Tech & Data

Drones and delivery trucks could collaborate, but regulatory hurdles remain

Using drones and trucks for a hybrid delivery system can leverage the best elements of both modes within a shipper's network, according to a recent MIT research paper. 

By Morgan Forde • May 29, 2020

North Texas Innovation Alliance to foster collaborative regional growth

The new nonprofit will bring together 21 founding members including 12 Texas cities to help tackle issues like infrastructure, equity and transportation. 

By Chris Teale • May 29, 2020

Amazon in talks to buy AV startup Zoox: WSJ

The acquisition would value Zoox at less than its 2018 valuation of $3.2 billion, according to an exclusive report from The Wall Street Journal.

By Kristin Musulin • May 28, 2020

Opinion

How voice apps can support utility customers amid COVID-19

Voice apps offer a unique platform for consumer engagement by meeting customers where they are now — and where they're likely to remain for the foreseeable future.

By Laura Frantz • May 28, 2020

Columbus, OH exceeds EV adoption goal

Local residents have purchased more than 3,300 electric vehicles over the past three years as part of its $10 million Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 27, 2020

Deep Dive

Stay-at-home orders shine light on 'amplified' digital divide

Just as the Great Depression highlighted a need for ubiquitous electricity, advocates are urging leaders to seize COVID-19 as a turning point for ubiquitous internet.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

Telecoms pledge to push 5G despite coronavirus setbacks

Pandemic limitations have stretched out infrastructure approval processes, leading to expected delays in network availability. Regardless, telecoms have "no intention of slowing down" on 5G.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

Deep Dive

The 'new normal': City sectors confront post-coronavirus realities

With costs of the pandemic coming into focus as recovery efforts persist, Smart Cities Dive analyzed how leaders across various departments can use lessons from the COVID-19 crisis to rebuild.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

Smart projects not a priority for most government CIOs, CTOs: report

CompTIA's Public Technology Institute found that even before the pandemic, only 25% of city and county leaders surveyed had a smart strategy in place.

By Chris Teale • May 22, 2020

Rubicon report cites $208M potential savings for cities using smart waste platform

The smart waste and recycling tech company played up its municipal offerings and emphasized the "waste wake-up call" many cities are facing post-China's scrap import ban. 

By Cole Rosengren • May 22, 2020

In second health crisis of his tenure, Revere, MA's mayor taps new tech

Mayor Brian Arrigo's administration, which oversaw the worst of the opioid epidemic, now faces another health crisis: COVID-19. This time, they brought in Soofa to aid residents through the newest scourge.

By Kristin Musulin • May 22, 2020

Populus unveils mobility data sharing guide for cities

The guide aims to help cities and operators "very clearly articulate" which types of data are needed for various transportation policies and goals.

By Kristin Musulin • May 22, 2020

Are drones more energy efficient than delivery vans?

Gartner estimates drone fleets could reduce operation costs by 70% due to faster delivery times, but other research indicates drone operations, at scale, could be up to 10 times less energy efficient than vans.

By Morgan Forde • May 21, 2020

Opinion

Entering the age of community-built infrastructure

A public-private partnership backed by a program management office — or a P4 — can help cities achieve infrastructure and inclusion goals by integrating the perspective of community stakeholders.

By Lauren Gore • May 21, 2020

Poll: 3 in 4 Americans say AV tech 'not ready for primetime'

Partners for Automated Vehicle Education found 48% of Americans said they would "never" get in an AV, although 58% think they will be safe in 10 years.

By Chris Teale • May 21, 2020

Tortoise, GoX pilot world's first teleoperated scooters

The six-month pilot in Peachtree Corners, GA will test a fleet of e-scooters equipped with tech that enables remote-controlled "repositioning" of the devices without a rider. 

By Kristin Musulin • May 20, 2020

LA Metro replaces agency-built app with Transit

The partnership is expected to save LA Metro $240,000 annually in app maintenance and development costs, while offering features to improve rider experiences.

By Kristin Musulin • May 20, 2020

Uber cuts 3,000 more employees amid month of shakeups

In the last two weeks, Uber has shed 6,700 employees and 45 offices — yet its recent investment in Lime and potential merger with GrubHub signal hope for the company.  

By Cailin Crowe • May 19, 2020

Snohomish County, WA taps voice tech to aid economic recovery

In the United States' "ground zero" of COVID-19, this county is blazing a trail in effective communications with residents and businesses.

By Kristin Musulin • May 19, 2020

40% of Baltimore households lack wired internet access: report

The Abell Foundation found 73.3% of White households have access while 50.2% of Black and 46.4% of Hispanic households have the same.

By Chris Teale • May 18, 2020

Las Vegas, NTT expand Accelerate Smart project

Since 2018, the project has provided the city with data analytics and tech to better understand roadways and driver behaviors, and develop stronger government solutions.

By Kristin Musulin • May 18, 2020

5 cities with the highest, lowest 2020 census response rates

A new study from SmartAsset found many Western cities sit at the top of the list, while Northeast powerhouses struggle to keep up.

By Kristin Musulin • May 15, 2020

Local, federal governments fail to cooperate on drone policy: report

New research from the Mineta Transportation Institute revealed a reluctance to establish drone regulations locally due to concerns they will be "preempted by federal supremacy in court."

By Cailin Crowe • May 14, 2020

Deep Dive

New era of city workforce development implores virtual strategies

Experts say recovering from the economic destruction of the COVID-19 pandemic will require a new, tech-forward approach to regional hiring and workforce development.

By Kristin Musulin • May 14, 2020

Opinion

The return to 'normal' requires acceptance of emerging tech

Returning to a familiar world of human interaction will take time. It will also take a willingness to modify expectations of physical and digital privacy.

By Betsy Plattenburg • May 13, 2020