Transit agencies form Automated Bus Consortium

Nearly a dozen agencies are coming together to leverage buying power and share ideas for driverless bus programs.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 4, 2019

NACTO guide offers cities best practices in handling mobility data

The guide suggests cities should protect data, keep it open and shared among partners, and remain transparent around its collection.

By Jason Plautz • June 4, 2019

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

New York ed department urges delay of Lockport facial recognition pilot

The technology is touted as a preventative measure against school shootings, though critics fear it could compromise privacy of students and staff.

By Jason Plautz • May 31, 2019

Sprint launches 5G in 4 cities

The mobile 5G service is live in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Kansas City, MO, with more cities to be covered in coming weeks.

By Jason Plautz • May 31, 2019

Tech can impact domestic violence — not always in a positive way

While technology can help abuse victims, it can also put them at risk for future altercations. Cities and partners are using innovative strategies to protect survivors and prevent future abuse.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 30, 2019

LA Metro to install informational touchscreens along rail line

The interactive screens will display rail and bus arrival times, service alerts, system maps and targeted display advertisements.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 30, 2019

FCC finalizes report saying digital divide is narrowing, despite objections

In a dissent, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, D, said the FCC's report deserves a "failing grade" because it relies on "data we know is wrong."

By Jason Plautz • May 30, 2019

Portland, OR launches pilot with Sidewalk Labs location data software

The Replica product tracks people’s movements from smartphones and apps to help transit agencies gain insight into traffic patterns.

By Jason Plautz • May 29, 2019

Police say 8% of Baltimore's CitiWatch cameras don't work

Funding woes and system neglect are cited as causes for the outages, which reportedly affect 59 of the city's 744 closed circuit cameras.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 29, 2019

Nonprofit tests trash-collecting robot on Chicago River

Users eventually will be able to control Trashbot 24 hours a day via the internet as it herds small pieces of trash to a collection location.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 28, 2019

Google Assistant voice feature accesses real-time NYC transit data

Users can ask when a train is coming and receive an estimated time of arrival, as well as walking directions to the station.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 24, 2019

Lyft integrates Citi Bike into its app

The company announced it would invest $100 million in Citi Bike over the next five years, saying this app update is one of its "biggest plays to date toward multimodality."

By Kristin Musulin • May 23, 2019

SAE International to form microbility data standards consortium

Miami-Dade County, Jump, Spin and Populus have signed on as initial partners of the consortium, which aims to develop best practices for storing and sharing micromobility data.

By Jason Plautz • May 23, 2019

IBM expands AI technology platform for crop assessment

The Watson Decision Platform for Agriculture uses predictive technology and IoT data to identify and communicate crop management patterns for farmers.

By Kristin Musulin • May 22, 2019

Amazon shareholders vote down facial recognition proposals

The vote breakdown is currently undisclosed, though an Amazon spokeswoman said the proposals failed by a wide margin.

By Jason Plautz • Updated May 23, 2019

Air Force, MIT to partner on AI accelerator project

The incubator will look at artificial intelligence solutions "for the public good," which could accelerate AI impacts in workforce or city applications.

By Jason Plautz • May 21, 2019

T-Mobile, Sprint merger clears hurdle following FCC chair’s backing

Chair Ajit Pai endorsed the deal for its promise to build out a 5G network that would cover 97% of the country, although pitfalls remain over antitrust.

By Chris Teale • May 21, 2019

Mitsubishi Electric, HERE announce successful test of road hazard warning system

The Lane Hazard Warning system can detect an event — such as a slowed vehicle, weather hazards or a pothole — and localize it to a specific lane. 

By Jason Plautz • May 20, 2019

Phoenix expands use of handheld analyzers to identify opioids

The city council approved a five-year, $535,000 contract to procure TruNarc Handheld Narcotics Analyzers for the police department.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 20, 2019

Bills would improve broadband internet mapping, expand access

Helping policymakers better understand where coverage gaps are should drive investment, while California legislation could make it easier for localities and ISPs to improve and expand coverage.

By Chris Teale • May 20, 2019

Personal transport: What changes will we see in the near future?

While there will always be a demand for personal transport, cities must figure out how to better support systems that reduce environmental impacts and congestion. 

By Radim Cmar • May 17, 2019

Transit Tech Lab's mission to solve NYC's subway 'crisis'

Rachel Haot, executive director of the Transportation Innovation Partnership, offered insights on the accelerator that's prepping startups to pilot transit solutions with the MTA.

By Kristin Musulin • May 16, 2019

AT&T and San Jose, CA reach agreement on smart cities tech, digital divide funding

The company is installing internet of things devices at 14 parks, while the city will also get more than 100 Wi-Fi extenders to improve wireless connectivity.

By Jason Plautz • May 16, 2019

What San Francisco’s facial recognition technology ban means for other cities

The approved ordinance could set a precedent for the city's peers, which must balance their residents' safety and privacy when using such tools.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 16, 2019

Report: Ransomware attacks against cities increasing

Cybersecurity firm Recorded Future found attackers are stumbling into opportunities to hit governments, indicating security weaknesses.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 15, 2019