Contact tracing is key for smart transit and smarter cities

Mobility is the lifeblood of the economy, and getting people moving again is essential. Leveraging digital platforms and infrastructure to sense people’s locations makes this possible.

By Paulo Ferreira dos Santos & Carlos Lei • July 8, 2020

Uber buys Postmates in $2.65B deal

The all-stock acquisition may help to carry Uber through the economic uncertainty of the coronavirus crisis. 

By Julie Littman , Emma Liem Beckett • July 7, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Smart Cities Technology and Data

Cities are increasingly looking to technology and data to address real-world issues from traffic safety to law enforcement.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Knoxville, TN data published online after ransomware attack

Hackers published information and data in a bid to extract a ransom payment and "shame victims," a city spokeswoman told Smart Cities Dive.

By Chris Teale • July 7, 2020

Virus vs. voting: Behind the high-risk presidential primary elections

As November's election showdown looms, officials nationwide are scrambling to preserve voter rights while minimizing coronavirus transmission.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 6, 2020

Boston is second-largest US city to ban facial recognition

Mayor Marty Walsh signed the ban amid a national debate around police reform, which has included a reckoning on the potential inequities of facial recognition tech.

By Jason Plautz • July 6, 2020

LA, Chicago tap social media to refine mask guidance

In a webinar hosted by Zencity, chief leaders from Chicago and Los Angeles detailed how social media has played a role in communicating and improving face mask guidance.

By Kristin Musulin • July 2, 2020

Coord to pilot 'smart zones' in 4 cities

Aspen, CO; Omaha, NE; Nashville, TN and West Palm Beach, FL will participate in the inaugural Digital Curb Challenge to optimize delivery and loading zones while reducing congestion.

By Kristin Musulin • July 1, 2020

Connecticut DOT to run first automated transit bus in US

CTDOT received a $2 million grant to deploy the program along a 9-mile transit corridor, including three 40-foot battery electric heavy-duty buses. 

By Cailin Crowe • June 30, 2020

Via, St. Louis Metro partner for on-demand service

Via Metro STL marks the city's first on-demand service offering to bolster public transit use, especially as the city slowly relaxes stay-at-home orders. 

By Kristin Musulin • June 30, 2020

4 cities win smart intersection challenge to reduce congestion

Austin, TX will use Parsons' intelligent intersection software to retime traffic signals, potentially leading to a 40% reduction in congestion.

By Cailin Crowe • June 29, 2020

BLM advocates slam ‘ironic’ protest surveillance in 15 cities

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol confirmed its surveillance of Black Lives Matter protests across the country. Now, advocates want to know how the 270 hours of footage will be used.

By Kristin Musulin • June 25, 2020

Denver's traffic crossings to get an AI makeover

Technology from IoT company Boulder AI will use speed vectors to track pedestrians in an intersection and change crosswalk times as needed.

By Chris Teale • June 25, 2020

St. Louis to add 1,400 tech jobs with AFS Advanced Technology Center

Accenture Federal Services' new tech center will open later this year, at a time when Missouri is grappling with a 13.3% statewide unemployment rate.

By Cailin Crowe • June 24, 2020

$9M grant readies I-70 for autonomous trucks, platooning

The grant indicates federal and state governments are looking at testing the technology out on crucial routes. But, in some limited cases, driverless technology is ready to deploy now. 

By Jim Stinson • June 23, 2020

New York Power Authority, Signify upgrade 500K streetlights statewide

The partnership supports the Smart Street Lighting NY initiative, which looks to add LED lights and connect streetlights through IoT technology.

By Chris Teale • June 23, 2020

Accelerator for America distributes $750K in COVID-19 aid

The program will help to set up a direct financial assistance program for residents across 10 U.S. jurisdictions, including Atlanta, Salt Lake City, and the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

By Cailin Crowe • June 23, 2020

Smart city groups reshape networking norms with virtual events

The coronavirus pandemic has forced major events to go virtual, creating a host of new, inclusive standards for industry events and information sharing. 

By Cailin Crowe • June 22, 2020

Data analytics key to strengthening COVID-19 response

As lives and property are threatened in this evolving health crisis, data is a constant that represents absolute truth, which only analytics can illuminate.  

By Jack Williams • June 22, 2020

Uber enters first SaaS partnership in Marin County, CA

Starting July 1, an integration of Marin Transit's services and the Transportation Authority of Marin's discounts will be available via the Uber app.

By Kristin Musulin • June 19, 2020

NYC requires more transparency on police use of surveillance tech

The POST Act requires the New York City Police Department to disclose the technology it uses, how it protects privacy and any disparate impacts on marginalized communities.

By Chris Teale • June 19, 2020

5 cities with the highest tech salaries

Hired’s annual salary reports are typically reliable predictors of the tech trends and salaries to come in the next year — but due to the coronavirus, these figures are all subject to change. 

By Cailin Crowe • June 18, 2020

5 focal points needed to develop a smart city

Given the pace at which new technology is overtaking social infrastructure, cities must "up their game" with a greater sense of focus and urgency. 

By Clint Vince and Jennifer Morrissey • June 18, 2020

The importance of GIS technology within a smart city framework

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Geographic...

By Michael Baker • June 17, 2020

Santa Monica, CA to pilot zero emissions delivery zone

Local leaders said the pilot program in the city's downtown commercial core will help them achieve ambitious emissions goals by 2028.

By Chris Teale • June 17, 2020

Cleantech incubator Greentown Labs expands to Houston

The incubator will offer testing space to early stage, climate-focused companies in an effort to make Houston the "energy transition capital of the world." 

By Chris Teale • June 17, 2020