The Smart Cities Dive Awards for 2020

In a year where cities and local officials had to weather unprecedented crises, the following awardees stood out for their bold leadership.

By Smart Cities Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Vehicles traveled at faster, deadlier speeds at onset of COVID-19: study

Transportation analytics company INRIX found a dramatic increase in average speed traveled from April to July among the U.S.' top 25 metro-areas, with Philadelphia seeing the biggest jump at 64%. 

By Chris Teale • Dec. 8, 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

What security experts expect from Biden's cyber strategy

The private sector is playing a more active role in national security. Now, security professionals are hungry for even more cross-sector collaboration.

By Samantha Schwartz • Dec. 7, 2020

How automation can alleviate law enforcement bias in transportation

Deploying automated traffic enforcement systems can free up law enforcement resources to be allocated in communities where they are needed most. 

By Holly Cooper • Dec. 2, 2020

Cycling activity increased 11% YOY in September

The increase in cycling is not felt evenly across cities, Streetlight Data found. Many larger metro-areas with developed bike infrastructure have seen declines in activity compared to smaller cities. 

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 24, 2020

LA pilots Google tree canopy tech

The Tree Canopy Lab technology combines AI and aerial images to assess tree cover density in an effort to measure and track environmental data.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 23, 2020

Wastewater surveillance may be key to widespread COVID-19 detection

COVID-19 presents a rare opportunity for researchers to refine and implement wastewater-based epidemiology testing to fight the pandemic and manage future infections.

By Leanne Huysentruyt • Nov. 20, 2020

LA unveils plans for transportation tech innovation zone

The zone will enable public-private collaboration on new tech, with the first pilot involving a last-mile, zero-emission delivery service via a fleet of robots. 

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 19, 2020

G20 invites 2 US cities to adopt global policy roadmap

San Jose, CA and Chattanooga, TN are among 36 "pioneer cities" to test and offer feedback on the roadmap from the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 19, 2020

Uber confirms sale of AV arm to Aurora Innovation

Uber will offload its Advanced Technologies Group and invest $400 million into Aurora as part of the deal, which is expected to close in early 2021.

By Chris Teale • Updated Dec. 8, 2020

What data needs recovery first after a ransomware attack?

Shaun Marion, CISO at Republic Services, doesn't treat all his data the same. There's some data he won't care about losing in light of a ransomware attack.

By Samantha Schwartz • Nov. 18, 2020

Airbnb stock more than doubles in IPO debut

The company started trading on Nasdaq at $146 a share on Thursday, weeks after it expressed confidence in a strong recovery from a pandemic-driven drop in profits. 

By Chris Teale • Updated Dec. 10, 2020

Verizon brings 5G innovation hub to Florida smart community

Innovators within the community of Lake Nona will have access to Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network to test how the tech can be applied across industries.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 17, 2020

Non-drug 311 calls can indicate opioid hotspots: study

Ohio State University researchers found non-traditional datasets can be used to better understand the opioid crisis and strategically distribute resources. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 13, 2020

Cryptocurrency listed for rapper's 'Akon City' in Senegal

The Akoin cryptocurrency was listed for purchase on bitcoin exchange Bittrex Global, marking a significant step forward for rapper Akon's planned smart city. 

By Chris Teale • Nov. 12, 2020

Behind the scrutiny of Bird's fleet manager program

A recent media report said Bird's fleet manager program is "luring contract workers into debt," while some contractors say the program has been lucrative.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 11, 2020

Cities are only 'smart' when IoT works in real time

Despite the hoopla, smart cities are failing to accomplish most of what's being promised because of lagging software technology.

By Marty Sprinzen • Nov. 11, 2020

Biden expected to spur growth of smart city tech market

"Under a Biden administration, efforts around smart cities can be expected to accelerate," one analyst said, noting potential growth in smart water systems and transportation electrification.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 10, 2020

30% of K-12 students lack at-home internet, devices: BCG

A new connectivity report found it could cost up to $11 billion to bridge the K-12 digital divide as COVID-19 forces more than 50 million students to learn remotely.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 4, 2020

5 charts to show the impact of ransomware attacks in 2020

Even if patterns in code and strategy resemble a certain group, it's not always reliable enough to definitively identify an attacker or variant. 

By Samantha Schwartz • Nov. 2, 2020

Digital transformation in utilities starts on the frontlines

As COVID-19 kicks the utility industry's digital efforts into high gear, companies should first focus on building a connected workforces.

By Cristian Grossmann • Nov. 2, 2020

Austin, TX is tapping its waterways to address racial equity

UT-Austin students partnered with Austin Water to address how the public utility can support racial equity through efforts like CAP assistance and advanced metering.

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 29, 2020

Prop 22 will shake up fundamental insurance policies

No matter which side of the fence the California ballot measure falls, it will shake up the gig economy and impact operator insurance strategies.

By Wil Hamory • Oct. 29, 2020

10 statewide ballot measures to watch: results

Of the 10 ballot initiatives identified last week as "measures to watch," only one — a rent control initiative in California — failed at the polls.

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • Updated Nov. 4, 2020

DOE, USDOT issue $5.25M in project grants to advance transit tech

MIT, Utah State University and the Chattanooga (TN) Regional Transportation Authority each received $1.75 million grants to improve transit systems using "innovative vehicle technologies."

By Chris Teale • Oct. 26, 2020