Smart cities: Can we afford them?

Tech and infrastructure advancements won’t come cheap to most cities. Many decisions will boil down to how fast do we want to do this, and where do we want to start?

By Todd Thibodeaux • July 18, 2018

Lyft outlines plans, incentives for bike- and scooter-sharing

One of the most significant ways Lyft's bike and scooter plan could interest municipal leaders is in the cooperation with and promotion of mass transit.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 17, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

San Francisco may nix free bike-share program funding due to Lyft connection

Lyft recently bought Motivate, the company that runs the city's bike-share program, prompting board members to consider rejecting the funding because it would entail taxpayer money going to Lyft.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 17, 2018

Seattle approves new bike-share regulations, prompting ofo exit

The unanimously passed legislation will allow a total of 20,000 bikes to operate in the city — but will cost each permit holder $250,000. 

By Kristin Musulin , Jason Plautz • Updated July 31, 2018

Nashville, TN transit authority undergoes rebranding

The city says the fresh look and name — WeGo Public Transit — was in the works long before the recent transit plan debate heated up.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 16, 2018

Dallas deploys electric bus fleet

It joins several other cities in electrifying its bus fleet, even with a higher cost of vehicles and construction of charging infrastructure.

By Jason Plautz • July 13, 2018

Uber lays off AV testers in Pittsburgh, San Francisco

Some might view these layoffs and Uber's widespread scale-back as an indication that it intends to shut down its AV sector altogether.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 13, 2018

Ofo calls it quits in Chicago as city's dockless bike-share pilot expands

It all comes down to a city requirement about bike locking.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 12, 2018

UK to push for electric car charges in all new homes

The strategy is a step in the U.K.’s plan to clean up its car fleet, with the ultimate goal of stopping sales of conventional fuel vehicles by 2040. 

By Jason Plautz • July 12, 2018

Nation’s first electric double-decker buses arriving in Los Angeles

The Foothill Transit agency will add two buses next year for its downtown commuter line as part of an initiative to be fully electric by 2030.

By Chris Teale • July 12, 2018

Warner Bros. proposes building an aerial tram in Los Angeles

If logistics are deemed feasible, it likely will be difficult for city leaders to turn down a project that would create a new mobility option at no cost to taxpayers.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 11, 2018

Waze, Esri expand partnership to provide real-time road data to cities

The data will be available in Esri’s ArcGIS Marketplace, which allows cities to use it without purchasing additional software or writing code.

By Jason Plautz • July 11, 2018

For World Cup host cities, a boon or a boondoggle?

As the U.S. prepares for the 2026 edition alongside Canada and Mexico, those in the running to stage games emphasize existing infrastructure and partnerships.

By Chris Teale • July 11, 2018

10 times fiction predicted smart city advancements

From data analytics to hyperloop and cutting-edge transportation methods, many smart city concepts aren't entirely original ideas.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 10, 2018

Lime announces Uber as 'strategic partner' of scooter operations

The ride-share company will invest in Lime as part of the partnership, which comes less than a week after rival Lyft invested in bike-share provider Motivate.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 10, 2018

EVs could drive 38% rise in US electricity demand, DOE lab finds

Increasing demand could lead to sustained absolute growth of 80 terawatt-hours per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

By Robert Walton • July 10, 2018

AV learns to drive in just 20 minutes using unique algorithm

Cambridge, England-based Wayve used machine-learning through its safety driver, correcting mistakes to teach its AV how to keep on course.

By Chris Teale • July 9, 2018

Is the self-driving bike the vehicle of the future?

A professor at the University of Washington Bothell is outfitting recumbent tricycles with computer systems and electronics. 

By Jason Plautz • July 9, 2018

Portland, OR opens applications for dockless scooter pilot

The city will focus its pilot on an underserved area of the community, which could serve as a guide for other cities wishing to increase equitable mobility solutions. 

By Katie Pyzyk • July 9, 2018

Autonomous shuttles coming soon to Columbus, OH

Shuttles will roll out in a stretch of downtown, per a just-released RFP, with testing and evaluation combined with educating the public about the new option.

By Chris Teale • July 6, 2018

Uber applies for patent to boost navigation safety

The technology would analyze factors including street conditions, crime and drivers' vehicle model, but could be controversial if granted.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 5, 2018

Coronado, CA to begin recycling impounded dockless bikes

The bikes have been labeled a public nuisance by the city, which says Mobike and ofo have largely been paying fines and storage fees, but Lime has not.

By Jason Plautz • July 5, 2018

Remember the little guy: The complicated challenges of user-centered transportation

Several problems exist including mode-centric data, while potential solutions are not easy and will require the breaking-down of silos.

By David D'Silva • July 5, 2018

Lyft's Motivate acquisition part of industry-wide move toward integrated transit options

The ride-hailing app wants to provide options across different modes of transportation, as does competitor Uber, which also announced similar partnerships this year.

By Chris Teale • July 5, 2018

NYC considers minimum wage for ride-share drivers

A report suggests a $15-per-hour minimum pay for those who drive for the likes of Uber and Lyft, with both companies concerned at possible hikes.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 3, 2018