Tech & Data

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    Permission granted by Oracle
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    Sponsored by Oracle

    Technologies transforming public safety

    Learn how modern public safety technology solutions are helping police and law enforcement serve, protect, and engage communities.

    By Shane Ruiz • Nov. 18, 2024
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    Laurence Dutton via Getty Images
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    Google, NLC issue AI guide for city leaders

    The digital divide that has plagued cities could turn into an “AI divide” as some local governments experiment with the technologies while others lack access, said a Google executive.

    By • Nov. 14, 2024
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    NanoStockk/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    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
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    How ‘floating car data’ can help cities tackle traffic

    Smart city technology can save transportation agencies money and inform conversations with the public, says a white paper by consulting firm Frost & Sullivan.

    By • Nov. 7, 2024
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    Sundry Photography via Getty Images
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    People are skeptical of robotaxis — until they use one: JD Power

    Fear about autonomous driving technology tends to subside after a person experiences it for themselves, an October J.D. Power study found.

    By Kalena Thomhave • Nov. 5, 2024
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Heat mapping program opens 2025 applications, offering financial and technical support

    Applications for the Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring program are due in January, but communities that express interest by Nov. 15 can get paired up with a mentor community.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
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    mountainberryphoto via Getty Images
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    New York unveils daily wildfire risk map

    As dry weather fuels brush fires in the state, officials and researchers launched a data tool they say will get critical information to the public and firefighters more quickly.

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
  • Two people prepare to enter a Waymo ride-haling vehicle in San Francisco.
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    Courtesy of Waymo
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    Robotaxi company Waymo raises $5.6B to expand operations

    The company plans to use the money to bring its “Waymo One” commercial ride-hailing service to more U.S. cities.

    By Eric Walz • Oct. 29, 2024
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    simonkr via Getty Images
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    Philadelphia bans rent-setting software, joining San Francisco

    The software lets residential landlords indirectly coordinate, raising rents, lowering occupancy rates and increasing evictions, lawmakers say. San Francisco’s ban is in effect, while Philadelphia’s awaits the mayor’s signature.

    By Mary Salmonsen • Updated Oct. 30, 2024
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    Courtesy of Serve Robotics
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    Serve Robotics debuts faster, larger delivery robots to be deployed in 2 cities

    The sidewalk robots, which are outfitted with new safety measures, will hit the streets in coming months as part of Serve's deal with Uber Eats.

    By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 16, 2024
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    Vyacheslav Dumchev/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Eviction data is lacking. Here’s how local governments can help.

    Local leaders need to understand the magnitude of the housing crisis in their area to act on it, a Princeton Eviction Lab representative says.

    By Camila Vallejo • Oct. 14, 2024
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    Courtesy of Tesla Motors
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    Tesla promises driverless robotaxi by 2027

    CEO Elon Musk also announced that fully autonomous versions of Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y vehicles would begin driverless tests in California and Texas next year.

    By • Oct. 11, 2024
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    Courtesy of Avride
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    Uber inks deal to bring delivery robots, robotaxis to several cities

    To start, Uber Eats will deliver orders with Avride’s sidewalk robots in Austin, Texas, before expanding to two other cities. 

    By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 8, 2024
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    deberarr via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by RUBICONSmartCity, now part of Routeware

    How AI is helping cities drive improvements in infrastructure and citizen satisfaction

    Equipping vehicles to look for critical infrastructure and quality-of-life issues that can plague communities helps city partners deliver proactive government and equitable public service across all zip codes.

    Oct. 7, 2024
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    Permission granted by Dahlia Katz
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    A hit show on Toronto’s failed smart city project returns to the stage

    The award-winning play, “The Master Plan,” dramatizes the city’s fractured relationship with then-Google subsidiary Sidewalk Labs.

    By David Silverberg • Oct. 3, 2024
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    benedek via Getty Images
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    What’s the value of a city’s nature? San Antonio pilots tool to find out.

    Designed by a Stanford University-based group, the tool shows how land use changes could impact carbon sequestration, urban cooling and residents’ access to nature. More cities may eventually get access.

    By • Oct. 3, 2024
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    rarrarorro via Getty Images
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    2025’s top smart city conferences

    Smart city technology, housing, climate action, road safety and more will take center stage at events already announced for next year.

    By , • Oct. 1, 2024
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    FMCSA Provided

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    Sponsored by FMCSA

    FMCSA’s grant award season: Millions allocated to improve highway safety

    Learn about federal grant opportunities and how your organization can apply.

    Sept. 30, 2024
  • A driver seen through the windshield of a car. The driver is adjusting a device on the dashboard that reads "lyft."
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    Kelly Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Lyft tackles rideshare drivers’ EV range anxiety

    Smartcar’s technology will ensure electric vehicle drivers only receive ride requests in their current battery range, Lyft says.

    By Benton Graham • Sept. 25, 2024
  • Illustrated lines between vehicles from an overhead view of an intersection show how vehicles could relay critical information to help reduce crashes.
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    metamorworks via Getty Images
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    Connected vehicle tech could help nationwide e-tolling, officials say

    Public and industry leaders have long noted obstacles in regional wireless transponder networks and a goal to achieve more seamless travel.

    By David Taube • Sept. 25, 2024
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    carstenbrandt via Getty Images
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    18 startups tested innovative tech in New York’s transportation systems. Here are the results.

    Better curb management, transit resiliency and transit user experience were among the goals of the Transit Tech Lab experiments.

    By • Sept. 24, 2024
  • An adult holding a rake and a child stand in floodwaters outside a home.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    NOAA, Climate Mayors ink agreement to bring more science, data tools to communities

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will ensure the mayors can access the latest climate information, while Climate Mayors will contribute to NOAA case studies on resilience. 

    By • Sept. 23, 2024
  • A person in a button down shirt and jacket stands in front of a bridge and city skyline.
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    Permission granted by Steve Zylius of University of California, Irvine
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    In a sea of flood-risk data, how can cities know which information to use?

    A Los Angeles County debate spotlights the uncertainty of climate-risk models. Experts weigh in on best practices for local leaders.

    By • Sept. 17, 2024
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Uber and Waymo to bring robotaxis to Atlanta and Austin, Texas

    The announcement is part of Uber's larger effort to partner with autonomous vehicle and technology companies.

    By • Sept. 16, 2024
  • A diverse group of people stand around a table where a person in a blue pantsuit signs papers.
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    Courtesy of Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
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    New York enacts panic-button law to counter crime in stores

    The bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, which requires a host of safety measures to address store-based crime, was opposed by key retail trade groups.

    By Daphne Howland • Sept. 9, 2024
  • A silhouette of a person wearing a hat under a bus stop on the side of the road. Behind the bus stop is a building.
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Google pilots heat resilience tool in 14 US cities

    The artificial intelligence-driven tool predicts how changes in tree canopy and reflective surfaces could reduce land surface temperature across neighborhoods.

    By • Sept. 9, 2024