like Bennett, Braszko brings a military background to the role in Missouri's largest city.
May 7, 2019

New Homes Must Be EV Charger-Ready Under New Seattle Rule

A new law in Seattle will require new home construction with off-street parking to be wired for electric vehicle charging units, part of a push by the city and the state of Washington toward EVs.
May 7, 2019

Advanced Drone Technology Spreads Its Wings in Ohio

A new high-tech radar system called SkyVision, developed by Ohio's Department of Transportation and the Air Force Research Laboratory, will allow drones to fly beyond the visual line of sight.
May 6, 2019

More Than 250 'Free-Floating' EVs Hit Sacramento Streets

Sacramento, Calif., officially rolled out its GIG car-share program, placing 250 electric vehicles on the streets, available to rent with an app. It's part of a push the city is making toward increasing mobility options.
May 1, 2019

Micro-Mobility Is Here to Stay — Cities Should Act Accordingly

A new report by the National Association of City Transportation Officials finds that micro-mobility networks offering bikes and e-scooters are seeing rapid growth in cities across the country.

May 1, 2019

West Hollywood Launches Tech-Laden Transit Shelters

The Los Angeles-area city of 34,000 has installed two smart bus shelters for transit riders, complete with real-time travel information, USB charging ports for phone charging and Wi-Fi.
April 30, 2019

2018 Was the Year of the Car, and Transit Ridership Felt It

Public transit ridership in 2018 was down 2 percent from the year before, continuing a trend of declining transit use across the country. While there are a number of factors at play, privately owned cars seem to be a driving force.

April 26, 2019

Daimler, BMW Take a Stab at the Urban Mobility Marketplace

Car-sharing, ride-hailing and other mobility-as-a-service ventures are now offered by REACH NOW, a joint company formed by Daimler and BMW.

April 25, 2019

California Leads With Hydrogen-Powered Electric Cars

The state currently has just 39 hydrogen refueling stations, but could have as many as 1,000 stations by 2030, enough to jump-start the little-known but environmentally friendly, specialized electric car market.
April 24, 2019

Waymo Announces Plans to Build Self-Driving Cars in Detroit

One of the leaders in autonomous vehicle technology has decided to mass produce the next generation of automobiles in the city where large-scale production of affordable cars got its start.
April 23, 2019

Five Cities Take Honors in the 2019 Smart Readiness Challenge

The winning communities, ranging from San Diego and Edmonton, Alberta, to Racine, Wis., were chosen from a pool of 200 projects and received top marks for impact, collaboration, inclusiveness and sustainability.
April 18, 2019

California Police Agency Authorized for Wider Drone Deployment

The Federal Aviation Administration granted a certificate of authorization to the Chula Vista Police Department to operate drones beyond the "visual line of sight."

April 17, 2019

Congestion Pricing: Is There a Perfect Technology Solution?

As New York and other cities eye congestion pricing plans, transportation experts say coupling the cost with better, cheaper alternatives could go a long way in reducing traffic in dense urban areas.
April 16, 2019

Minnesota Gov. Walz Names Permanent MNIT Commissioner

Tarek Tomes has been selected as the next commissioner of Minnesota IT Services, taking over from Acting Commissioner William Poirier.

April 10, 2019

California Continues to Lead in Electric Vehicle Adoption

Electric vehicle car sales in California grew 13 percent in the first three months of this year, compared to the same period last year.

April 9, 2019

AI in the Smart City: Experts Talk Risks and Rewards

A panel discussion at the Smart Cities Connect Conference explored how artificial intelligence is being deployed in a number of communities, as well as cautionary advice officials should heed when considering the technology.
April 4, 2019

Kansas City CInO Bob Bennett Headed to Smart Cities Think Tank

The outgoing innovation officer will move on to become chair of the Cities Today Institute, which focuses on sustainable urban development issues.
March 26, 2019

Columbus' Experience Center Branches Out to Include Smart City Tech

From its original roots as an electric vehicle showroom, the Smart Columbus Experience Center in downtown Columbus, Ohio, is exploring new opportunities to share a wider range of smart city technologies.

March 26, 2019

Danielle DuMerer

CIO, Chicago
March 21, 2019

Smart Cities Readiness Challenge Narrowed to 10 Finalists

Five winners will be selected during the Smart Cities Week conference April 15-17 in San Diego. Those cities will become part of the year-long Readiness Program to scale up smart city visions into reality.

March 15, 2019

Drivers Embrace Tech, But Unsure About Self-Driving Cars

At the fifth annual Redefining Mobility Summit in San Ramon, Calif., industry and public officials discussed the rapidly changing world of advanced and autonomous driving systems and what that means for drivers.
March 6, 2019

St. Louis Creates Partnership for Multimodal Trip-Planning

Metro Transit in St. Louis will work with the Transit App for trip-planning, booking and payment across a range of transportation services, from bus and light rail to private ride-hailing options.
March 1, 2019

Boston Mayor Walsh Names New CDO, First CISO

Stefanie Costa Leabo will lead the Analytics Team, a division within the Department of Innovation and Technology, while Gregory McCarthy takes over as the first chief information security officer, the city announced March 1.

March 1, 2019

Los Angeles' Stressed Trees Could Benefit from Technology

Controller Ron Galperin wants to use remote sensing, mapping and data sharing to help with cataloging and managing the city's urban tree forest, which could decline 30 percent in the next decade without proper care.
February 28, 2019

Growing Metros Need Tech, Transit to Reduce Congestion

A new report released by traffic analysis firm INRIX highlights the 25 most congested cities in the U.S., and experts in some of those locales see opportunities to get smarter about how they manage the flow of traffic.
February 27, 2019

Honolulu Turns to Remix to Plan Future Transportation Needs

The city wants to leverage data from the popular transportation planning platform to help set regulations that will impact how people move about the city, and the role providers will play in delivering mobility services.
February 22, 2019

Pew Initiative to Study Broadband Access Hurdles

The Pew Charitable Trusts has launched its new Broadband Research Initiative to understand why some 24 million Americans still lack broadband access.

February 21, 2019

Autonomous Shuttles Make Debut at California State University

Two self-driving shuttles have launched at the Sacramento campus as part of a three-month pilot program, and the mayor says it shows strong potential for being continued.

February 21, 2019

Transportation Agencies Shed Paper for Mobile Devices

After decades of relying on paper processes, California's Contra Costa Transportation Authority is discovering the power of online information and digital devices to manage road projects and inspections in real time.

February 20, 2019

New Mapping Software Creates Digital Atlas of Street Signs

In Clovis, N.M., the painstaking, manual task of geocoding every street sign and roadway object has been automated using an imagery platform from Mapillary that integrates cameras, computer vision and algorithms.
February 19, 2019

EV Programs Need to Remember Disadvantaged Communities

Making equity a central goal is essential when devising successful and inclusive electric vehicle programs. Too often, programs miss less fortunate communities and the benefits that come with boosting mobility.
February 14, 2019

Study Finds Bike-Share Hurts Buses, but Might Help Trains

A new study by the University of Kentucky concluded bike and scooter-share operations may be depressing bus ridership. On the other hand, train systems such as light rail and subways might benefit from the same options.
February 11, 2019

Columbus, Ohio, Prepares to Launch Second AV Shuttle Service

The driverless shuttles, operating with autonomous vehicle technology, will serve as a free, first-mile/last-mile solution connecting residents to a community center, recreation facility and a transit center.
February 8, 2019

EV Charging on the Rise, with a Jolt from Car-Shares

EVgo, a network of public electric vehicle charging locations, attributes some of its recent success to the increasing popularity of ride-shares and the need for faster vehicle charging capability.
February 7, 2019

Philadelphia Adopts Smart City Road Map

The document gives the city a foundation for evaluating how technology can improve the lives of residents, serve economic development efforts or other civic purposes.
February 1, 2019

Denver Mass Transit Forms Partnership with Uber

For the first time, riders can now plan bus or rail trips on their Uber app. However, some transit experts caution against letting private-sector firms become the de facto mobility manager for a transit region.
January 31, 2019

Electronic License Plates Available in Arizona and California

State interest in digital license plates has steadily grown, thanks to their connected vehicle capabilities, customized messaging and geo-location potential.

January 30, 2019

Texas Forms Self-Driving Car Task Force

The move will help put the state at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology testing by creating a single point where industry can coordinate with agencies, with the goal of reducing crashes and improving safety.
January 29, 2019

Connecticut Doubles Up on Tech Expertise with New DAS Hire

Gov. Ned Lamont has named Josh Geballe as the new commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services, which oversees the work done in the Bureau of Enterprise Systems and Technology.
January 25, 2019

Michael Dietrich Will Remain Nevada's CIO

Steve Sisolak, the new governor, has decided to retain Dietrich as the state's chief information officer.

January 23, 2019

New Tool Gives Cities a Clearer Picture of Bikes, Pedestrians

A new transportation analytics tool by StreetLight Data allows cities to view a detailed look at all biking and pedestrian trips.

January 22, 2019

Seattle Finds New CTO in Former Ottawa CIO Saad Bashir

The new appointee brings experience from both the public and private sectors and will serve as the permanent replacement for Michael Mattmiller, who left in January 2018.
January 18, 2019

David Cagigal to Remain Wisconsin CIO in New Administration

Appointed by former Gov. Scott Walker, David Cagigal has been serving as chief information officer for the state of Wisconsin since 2011. He will remain in his position under incoming Gov. Tony Evers.

January 17, 2019

Montgomery, Ala., Begins the Smart City Metamorphosis

One of the capital city’s most active corridors will soon be home to a nine-block living laboratory, complete with Wi-Fi, smart streetlights and a host of other tech-laden features.
January 16, 2019

BART Releases Multimodal Trip-Planning Feature in Its App

The Bay Area Rapid Transit District recently launched a multimodal trip-planning tool that considers transit data from more than 30 transportation operators across nine counties in the San Francisco metro area.
January 15, 2019

Louisiana Enters the Era of the Digital Driver's License

About 77,000 Louisiana motorists have downloaded the license app since the statewide launch of LA Wallet in July 2018. While law enforcement accepts the DDL as a form of identity, the retail sector remains wary.
January 11, 2019

Court Rules in Favor of FCC 5G Regulatory Rollbacks

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit is allowing a ruling from the Federal Communications Commission — one that takes away decision-making from local government on small cell equipment — go into effect.
January 10, 2019

Report: Public Transit Must Become a City's Mobility Backbone

A survey by the American Public Transportation Association finds that millennials value transit, but agencies must take the lead in becoming mobility managers to keep up with changing travel options.
January 7, 2019

AAA Acquires Largest Autonomous Vehicle Test Site in the Country

GoMentum Station in California has been been under management of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. The move is expected to boost visibility of AVs for AAA's 60 million members.
December 28, 2018

Ohio Eyes New Connected Vehicle Test, One of Several in U.S.

The largest city in Ohio — Columbus, its capital city — is already setting up its own connected vehicle project. Now the state is looking to set up its own pilot test in a smaller city northwest of Columbus.
December 21, 2018

Smart Columbus Encourages Uber Drivers to Go Electric

As part of a broad rethinking of transportation, Ohio's capital is making $90,000 available for ride-hailing drivers who trade in their gas-powered car for an electric model.

December 18, 2018

Colleges in California and Arizona Will Pilot Autonomous Shuttles

Sacramento State University and the East Valley Institute of Technology in Phoenix will receive test vehicles from LM Industries for both research and actual use as shuttles.
December 18, 2018

California Regulation Sets Course for Emission-Free Buses by 2040

The rule, which requires the adoption of electric or hydrogen-fueled buses, has received mixed reviews from transit agencies.
December 14, 2018

Las Vegas Partners with NTT to Study IoT Impact on Transportation

The city and telecom giant will install an array of sensors in a 30-block area of downtown Las Vegas to study how big data and predictive analytics can prevent travel problems before they happen.

December 13, 2018

L.A. Metro Payment Card Now Accepts Bike-Share Service

The bike rental app is the first in what is expected to be a wide range of new mobility services that will be available for transit card users across Los Angeles County.
December 12, 2018

Miami Study Shows Solutions to Traffic Congestion Are Complex

A study found the relationship between gig-driving and traffic can be influenced by a range of urban environmental factors, including land use, location, time of day, urban density and existing transit options.
December 11, 2018

Atlanta CIO Revisits Notorious Hack, Looks to the Future

Gary Brantley, chief information officer for Atlanta, discussed some of the IT changes made in the city following the costly March 2018 ransomware attack.

December 11, 2018

Tampa Launches Major Test of Connected Vehicle Technology

The 18-month pilot involves more than 1,000 vehicles and will attempt to collected more accurate transportation data that could help drivers and the city's transit service.
December 5, 2018

Ervan Rodgers Will Take the Helm as Ohio's Next CIO

Ohio Gov.-elect Mike DeWine named Ervan Rodgers II as the state's next chief information officer. Formerly the CIO for the Ohio Attorney General's Office, Rodgers succeeds Stu Davis, who departed in September.

December 4, 2018

Electric Buses Are Not Only Clean but Less Costly to Run

A new report by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund has found electric buses are not only clean, but have lower operational costs than traditional diesel buses. Still, few are on the road.

December 1, 2018

Arizona CISO Mike Lettman on Top Security Issues for State IT

Cybersecurity remains as a leading concern at all levels of government. Arizona’s chief information security officer discusses what he sees in his state and new approaches that can make government more resilient.
November 29, 2018

Fixing Transportation May Be the Most Important Job Cities Have

City and industry officials gathered in Sacramento, Calif., for day two of the annual Meeting of the Minds Summit to discuss the problems and opportunities in the transportation sector.
November 28, 2018

Change Is in the DNA of All Smart City Initiatives

City and industry officials are gathered in Sacramento, Calif., for the annual Meeting of the Minds Summit to discuss problems and technological solutions in areas like transportation, sustainability and equity.

November 27, 2018

Smart Cities Living Lab in Dallas Issues Case Studies Report

The Dallas Innovation Alliance released a report detailing feedback generated from nine smart city pilot projects within the Smart Cities Living Lab in the West End Historic District.

November 20, 2018

Columbus, Ohio, Turns to On-Demand Transportation to Improve Medical Access

The Ohio pilot project, known as the Prenatal Trip Assistance program, will use a Web platform that will make it easier for pregnant women to request transportation for medical visits.

November 15, 2018

How Transit Is Turning to Tech to Cut Through Congestion

TriMet, which manages public transit in Portland, Ore., is exploring a range of advancements so vehicles can operate more efficiently and cut through congestion.

November 14, 2018

Columbus, Ohio, Shares Its Smart City Secrets in New Playbook

The online collection of case studies, strategies and other information will provide cities with insight into how Columbus is making public transit safer and easier to use.
November 12, 2018

Mobility Hub Project Moving Forward in Columbus, Ohio

The Central Ohio Transit Authority is leading an effort to develop "smart mobility hubs," complete with interactive kiosks, at four locations in Columbus, Ohio.

November 9, 2018

Lime and Spin to Share Detailed Use Data with LADOT

Scooter- and bike-share operators Lime and Spin form an agreement with transportation technology company Remix to share loads of real-time data with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

November 8, 2018

Los Angeles Area to Host Government-Funded Electric Semi Demo

A demonstration project will deploy more than 20 Volvo electric trucks to serve ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach. Electric cars have begun to appear in the market, but bigger EVs are mostly in the development stage.
November 6, 2018

Connected Vehicle Technologies Expand to Austin, Texas

What if cars talked to traffic lights? Five busy intersections in Austin, Texas, have been outfitted with devices to enable connected vehicle communications. The city plans on installing two more in 2019.
November 5, 2018

Uber and Lyft Slowing Traffic in San Francisco, Says Report

A report by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority has concluded that ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft have greatly contributed to traffic congestion across San Francisco.

November 1, 2018

EV Car-Sharing Initiatives Take Root in Sacramento, Calif.

Envoy Technologies deployed electric Volkswagens as part of a car-sharing program in two neighborhoods as part of a push to introduce the technology.

October 30, 2018

EV Charging Infrastructure Moves Toward Interoperability

Electrify America has worked out a deal with EV Connect, Greenlots and SemaConnect to allow members of all three charging networks to use its electric car recharging locations.
October 30, 2018

Seattle Becomes Latest Test Site for Cargo e-Bikes

UPS launched a pilot project to deliver packages in downtown Seattle using pedal-assist cargo e-bikes pulling specially designed trailers.

October 29, 2018

Regional AV Shuttle Program Offers the Curious a Chance to Test the Tech

The maker of small, autonomous shuttles is behind a competition to offer access to the technology in Sacramento, Calif., and Phoenix.

October 25, 2018

Newark, N.J., Installs Multipurpose Kiosks Loaded with Free Services

The kiosks provide free international phone calls, as well as Wi-Fi connectivity, and can charge cellphones.
October 23, 2018

Smart City Data Projects Need Transparency and Oversight

Experts at the MetroLab Network Annual Summit warned about the need for control of data-heavy public safety projects, while emphasizing the positive side of community engagement.
October 17, 2018

Autonomous Shuttles Have the Opportunity to Improve the Bus Experience

Research in Chamblee, Ga., is focused on how to make the rider experience on an autonomous shuttle an enjoyable one.
October 16, 2018

MetroLab Launches Civic Innovation Challenge with National Science Foundation

MetroLab, a network of 44 cities, five counties and 55 universities dedicated to growing partnerships to solve complex urban problems, has launched its next major initiative.

October 15, 2018

For Next-Generation City Infrastructure, Consider Partnerships

The 2018 MetroLab Network Summit in New Jersey is bringing university, city and tech leaders from around the country.

October 12, 2018

FlexLA is Ready to Shuttle You Around Downtown Los Angeles

FlexLA is the new on-demand, micro-transit service for downtown Los Angeles.

October 11, 2018

Electric Utilities Plot Bullish Course for EV Charging Infrastructure

Electric utilities in Ohio, New Jersey and Florida announced plans for the aggressive development of electric vehicle charging ports.

October 10, 2018

Fremont, Calif., Leverages STiR, Waze Collaborations to Manage Congestion

Officials in Fremont, which recently joined the Startup in Residence program, hope to utilize it and a recent Waze partnership to address significant traffic congestion caused by out-of-town commuters.
October 5, 2018

Seattle Announces Plans to Transition to an Electric and Green Fleet

The city will also reduce the size of its vehicle fleet by 10 percent and is committed to eliminating all fossil fuel vehicles by 2030.
October 3, 2018

Millions Will Fund a Campaign Focused on Bolstering EVs in California

Veloz, an alliance of car makers, electric utilities and others, are launching a $4 million ad campaign in California to familiarize drivers with electric vehicles.

October 2, 2018

Phoenix Partnership Promises to Further Regional Smart Cities Work

A coalition of thought leaders are behind an effort to focus the collective talent of industry, academia and the public sector to develop and meet smart cities goals.
October 1, 2018

One Special District's Push for Broadband

Garrett Dunwoody, IT systems and technology manager for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District in the San Francisco Bay Area, on his agency's unique connectivity challenges.
September 28, 2018

Expanded Access to Wi-Fi Is a Keystone in San Leandro, Calif.'s Smart City Plan

The city council unanimously approved its Fiber Optics Master Plan earlier this month.

September 27, 2018

Before Cities Can Enforce Multimodal Policies, They Need Good Data

Companies want to help cities enforce and regulate new mobility devices like e-scooters, bikes or car-shares by offering up real-time data.

September 26, 2018

Partnership Hopes to Streamline Smart City Data Sharing Between Cities, Industry

Smart city accelerator US Ignite and the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions are facilitating efforts to work through the barriers to smart city data sharing.
September 21, 2018

Navigation Beacon Collaboration Pays Off in Chicago

More than 450 tiny Bluetooth beacons make navigating Chicago's underground streets a snap.

September 20, 2018

San Francisco Bay Area Planning Upgrades to Its Transit Payment System

The region's mass transit commission wants to spend $461 million to integrate the Clipper Card with private-sector mobility providers.
September 19, 2018

Long-Serving CISO Michael Roling to Leave State Government

He will leave his role as Missouri's cybersecurity point man at the end of the month.

September 19, 2018

Knight Foundation to Invest Millions in Community AV Projects

The Knight Foundation will provide more than $5 million across five cities to explore projects involving self-driving cars.

September 18, 2018

New Policies Move Scooters from Nuisance to Necessary

Cities across the country are moving to ensure e-scooters fill key goals around safety, mobility and equity before granting permits to operate.

September 17, 2018

Strong Growth Expected in EV Charging Stations

Companies like ChargePoint and Tritium announce plans to expand and develop more charging infrastructure, which could boost the adoption of electric vehicles.

September 13, 2018

More Mass Transit Riders Mean Fewer Traffic Deaths, Study Shows

A recent study by the American Public Transportation Association found that the traffic fatalities fall the more residents rely on buses and trains.
September 10, 2018

National Drive Electric Week Draws New Attention to Electric Vehicles

Electric car enthusiasts, and anyone even mildly interested in electric vehicle technologies, will have a chance to check out the latest tech at some 290 events nationwide.
September 6, 2018

Are Drivers Ditching Their Cars for Uber? Not So Fast, Say Experts

For all the talk around the effects ride-hailing is having on the transportation landscape, that actual impact of these services remains elusive.
September 4, 2018

New Jersey Pulls from Private Sector to Fill Two Key Roles

Gov. Phil Murphy has tapped Carrie Parikh to serve as the state's chief data and privacy officer and chief operating officer for the Office of Information Technology.

August 31, 2018

For EVs to Really Get Traction, Home Charging Needs to Be an Option

Where charging happens and how convenient it is can be a significant determinant behind the decision to buy an electric car, researchers argue.
August 30, 2018

Columbus, Ohio, to Build Multimodal Trip-Planning and Payment System

Smart Columbus and the Central Ohio Transit Authority have issued an RFP to develop a multimodal trip-planning platform to support ride-hailing and other transportation options.

August 28, 2018

How Utah Uses Big Data to Make Highways Safer

Using new data collection and analysis tools, traffic safety engineers can improve highway design.
August 24, 2018

New York City to Test Lamp-Post Car Charging

New York City selected the company ubitricity to develop a pilot project to allow electric vehicles the ability to plug into a streetlamp for recharging.

August 23, 2018

Texas City Partners with Drive.ai to Bring Autonomous Shuttles into the Fold

The city council in Arlington, Texas, approved a deal with Drive.ai to operate autonomous shuttles near AT&T Stadium.

August 22, 2018

Gainesville, Fla., Greenlights Countdown App for Traffic Signals

A majority of the city's traffic signals are part of a network that uses predictive algorithms and other technology to send real-time information to drivers about signal wait times.

August 20, 2018

Transit and Ride-Sharing Partnerships on the Rise, Despite Growing Pains

More than two dozen transit agencies have launched partnerships with transportation network companies, with varying degrees of success.

August 16, 2018

Impending Election or Not, Kansas’ New IT Chief Is Up to the Challenge

Lee Allen was named as the new chief information technology officer in late July.
August 15, 2018

Portsmouth, Va., Pins Its Economic, Social Future on High-Speed Connectivity

The city will build its own fiber-optic infrastructure to boost economic development, improve city services and close a significant digital divide.
August 14, 2018

High-Speed EV Chargers Coming to Virginia

The state will spend $14 million over the next three years to further develop its electric vehicle charging infrastructure along major highways.

August 9, 2018

L.A. Metro Readies Launch of Multi-Purpose Mobility Payment Card

Riders will be able to use different modes of transport, from buses and trains to electric scooters and ride-shares, with a single payment system.
August 7, 2018

Seattle Enlists Tech Help to Confront Social Ills

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan established the Innovation Advisory Council, which will bring together tech leaders to explore new approaches to issues like homelessness and mobility.

August 6, 2018

Traffic Data in Tampa Gets the AI Treatment

A pilot project in Tampa Bay, Fla., is using machine learning and artificial intelligence technology from Waycare to better manage traffic data and improve safety.

August 3, 2018

Data Suggests Free Wi-Fi, Charging Stations Help Drive Rest Stop Choices

Location and other data collected from smartphones shows which rest stops are most popular along Interstate 95.

August 1, 2018

Next-Gen Cities Wanted: Wireless Research Program Opens RFP Process

The Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR) project is looking for proposals for advanced communication technology on a citywide scale.

July 31, 2018

Colorado Will Develop a Digital Highway Using Connected-Vehicle Technology

The $70 million program, in partnership with Panasonic, will deploy a 90-mile network that will generate vast amounts of vehicle data along I-70 from Golden to Vail.
July 30, 2018

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Region Face Urgent Need to Modernize Transportation

A new report by the National Resources Defense Council calls for a multistate transportation collaborative to reduce congestion and pollution on the east coast. But it won't be cheap.
July 26, 2018

Columbus, Ohio, Launches Connected Vehicle Project

Nearly 2,000 vehicles and more than 100 intersections will be linked to demonstrate how real-time technology can manage traffic and improve safety.
July 25, 2018

IT Systems in Vegas Are Getting Trouble-Shooting Help, This Time from AI

Las Vegas is using a new machine learning platform to troubleshoot and predict IT system failures, getting the networks back online more quickly.

July 24, 2018

Free Shuttle Programs Have Found Their Place in Busy Cities

What started as a whimsical, almost gimmicky idea has become an integral part of connecting travelers to other modes of transportation
July 20, 2018

Florida to Connect State Rest Areas for Highway Safety

The Florida Department of Transportation is working to install sensors across the state’s 68 rest areas to take the guesswork out of parking for tired truckers.
July 19, 2018

Los Angeles to Install Intelligent Traffic Signal Controllers in Hopes of Improving Safety

Some 1,500 intersections in Los Angeles to get upgraded with new traffic signal equipment.

July 18, 2018

Data-Driven Efforts Yield Safer Drivers for a Washington Sheriff’s Department

Digitally collected driving and vehicle data from police cars in the Pacific Northwest has led to fewer car accidents and costly lawsuits, all while promoting a culture of safety.
July 13, 2018

Sacramento, Calif., to See Massive Electric Vehicle Investment

Electrify America is infusing $44 million into the state’s capital as part of the Green City partnership.
July 12, 2018

Oregon Is Planning a Large Buildout of EV Charging Infrastructure

The state has nearly $11 million to spend on expanding its electric vehicle infrastructure, but exactly how that happens remains to be seen.
July 11, 2018

Dallas Plugs into Electric Buses

The seven new battery-electric powered buses will operate downtown and are expected to save the transit agency on fuel and maintenance costs.
July 9, 2018

Columbus, Austin Announce Plans for Autonomous Shuttle Pilots

Both cities expect to move forward quickly to test whether AV technology can work as public transit in an urban environment.
July 5, 2018

Dallas Transit Embraces Uber, Lyft and Other Mobility Options

As part of a strategy to reverse declining ridership, the city is opening up its payment app to include a host of new features, including links to private ride-sharing services.

July 2, 2018

More Cities Turn to Alexa to Field Resident Questions

Johns Creek, Ga., and Raleigh, N.C., are using the Alexa Skill platform as a way to make open data information available.

June 28, 2018

Poll Points to Strong Support for Public Transit Projects

A poll conducted by the Sierra Club with voters on the East Coast found bipartisan support for transit and other projects that would reduce air pollution and climate change.

June 27, 2018

Research Shows Incentives to Purchase Electric Vehicles Are Working

According to a report by the Electrification Coalition, incentives and other public policy have led to increased sales of zero emissions vehicles.

June 27, 2018

Autonomous Vehicles to Have Huge Impact on Economy, Tech Sector

Current and former policymakers recently gathered in Washington to discuss the far-reaching economic and technological impact of autonomous vehicles that could generate $800 billion annually in benefits.
June 26, 2018

Kansas City, Mo., Closes Smart City RFP Without a Selection

After a year of reviewing potential private-sector partners, Kansas City opted to move forward with its smart city efforts without selecting a "program manager," and will work to develop a "smart city action plan."

June 22, 2018

Atlanta’s Second Smart Transit Corridor Takes Shape

A bus-rapid-transit route in the works along Campbellton Road in southwest Atlanta is set to get signal prioritization and other improvements to improve the commute.

June 20, 2018

Columbus, Ohio, Tries to Jump-Start the Local EV Market

Taxi operators who opt to trade in their gas-powered vehicles for cleaner electric models could receive cash rebates under a new Smart Columbus program.

June 19, 2018

Portland Launches Road Safety Sensor Pilot

The 18-month program will use 200 streetlight sensors to study car, foot and bike traffic on three busy city streets.
June 14, 2018

Can Cities Catch Up with Fast-Moving Electric Scooters?

Experts say local governments need to incorporate the self-propelled devices into their overall mobility plans, but there's no blueprint on how best to regulate them.
June 13, 2018

Nashville Experiments with Court Date Text Alerts

A program to alert individuals about upcoming court appearances in Nashville has shown positive results, especially among the homeless population.
June 12, 2018

Uber, Lyft and Other Mobility Options are Shaking Up Parking

The 2018 Emerging Trends in Parking report by the International Parking Institute points to a growing need to think of parking facilities as more than just places to park cars.

June 8, 2018

Kansas City, Mo., Issues RFP for Smart City Partner

The request for proposal aims to land the city a private-sector partner to help it become the “smartest city in North America.”
June 7, 2018

Mapping Tool Takes Regional View of New York City Tri-State Area

The Metro Region Explorer has revealed shifts in demographics, housing and workforce, which could impact the region's transit needs and overall economy.
June 6, 2018

Safety, Infrastructure Will Decide the Near-Term Success of AVs

Improving consumer faith will be central to the success of self-driving vehicles — but so will building out more charging infrastructure.
June 5, 2018

Making 5G a Reality Means Building Partnerships — Not Just Networks

As communities across the country charge ahead with smart city projects, California’s capital may hold the key to rolling out the high-capacity communications networks needed to support them.

June 1, 2018

How Cities Are Using Biking Apps to Understand Travel Patterns

Biking apps like Ride Report and Strava are being used by transportation planners to determine where biking infrastructure should be focused.

June 1, 2018

California Cities Receive Funding to Develop EV Charging Infrastructure Plans

The California Energy Commission awarded nearly $1.8 million in funding from the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program to nine cities and organizations to develop strategic plans for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

May 29, 2018

Idaho, Where Self-Driving Vehicles Aren't Currently Allowed, Forms Committee to Study Them

The Idaho Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Testing and Deployment Committee will hold its first meeting May 30 to begin the process of creating a framework for autonomous vehicle use and testing.
May 25, 2018

Wireless Car-Charging Testing Comes to GoMentum Station

ELIX Wireless will begin testing its wireless electric car-charging technology in California.

May 23, 2018

Self-Driving Cars Still Scare a Majority of Americans

A survey from AAA found that nearly three-fourths of drivers are fearful of climbing into an autonomous vehicle.

May 23, 2018

What Do Transit Riders Prize Even More than Cheap Tickets? Convenience

A new survey of 1,000 U.S. residents explored how to lure riders onto public transit.

May 22, 2018

Henderson, Nev., Launches Smart City Strategy

The Las Vegas suburb of 300,000 may use drones and other technologies as part of its smart city public safety initiative.

May 18, 2018

Think Uber and Lyft Are Killing Transit? Think Again

A new report by Shared-Use Mobility Center found that peak ridership with transportation network companies generally falls outside of traditional transit operating hours.
May 17, 2018

Little Vermont Uses Big Data to Predict Bridge Repairs and Traffic Jams

The state is exploring how AI and neural networks can help them forecast when vital infrastructure repairs are needed, years in advance.
May 16, 2018

Seattle, Houston Buck Declining Bus Ridership Trend

The two cities have improved bus service at a time when transit ridership in the United States dropped 2.9 percent in 2017.
May 11, 2018

Users of Lyft or Uber Likely to Embrace Autonomous Vehicles

A new report by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute surveyed users of ride-share services in four major metropolitan areas to gain insight into autonomous vehicle adoption.

May 10, 2018

Rhode Island to Explore Autonomous Shuttle Pilot

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has issued an RFP to develop an autonomous shuttle pilot program in the Providence region.

May 9, 2018

Streetcars Play an Expanding Role in Downtown Revivals

New lines have opened, or are in development, in 21 cities across the country.
May 7, 2018

Portal Solves Cities’ Park Accessibility Mystery

A new tool is ready for cities of all sizes to better manage their recreation assets and help make public parks more accessible to citizens.
May 4, 2018

L.A. Metro Will Test the Feasibility of Micro Transit

Three private-sector transit providers will show the city's transit agency how an on-demand, door-to-door transportation service should work.
May 2, 2018

Scaling Smart City Tech Could Help Clear Regional Obstacles

San Mateo County, Calif., is set to lead a smart city project through a new IoT lab aimed at deploying the technology on a regional scale.
May 1, 2018

Could Autonomous Vehicles Add to Congestion? Maybe, Say Planners

The topic of how to plan for autonomous vehicle deployment and use is beginning to come to the forefront for city planners in jurisdictions of all sizes.

April 26, 2018

Salt Lake City and New York to Lead New Wireless Tech Research

Salt Lake City and New York City will serve as testbeds for next-generation wireless communication testing, a project led by the National Science Foundation.

April 24, 2018

Smart Cincy Summit to Cover Smart Mobility, Infrastructure and More

About 250 attendees are expected at this year's second annual Smart Cincy Summit in Cincinnati.

April 24, 2018

L.A. Considers Legal Action to Stop Waze from Routing Commuters Through Neighborhoods

The navigation app helps drivers avoid traffic — which can mean sending highway drivers into residential side streets.
April 20, 2018

Cities Struggle to Contain Curbside Congestion

Delivery trucks, car-charging ports and smart parking meters have triggered new challenges when it comes to using curbside space in cities.
April 19, 2018

Pennsylvania Sets Stage for Increased AV Oversight

The state has issued a new set of voluntary guidelines, with the expectation that the Legislature will formalize AV policies.
April 17, 2018

Tampa and University of South Florida to Study Smart Transportation

A memorandum of understanding with the Center for Urban Transportation Research at USF will facilitate how the city and university work together on smart transportation projects.

April 13, 2018

Technology Guides Blind Transit Riders Right to the Bus Door

Boston, Austin and other cities are using Bluetooth and other digital aids to help blind and visually impaired riders better navigate their way to bus stops and train stations.

April 12, 2018

Smart Cities Collaborative Tackles Transit Issues

Twenty-two cities have been selected to participate in the second Smart Cities Collaborative, organized by Transportation for America, with the focus on mobility.

April 12, 2018

The Future of Urban Transportation Will be Holistic

Cities need to evolve towards a mobility plan that interconnects walking with biking, public transit, and ride-sharing. To do that will require tech, partnerships and collaboration, say experts.
April 11, 2018

West Hollywood Markets Its Small Size for Smart City Projects

The municipality is the smallest and densest city in Southern California, making it an ideal test bed for the latest urban technologies.

April 6, 2018

Tanya Hannah Named CIO of King County, Wash.

Hannah has been serving as interim CIO since the departure of Bill Kehoe.

April 6, 2018

Smart City Forums Series Next Heads to Las Vegas

The forums, run by nonprofit US Ignite, will help cities in their efforts to scale smart urban projects from pilot to enterprise systems.
April 5, 2018

Scooters Are Proof Positive Government, Industry Can Collaborate

The relationship between the public and private mobility sectors will likely continue to evolve as the public gains an increasing affinity for scooters, bikes and other transportation modes.

April 5, 2018

Atlanta Seeks Vendor Ideas Through Smart City RFP

Companies have until mid-April to file proposals with the city of Atlanta to develop a wide-reaching smart cities infrastructure project.

April 3, 2018

Kansas City, Mo., to Share and Receive Rental Car Data

In a partnership with Kansas City, some 5,000 smart, connected Avis rental cars will receive and send data related to parking, general information or events.

April 3, 2018

Denver Talks Up Regional Benefits of Smart Technology

Colorado's Front Range expects its population to grow by more than 1 million in 20 years, making regional, smart mobility solutions an absolute must, say panelists at the annual Smart Cities Connect Conference.
April 2, 2018

MetroLab Network Announces Civic Innovation Challenge

To further the partnership opportunities between cities and universities, the MetroLab Network and National Science Foundation have kicked off a national initiative to innovate complex community challenges.
April 2, 2018

CIO Bill Kehoe Brings His Strategic Vision to L.A. County

In his first few months on the job, Kehoe has been spending his time listening and learning about what it takes to lead an organization serving more than 10.1 million residents.
March 30, 2018

Digital Literacy Is at the Heart of a Thriving Smart City

During the Smart Cities Conference in Kansas City, Mo., earlier this week, thought leaders broke down the issues facing technology deployments and the importance of bringing constituents along for the ride.
March 29, 2018

Florida DOT Ditches Comment Cards for Digital Feedback System

Rather than relying on the age-old comment card, the Department of Transportation is partnering with a digital feedback platform to improve services at rest areas throughout the state.
March 29, 2018

San Francisco Aims to Close the Digital Divide with Citywide Fiber Project

The high-speed network will be a public-private operation and will offer free service to any resident living below the federal poverty line.
March 29, 2018

Chicago, Indianapolis Bet Big on User-Centric Design

Both cities are overhauling digital platforms and installing kiosks to bring intuitive, easy-to-use services to residents and businesses.
March 28, 2018

5G, Tech a Source for Improved Mobility Management

A simple pilot project to ease over-packed trains in Chicago reduced crowding 18 percent by offering riders incentives to travel outside of peak times.

March 28, 2018

Big Data Can Help Solve Big City Problems, but Watch for the Potholes

Panelists at the Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo discuss the many ways cities are using data.

March 28, 2018

Seth Miller Gabriel

Director, Office of Public-Private Partnerships, Washington, D.C.
March 27, 2018

Cities that Fail to Become Smart Could Be the Next Digital Rust Belt

The third annual Smart Cities Connect Conference in Kansas City delivered an important message: become smart or be left behind.
March 26, 2018

Massachusetts Cities Tackle Pedestrian Safety with Data

Cambridge and Somerville are investing in traffic analytics technology to assess how and why pedestrians and cyclists are under increasing risk of an accident on their streets and what can be done to improve safety.

March 23, 2018

Smart Columbus to Open an EV Showroom

Smart city projects, including electric vehicles, to be on display in new Smart Columbus Experience Center in Ohio.

March 22, 2018

How Can Cities Respond to the First Incident of an Autonomous Vehicle Killing a Pedestrian?

An autonomous vehicle-related death in Arizona might lead some in government to pay closer attention to self-driving car testing and development.

March 21, 2018

Orange County, Calif., Looks to Microtransit to Bridge Ridership Gaps

To improve access in areas impacted by bus route reductions, officials are looking at an innovative method of connecting riders with their destinations.
March 19, 2018

Digital Advertising Takes a Useful Turn for Chicago Transit Riders

A public-private collaboration is taking digital advertising screens and adding in pertinent travel information to improve the travel experience for the public.
March 19, 2018

Can Street Sweepers Do More than Just Clean Streets?

Fort Collins, Colo., is experimenting with smart city technology on five of its street sweepers, which send back data related to travel routes, low-hanging limbs or poorly parked cars.

March 18, 2018

Portland, Ore., Trip-Planning App Goes Multimodal

TriMet, the city's public transit system, is pilot-testing a new trip-planning app that partners with Uber, Lyft and other outside transportation providers, giving local travelers a number of mobility options.
March 16, 2018

MTA Names Genius Challenge Winners

Eight winning proposals to upgrade the New York City Subway received nearly $2.5 million in prize money.

March 15, 2018

Atlanta Gets Millions in Grant Funding for New, Tech-Enabled Transit Line

The city of Atlanta and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority were awarded a $12.6 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant to help fund a bus rapid transit route and the technology likely to come with it.

March 14, 2018

StreetLight Data Releases 2018 Highway Traffic Metrics

The metrics, released annually, are considered helpful for municipalities when it comes to actual traffic counts, as well as traveler demographics for particular streets or specific stretches of highway.
March 12, 2018

Growth in Electric Car Ownership Presents Challenges to the Grid

With a significant number of electric cars expected on the road by 2020, power supply researchers say now is the time for strategies that can balance power demands without a costly upgrade to the power grid.
March 8, 2018

Pedestrian Deaths Driven to Highest Number in Three Decades

The Governors Highway Safety Association has estimated that pedestrian deaths on U.S. streets and highways numbered more than 6,200 in 2018, accounting for 16 percent of all traffic-related deaths.

March 8, 2018

Lyft to Test Self-Driving Cars in California

The ride-hailing company will test its self-driving car technology at GoMentum Station, a government-managed proving ground for AVs and the largest of its kind in the country.
March 7, 2018

Distilling Commuter Data: Drilling Down on the Daily Grind

Big data is shedding new light on the time commuters spend going to and from work. The implications of these insights could be far-reaching – from city planning to worker happiness.
March 6, 2018

Utah Looks Ahead with Expanded AV Legislation

A bill in the Utah House would allow for fully autonomous vehicles to operate on highways — without human drivers.
March 2, 2018

Chattanooga Pushes Multimodal to Solve Its Transportation Problems

The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority is launching multiple electric-vehicle charging stations in the region, a solar farm to power them and a car-share service.

February 28, 2018

Austin's Solar-Powered Kiosk Charges Phones, E-Bikes and Cars

The kiosk provides the city with a physical place that showcases how a smart city can assist different modes of transport using clean energy.
February 22, 2018

Georgia Launches Smart Cities Competition Grant Program

Four winning jurisdictions will receive grants to explore issues around mobility, equity and resilience.
February 21, 2018

Washington, D.C., Dips Its Toe into Self-Driving Cars

The city has issued an RFI to test autonomous vehicle technology on a single street that has quickly grown congested with traffic.
February 20, 2018

As Smart Projects Take Shape, Officials See Cleveland’s IoT Collaborative as a Regional Boon

With recently awarded grant funds in hand, the IoT Collaborative is taking aim at making the region smarter and more responsive with the help of two uniquely situated universities.
February 15, 2018

Car Ownership Puts a Dent in SoCal Transit Ridership

Transit ridership across the six-county Los Angeles metro region has been slipping since at least the last 15 years as more residents purchase cars. Experts think a mix of technology, public policy and planning could help the ridership numbers bounce back.
February 13, 2018

Arizona’s Long-Range Transportation Plan Emphasizes Safety, Modernization

Arizona's 25-year highway plan to focus on preservation, safety and modernization.

February 12, 2018

State and Local Governments Welcome Trump Infrastructure Plan, but Worry About Ability to Meet Funding Demands

The White House infrastructure plan would require significant local funding matches.
February 8, 2018

Second Year of Smart Cities Collaborative to Explore Mobility Projects

The intelligent use of rights-of-way is part of a collaborative effort to make cities of all sizes smarter.
February 6, 2018

Dallas Gives Green Light to New Transportation Management System

The city has signed an agreement with Ericsson to overhaul the communications backbone for its traffic signalling network.
February 2, 2018

Columbus Issues RFP for the Operating System to Run its Smart City Systems

The RFP is the first step for the city in finding a partner that can “design, build, test and implement” the “backbone” operating system.
February 2, 2018

Louisville Makes Final Round for Smart Cities Readiness Challenge Grant

The city joins eight other jurisdictions vying for five grants that will support better livability, workability and sustainability.
January 29, 2018

Baltimore Rolls Out Smart Trash Cans

The city will spend $15 million to deploy 4,000 sensor-equipped trash receptacles that will increase collection efficiency.
January 25, 2018

Florida Transit Program Offers Relief for Federal Employees

Workers affected by the now 36-day government shutdown are finding some relief in the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority program that gives them access to free monthly transit passes.

January 23, 2018

NIST Global City Teams Challenge to Focus on IoT Security in Smart Cities

Global City Teams Challenge participants will focus on smart city solutions to common urban issues, with a strong eye toward developing comprehensive security systems to safeguard those projects.

January 18, 2018

Cincinnati Building Fiber Ring, Pursuing Smart City Projects Downtown

Cincinnati is installing more than 20,000 feet of fiber communications in its central business district.
January 17, 2018

Washington’s ‘Living Laboratory’ to Build Out Its Sensor Network

Nine sensors are set to be deployed across the University District in Spokane, Wash., where researchers have been studying air quality in an urban setting.
January 12, 2018

Safety Advocates Say Not So Fast on Driverless Cars

A survey released by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety found widespread unease by drivers with regards to autonomous vehicles.

January 11, 2018

New Louisiana Mayor to Hire City's First Chief Tech Officer

Shreveport, La., is set to hire Keith Hanson as the city's first chief technology officer. The IT leader is a native of the city who started a software development company there eight years ago.
January 10, 2018

Iowa Flood Sensors Wade into Artificial Intelligence

Information from 250 sensors deployed across the state offers local leaders real-time flood forecasts via AI chat bots.
January 4, 2018

Fast Track to Smart: State Approves 3 Vendors for Illinois Cities to Get Smarter Streetlights

Illinois signed a deal with three vendors to make streetlight purchases cheaper and easier for local governments.

January 3, 2018

San Francisco Rolls Out Dynamic Parking Rate Model

San Francisco sets parking rates on its 28,000 meters based on the demand throughout the day — rising during peak times and falling during lulls.

January 2, 2018

Tech Enables Better On-Demand Services for Transit Agencies

Several transit agencies are experimenting with service ideas that will pick you up from home, much like a taxi or ride-share service.

December 21, 2017

2018: Year of the Bus Reboot?

Transit and private-sector officials are staking out bus transit system upgrades next year.

December 19, 2017

USC, Los Angeles IoT Consortium Takes Shape

The USC Marshall School of Business and Viterbi School of Engineering along with the city have formed the Intelligent Internet-of-Things Integrator, otherwise known as the I3 Consortium, in an effort to further collaboration related to IoT project testing and development.

December 15, 2017

Electric Buses Are Gradually Replacing Older Fossil Fuel Models

Albuquerque, N.M., launched its new bus-rapid-transit line with a battery-electric bus, joining a growing movement nationwide to replace diesel or natural gas buses with emissions-free varieties.

December 14, 2017

Military Veteran Takes Top Florida Information Security Job

Thomas Vaughn, who has served in the U.S. Army and Coast Guard, is the Florida Agency for State Technology's (AST) new chief information security officer.
December 12, 2017

Florida City Launches Autonomous Public Shuttle Pilot

Gainesville, Fla., has kicked off a three-year project allowing public access to free autonomous shuttles.
December 6, 2017

Indiana to Consider AV Testing Legislation

Indiana State Rep. Ed Soliday plans to file legislation in the next two weeks to propose a framework for testing autonomous vehicles in the state.

December 1, 2017

San Diego to Cover Half the City with Intelligent Streetlights

San Diego launches an ambitious $30 million smart city project to outfit 3,200 streetlights with sensors.

December 1, 2017

Next-Gen Cities: 3 Jurisdictions Get Smarter

From transportation to digital equity, connected communities like Albuquerque, Columbus and Las Vegas keep citizen needs at the forefront.
November 30, 2017

As Transportation Transforms, Cities Explore Equitable Mobility

Transit systems should continue to think creatively as they develop new systems to attract and retain riders, according to a new report from the National League of Cities.
November 29, 2017

Washington, D.C., CTO Archana Vemulapalli Announces Departure

After two years as chief technology officer in Washington, D.C., Archana Vemulapalli will return to the private sector.
November 28, 2017

Arizona Tech Towns Open to AV Testing on City Streets

Both Tempe and Chandler, Ariz., have become test beds for self-driving car technology.
November 27, 2017

Lexington, Ky., Set to Become a Gigabit City

Officials in Lexington, Ky. are finalizing plans with Internet and cable provider MetroNet to wire the city with high-speed fiber.

November 21, 2017

Are Electric-Hybrid Trucks the Answer to California Port Pollution Problem?

An eHighway test site in California has electric-hybrid trucks connecting to overhead power lines.

November 16, 2017

Cary, N.C., Tests Smart Technology in Its 'Living Lab' City Campus

Cary, N.C., is testing smart parking sensors and other technology on its city hall campus to see how they work on a small scale.
November 9, 2017

Are Ride-Shares and Gas Prices Behind Falling Transit Ridership?

Overall transit ridership in the United States has been in decline since 2014, due in large part to falling gas prices. But the increased use of ride-hailing apps, like Uber and Lyft, is also playing a part.

November 7, 2017

Smart Cities Council Accepting Applications for 2018 Challenge Grants

Five North American cities will be selected as Challenge Grant recipients by the Smart Cities Council, making them eligible for mentoring, products and services.
November 3, 2017

Philadelphia Builds ‘All-In-One’ Property Mapping Tool

A new Web-based property data search tool in Philadelphia will bring zoning, assessment value, 311 reports and more under one application.

November 1, 2017

Contra Costa County Partners with AAA to Boost AV Development

The county's transportation authority has announced an agreement with AAA and Toyota to test self-driving vehicles in California.
October 26, 2017

Public Transit Benefits When Buses, Riders Are Connected

Valley Regional Transit in Boise, Idaho, has taken steps to improve its communications infrastructure, which has led to more on-time arrivals and perks for riders.

October 20, 2017

Portland's Popular Bike Map Goes Digital

The new online version is interactive, alerting bikers to dangerous intersections and other features.

October 18, 2017

Washington, D.C.'s Bike-Sharing Goes Dockless and Electric

The nation's capital has become a test bed for the next-generation bike-sharing program, in which riders can find a bike to rent using an app and have it powered by an electric motor.

October 12, 2017

L.A. Has a Streetlight That Can Charge Your Car

A city streetlight pilot program is packing a lamp with technology to aid communications, as well as charging ports for phones and cars.
October 11, 2017

California Proposes Update to AV Testing Regulations

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has put forth new regulations that would allow for less restrictive testing and deployment of fully autonomous vehicles.
October 10, 2017

Denver South Sees Smart City Potential with Newly Formed Alliance

The Colorado Smart Cities Alliance aims to bolster technology industries and partnerships in the Denver metro region.

October 5, 2017

Sensor Network Boosts Efficiencies at Cincinnati International

The Cincinnati International Airport installed a network of sensors, software and other equipment to help reduce security wait times, and it's getting positive results.
October 4, 2017

Smart Cities Week Conference to Focus on Infrastructure

The Smart Cities Week conference runs through Oct. 5 in Washington D.C.

October 4, 2017

National Governors Association Forms Tech Division

Timothy Blute is heading up NGA Future, a new initiative by the National Governors Association to explore how technology can be used throughout state government.
October 3, 2017

Self-Driving Cars Raising Big Questions Around Drunk Driving, Seat Belts, Open Container Laws and More

Autonomous vehicle technology was a key topic of discussion at the 50th annual meeting of the Governors Highway Safety Association.
September 29, 2017

Atlanta Summit Raises Fresh Questions Around Smart Transit

The ConnectATL summit last week united elected, public and business officials discussing the future of transit, transportation and planning in the region.
September 18, 2017

Why Leading Smart Cities Are Often Bike-Friendly Cities

The International Cycling Safety Conference in Davis, Calif., will explore how data from vehicles, smart and connected devices or sensors and other objects in the urban landscape can work to serve the needs and safety of cyclists.
September 15, 2017

Smart Cities Strategic Plan Begins to Take Shape in Henderson, Nev.

City officials want to explore "smart cities" projects as a means of improving the overall quality of life, while trying to avoid technology for technology's sake.
September 12, 2017

Why Small and Mid-Size Municipalities Don't Fear Smart City Tech

Tech companies stress the notion that the market today is strong at the mid-size and small city levels.
September 8, 2017

Cities Across the Country to Host Electric-Car Events

National Drive Electric Week launches hundreds of events nationwide Sept. 9 to 17.
September 7, 2017

State and Local Officials Respond to Federal Self-Driving Car Legislation

New legislation related to self-driving cars will likely reaffirm the federal government's role in regulating the safety of autonomous vehicles.

September 6, 2017

Ready. Set. Go! Luxury Cars Count Down to Green Lights

Audi's Traffic Light Information system available in Las Vegas and other U.S. cities.
September 1, 2017

Autonomous Vehicle Technology Will Create Winners and Losers in Transport Industries

Nationwide, some 3.8 million workers filled jobs like trucking, delivery or taxi industries in 2015. And these jobs could be impacted by self-driving technology, according to a U.S. Commerce Department study.
August 29, 2017

Small Cities Go 'Smart' by Developing More Direct Relationships with Residents

A survey released earlier this year looks at how smart cities projects are developing in smaller jurisdictions nationwide.
August 23, 2017

Battery-Powered Electric Bus Route in Stockton, Calif., a National First

The San Joaquin Regional Transit District in California has launched the country's first battery-powered electric bus route.

August 22, 2017

More States Explore Truck-Platooning Technology and Regulations

States like New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Nevada are all open to continuing research in truck-platooning.

August 21, 2017

Colorado DOT Launches Autonomous Vehicles to Improve Worker Safety

The Colorado Department of Transportation will use a self-driving Autonomous Impact Protection Vehicle (AIPV), as a barrier to protect highway workers.

August 18, 2017

Smart City Competition Seeks Startups, Companies with Eye on Public Sector

The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) and the Smart City Works Actuator are seeking applications from entrepreneurs, startups and companies with emerging products that are designed to make cities smarter, more livable and more resilient.

August 16, 2017

Tampa Bay, Fla., Seeks Toll-Road Drivers to Volunteer for Its Connected Vehicle Study

The city is looking for 1,600 private vehicle volunteers for pilot program to measure safety features along the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway.
August 15, 2017

Car Crash Reporting Guidelines Prepare for Self-Driving Vehicles

The Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria's latest edition has new instructions for reporting the emerging sector of autonomous vehicles.

August 11, 2017

City, ISP to Learn from No-Cost Smart Project in Small Mississippi Jurisdiction

The hope is that the two-month test of smart city tech is successful and can be made available to other cities in the state.
August 10, 2017

4 Jurisdictions Craft Scalable Smart Solutions for Water Quality, Flooding, Air Pollution, Public Safety

Bellevue, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; Newport News, Va.; and Montgomery County, Md., use their Global City Teams Challenge grant awards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to come up with smart tech systems that can be easily replicated.
August 8, 2017

Columbus, Ohio, to Launch Incentive Program for EV Charging Port Installation

Smart Columbus is getting serious about promoting electric vehicle use, starting with encouraging more charging locations.
August 7, 2017

Army of Air-Quality Sensors to Offer Lafayette, La., and Baltimore Glimpses of Ozone, Humidity Levels

The monitoring programs are part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Smart City Air Challenge — a 2016 competitive grant program that made $40,000 available to each community.

August 4, 2017

10 Cities Taking a Nature-Driven Approach to Innovation

Smart Cities Guru founder Anil Ahuja has compiled a list of the top U.S. cities — from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles — that have found a way to combine technology and nature.
August 2, 2017

How Kansas City, Mo., Is Snuffing Out Potholes Before They Appear

Public works and IT officials use traffic and other data to predict where the next pothole will form — allowing it to repair or resurface 35 to 45 miles of streets per year versus the previous 20 to 25 miles.
July 31, 2017

Smart City Tech Experts Gather in Kansas City for Annual Gigabit Summit

Third annual Gigabit City Summit is set to attract some 300 to 350 attendees ranging from public-sector CIOs, to entrepreneurs, to tech professionals in the private sector.

July 28, 2017

Montgomery County, Va., Pilots Smart Bullet-Proof Vests that Contact 911 When an Officer is Injured

The sheriff's department has attached sensors to its officers' body armor that alert command officials and emergency services if an officer in the field is injured.

February 1, 2017

Dallas Innovation Alliance Accelerates Smart City Projects

The Smart Cities Living Lab is a test bed for numerous smart technologies in downtown Dallas that has become a mecca for tourism and the arts.
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