California rolls out digital license plate pilot

The benefits of the plates to fleet managers, including digital advertisements and expedited emergency response, will be balanced against concerns about data security and privacy. 

By Jason Plautz • May 31, 2018

Coord unveils Routing API to support multimodal trip planning

The API has launched for Washington, DC and NYC, with plans to expand into other geographic regions soon.

By Kristin Musulin • May 30, 2018

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

Detroit considers virtual courses to increase public school enrollment

The district has proposed various strategies to stem declining enrollment, but a transition to an online environment poses risks schools must address.

By Kristin Musulin • May 30, 2018

Uber rolls out 911 panic button in US app

In what continues to be a turbulent time for Uber, the 911 assistance is a tangible step toward improving the company's safety record.

By Jason Plautz • May 30, 2018

London buskers can now take contactless payments

The initiative will enhance street performers' earning potential while also keeping with the city's wider blueprint to become digitized.

By Chris Teale • May 29, 2018

Embracing digital transformation in the city of tomorrow

A successful digital transformation hinges on having a global strategy which shows an acute awareness of local implementation needs.

By Bob Laskey • May 29, 2018

DC partners with Nextdoor to improve election turnout

Nextdoor hopes to solve an information gap around elections that city officials say hinder turnout, a problem even more pronounced during midterm elections.

By Jason Plautz • May 29, 2018

NYC launches regional data mapping website

The Metro Region Explorer has information on population, economics and housing on the city’s five boroughs, upstate New York, Long Island and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut.

By Chris Teale • May 25, 2018

Silicon Valley, Bay Area may follow in Seattle's footsteps with head tax

Following Seattle's approval of a business tax, other tech-heavy cities like San Francisco and Mountain View, CA are considering their own measures to curb homelessness and congestion.

By Kristin Musulin • May 25, 2018

San Diego works to give its employers a leg up in recruiting

The city joins a growing list of governments offering employers free resources to aid them in the war for talent.

By Riia O'Donnell • May 24, 2018

Bloomberg invests $42M in What Works Cities; decries 'alternative facts'

In the organization's annual report, founder Michael Bloomberg wrote an open letter on philanthropy and said cities are "leading where Washington won't."

By Kristin Musulin • May 24, 2018

Comcast, Semtech to partner for Startup in Residence program

The pair are the first corporate sponsors of the initiative, which brings companies and governments together for 16 weeks to work together and solve urban problems.

By Chris Teale • May 23, 2018

US House bill would direct Commerce Department to study IoT devices

The SMART IoT Act would be the "first step" toward formalizing the federal government's relationship with the burgeoning industry.

By Chris Teale • May 23, 2018

Amazon offering facial recognition tech to police, sparking civil rights debate

The availability of big data and surveillance technology means police departments can take innovative approaches to public safety — a move that also carries warnings of "Big Brother."

By Jason Plautz • May 23, 2018

Facebook, Qualcomm partner for urban high-speed internet venture

Qualcomm will provide the hardware for the project, putting Facebook's Terragraph technology in its chipsets. Trials will begin in mid-2019. 

By Jason Plautz • May 22, 2018

Bipartisan group of senators urge improvements in rural broadband

In a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the 63 lawmakers called for regular, long-term investment in a program that keeps rates similar for those in urban and rural areas.

By Chris Teale • May 22, 2018

The future is brighter than ever for IIoT innovation

Spending on smart city technology is expected to hit $80 billion globally this year, making it critical for cities and municipalities to prepare now for tomorrow’s smart city needs.

By John Marcolini • May 22, 2018

11 technologies set to shape smart manufacturing

New tools like 3D printing and artificial intelligence have created a paradigm shift in technology and revealed a new world of supply chain efficiencies yet to be unlocked.

By Jordan Branch , Edwin Lopez • May 22, 2018

San Francisco to help clear marijuana citations using algorithm

The algorithm will scan records to determine eligibility for clearance, fill out necessary forms and produce a completed motion that can be filed in court. 

By Jason Plautz • May 21, 2018

San Francisco leads list of top cities for blockchain jobs

Crypto Fund Research evaluated blockchain job listings, companies, startups, hedge funds and venture capital in each city, as well as the respective unemployment rate.

By Kristin Musulin • May 18, 2018

Houston to partner with Chinese city Suzhou on biotech research

The cities signed an agreement pledging to work together on trade and invest in each other's economies.

By Chris Teale • May 17, 2018

Report: Amazon wraps up visits to 20 HQ2 finalists

Finalists already feel the impact. If it is attractive to Amazon, then it is attractive to other companies. Newark, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Austin, Texas had an increase in inquiries from other companies looking for a base. 

By Samantha Schwartz • May 17, 2018

NYC announces blockchain resource center

NYCEDC will also launch a competition in late 2018 to develop apps that can use blockchain to improve public services. 

By Jason Plautz • May 17, 2018

Data breach exposes nearly 900 San Francisco hospital patients' information

A former employee at a Massachusetts-based contractor exposed the data, but federal investigations found it had not been sold or used for any purpose.

By Chris Teale • May 16, 2018

San Mateo County, CA opens smart region innovation center

SMC Lab will bring together 22 cities in Silicon Valley as well as residents, universities and businesses to work together to solve problems for its urban and unincorporated areas.

By Chris Teale • May 16, 2018