The Smart Cities Dive Awards for 2019

From Sidewalk Labs' disruptive, futuristic smart city to the climate strategy in Calgary, Alberta, these are the leading cities, officials and initiatives of the year.

Dec. 9, 2019

What I wish I’d said to California’s chief air regulator about clean transportation

Will flexible demand-side resources ever be able to participate in power markets in the same way as supply-side resources? That's the question before Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols — and all of us.

By David Farnsworth • Dec. 6, 2019

May Mobility finds 'sweet spot' for autonomous shuttle success

The TaaS provider closed a $50 million funding round led by Toyota, marking growth and expansion at a time when competitors are struggling.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 6, 2019

NYC launches commercial cargo bike pilot to reduce congestion

City officials hope the program, which includes Amazon, DHL and UPS, will also boost air quality and pedestrian safety. Logistics companies say it will be easier to find parking.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 5, 2019

Lime, Bird, Bolt, Razor lose appeals to operate in DC

The operators will pull their scooters from the District on April 1. Scooters from Lyft, Skip, Spin and Jump will remain in the city under 2020 program terms.

By Cailin Crowe • Updated Feb. 28, 2020

Ford to end GoRide Health transportation service

The service will end in the five cities where it operated, and a new pilot will begin in Miami and in cities where Ford plans to deploy autonomous vehicles. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 5, 2019

LA wants to reach 30% EVs on roads by 2028 Olympics

Local government and private partners released the Zero Emissions 2028 Roadmap 2.0 to accelerate the use of electric vehicles and clean transit.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 3, 2019

Lyft recycles e-bikes pulled from NYC for Chicago network

Hundreds of e-bikes pulled form the Citi Bike system over a braking issue were stripped of their electronic parts and integrated into Chicago's Divvy fleet. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 2, 2019

NYC council members propose bike mayor, pedestrian mayor

The proposed leadership comes during a difficult year for cycling and pedestrian safety, as the city has already seen 28 cyclist fatalities.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 27, 2019

Denver B-cycle to fold after nearly 10 years

Denver Bike Sharing decided not to renew the contract for its bike-share program, citing an "aging system" that is "not financially viable" to replace.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 26, 2019

Uber wins appeal to resume services in London

The company was granted an 18-month license to resume its services in the city after losing its license in November 2019 due to "historical failings."

By Jason Plautz , Kristin Musulin • Updated Sept. 28, 2020

San Francisco considers congestion pricing — again

The San Francisco County Transportation Authority began a study period for a new tolling scheme, joining the likes of LA and Seattle in congestion pricing studies. 

By Chris Teale • Nov. 25, 2019

Chandler, AZ designs first AV pick-up, drop-off zone guidelines in US

The city has designated AV spots in front of City Hall, encouraging businesses and developers to use more autonomous transport and reduce traditional parking spaces.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 25, 2019

Are flying cars close? Leaders say yes, but doubts linger

While uncertainty swirls around issues of infrastructure, safety and regulations, industry leaders say eVTOLs are on track to launch soon.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 25, 2019

Uber rolls out ride audio recording in response to safety concerns

The feature would help investigate safety incidents in the U.S., having been trialed in Brazil and Mexico for the past couple of weeks.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 22, 2019

Electric trucks may be the future, but waste and recycling market still charging up

Looking to move away from diesel and meet climate goals, a growing number of service providers are testing out models from coast to coast. 

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Nov. 22, 2019

MIT spinoff startup designs scooters with 10x longer lifespan

Superpedestrian announced $20 million in financing for a new scooter fleet with safety software that will protect against common malfunctions ahead of a January rollout.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 20, 2019

Mobility company OjO to acquire Gotcha, could challenge Lime and Bird

The acquisition will expand the company's market reach and points to what many predict will be a micromobility consolidation trend. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 20, 2019

Uber AV safety driver charged with negligent homicide in fatal 2018 crash

A Maricopa County, AZ grand jury indicted Rafaela Vasquez, who pleaded not guilty in Superior Court. A pretrial conference in the case is set for late October.

By Chris Teale • Updated Sept. 16, 2020

Meeting Paris goals will require EV innovation: MIT report

The study also found that a future with more accessible AVs could increase congestion and reduce public transit ridership without policy intervention. 

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 19, 2019

It's time to rethink how we move around our cities

"To have any shot at addressing the climate crisis, we need solutions that will curtail transportation pollution and move us toward a carbon-free economy." 

By Andrew Savage • Nov. 19, 2019

Lyft adds 200 EVs to Denver rental program

EV-friendly governmental actions prompted the deployment in the city, which the company said is one of the largest in the country. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 18, 2019

Parsons names 10 Smart Cities Challenge semifinalists

The company will name the Transforming Intersections contest winner in April, helping the finalist get an intersection solution pilot program up and running.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 18, 2019

CoMotion LA: Congestion pricing could help equity, climate efforts

Congestion pricing could fund free transit, according to LA Metro CEO Phil Washington, which he said is a "lofty goal," but still a beneficial one to pursue. 

By Chris Teale • Nov. 18, 2019

CoMotion LA: ‘No one has the answer’ to a perfect partnership

Risk-averse city halls need a culture shift and private businesses must also be willing to act agreeably, speakers said.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 15, 2019