New York’s first cyber strategy gives local governments a security road map

The statewide strategy follows previous steps to enhance local cybersecurity and protect critical infrastructure across New York.

By David Jones • Aug. 11, 2023

More GM electric vehicles will be able to charge homes in coming years

The bidirectional charging technology uses a GM vehicle’s battery as a backup power source in the event of a power outage.

By Eric Walz • Aug. 10, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Smart Cities Technology and Data

Local governments are increasingly turning to predictive analytics and other technologies to solve real-world problems like homelessness and preparing for an AI-driven future.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure are growing, New York state official warns

Governments at all levels and the private sector must work collaboratively to combat increasingly sophisticated threat activity, New York Cyber Lead Colin Ahern said.

By David Jones • July 26, 2023

Keeping customers happy: How cities are using technology to put residents first

Read how four cities are embracing technology to improve their waste management processes.

July 24, 2023

Cities turn to cameras to cut traffic deaths

Cameras and other sensors that detect speeding and red-light running are helping to cut deaths and injuries, but the technology comes with a checkered past and concerns about privacy and equity.

By Dan Zukowski • July 18, 2023

Two new U.S. cities, 14 returners recognized for data-driven governance

Carlsbad, California, and Charleston, South Carolina, were newly certified, while seven cities moved up a tier.

By Gaby Galvin • July 17, 2023

The 5 smart-city priorities in San Antonio’s new road map

The smart cities team used a lengthy process of community input to identify the priorities for innovative applications of data and technology. Creating community buy-in is essential, the team leaders say.

By Joan Mooney • July 14, 2023

4 key challenges facing public sector cybersecurity

The third annual Government Security Solutions Forum will be addressing current concerns on how best to counter today’s threats and build a more robust security program for tomorrow.

June 20, 2023

Houston made city finance data available to everyone. Here’s what happened next.

Taxpayers have a right to know how their dollars are spent, and citizens are using the data to better participate in budget workshops, said Will Jones, Houston’s chief business officer and director of finance.

By Michael Brady • June 14, 2023

Dallas in the homestretch of ransomware attack recovery

Security operations and tools are also getting a refresh as city officials rebuild impacted systems and make upgrades across multiple departments.

By Matt Kapko • June 8, 2023

California autonomous vehicle bill advances as legislators worry about heavy-duty truck safety

If the proposed law passes, a human operator could need to be onboard heavy-duty, autonomous trucks in the Golden State until at least Jan. 1, 2029.

By David Taube • June 7, 2023

How Panasonic is working on connected-vehicle technology in three states

The Panasonic Smart Mobility office's goal for these real-world projects is to demonstrate the use of vehicle-to-everything technologies at scale and help prepare cities and states for the rollout of connected vehicles.

By Dan Zukowski • June 5, 2023

Wildfire ‘smelling sensors’ could help first responders protect at-risk communities

A new initiative in Oakland, California, is part of a larger Homeland Security Department effort to understand the potential of environmental sensors.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 1, 2023

Robotaxi companies are expanding existing operations — and coming soon to new cities

Despite pushback from the city of San Francisco, two companies received approval to operate driverless ride-hailing vehicles for paying passengers anywhere in the city at any time. 

By Dan Zukowski • June 1, 2023

Ransomware group messes with Texas

A trio of ransomware attacks targeting the Dallas metro area have the hallmarks of a targeted campaign. They also underscore a very real problem: society is becoming desensitized to disruption.

By Matt Kapko • May 30, 2023

How AI can advance, harm transportation equity

“Responsible AI” is critical because “AI has the potential to either exacerbate or alleviate existing biases and discrimination in transportation,” one researcher said during a Transportation Research Board webinar.

By Kalena Thomhave • May 29, 2023

Greenhouse gas emissions tracking project addresses ‘flawed’ approach cities use now, researchers say

City Climate Intelligence can provide free, near-real-time information on greenhouse gas emissions at the city, neighborhood, building and street level.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 26, 2023

Shared micromobility companies recommended model regulations. Here’s what they didn’t mention.

Bird, Lime, Spin and Superpedestrian’s recommendations largely leave out safety, infrastructure and community engagement concerns, researchers and micromobility consultants said.

By Michael Brady • May 26, 2023

Why cities are investing in government-run gig work platforms

Long Beach, California, was the first U.S. city to launch its own gig-work platform. Now others are considering following suit.

By Gaby Galvin • May 24, 2023

Collecting data to support energy-burdened communities poses unique challenges, experts say

Census data isn’t collected often enough to reflect neighborhood demographic shifts, and asking communities to self-report can present additional burdens, panelists said at a clean energy summit.

By Diana DiGangi • May 24, 2023

Salary ranges are growing in tech hub job postings, Indeed finds

California and Washington were home to seven of the top 10 areas with the largest one-year salary range increases, the employment website found. Both states have large technology talent hubs, including San Francisco and Seattle.

By Roberto Torres • May 23, 2023

Dallas under pressure as Royal ransomware group threatens leak

By listing Dallas on its leak site on the dark web, Royal rebutted the city’s claims that data was not compromised during the attack.

By Matt Kapko • May 22, 2023

Dallas courts still closed 2 weeks post-ransomware attack

Continued outages also prevent police from accessing data, severely impacting efforts to reduce crime as summer approaches, Police Chief Eddie Garcia said.

By Matt Kapko • May 18, 2023

How NYC is preparing its infrastructure for extreme weather

Thu-Loan Dinh, who helps lead infrastructure design for the city’s Department of Design and Construction, discusses the agency’s biggest resilience concerns and how to address them.

By Julie Strupp • May 17, 2023

NREL energy audit tool may help cities meet climate, building decarbonization goals

Local governments often lack the staff and resources to conduct energy audits on thousands of buildings, an engineer at the National Renewable Energy Lab said, but technology can help overcome those challenges.

By Joe Burns • May 16, 2023