Tech & Data: Page 6


  • Looking down at a traffic jam on a six-lane highway in the evening with headlights on.
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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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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    Ransomware presents a growing threat to vulnerable local governments

    In the past, cities and counties were not a prime target for ransomware attacks, says Rahul Mahna, a partner who leads the Outsourced IT Services team at Eisner Advisory Group LLC.

    By Michael Keating • Nov. 6, 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
  • Cruise autonomous vehicle self driving GM
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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
  • People crowd around a person sitting on the ground drinking water out of a plastic bottle. One person holds an umbrella over the person on the ground.
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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 Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 4, 2024
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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    Column

    2024 elections meet social media – How local governments can stay ahead

    Social media is a critical aspect of the 2024 election in different ways from years prior. This is due to younger generation voters engaging on platforms like X, Instagram and TikTok, and with half of all U.S. adults saying they at least sometimes get news via social media, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey.

    By Eric Grant • Nov. 1, 2024
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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Traverse City’s broadband project is a cautionary tale for other communities

    As a former telecommunications executive who created business plans for fiber networks, I’ve watched Traverse City, Mich.’s efforts to build a fiber municipal broadband network with both interest and concern.

    By Gerald DeGrazia • Oct. 29, 2024
  • Two people in firefighting suits carry a hose outside. Fire and smoke is billowing in front of them.
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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 Ysabelle Kempe • 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
  • A detailed landscape design plan showing topographic contour lines, orange building illustrations, green trees, and directional arrows. The layout includes winding paths and clustered vegetation. A triangular scale ruler lies on the left, and three colored pencils, colored blue, green, and yellow, rest on the lower right corner of the page.
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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    As cyber threats evolve, cities and counties need to safeguard staffers’ mobile devices

    No question, more local governments are facing cyber threats in 2024, says Tim LeMaster, vice president, worldwide systems engineering at Lookout.

    By Michael Keating • Oct. 25, 2024
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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    Column

    Building smarter, stronger communities with an AI-enhanced government workforce

    There are an estimated 20.3 million public sector employees in the United States, representing a significant 13% of the country’s active workforce. The implications for turnover are staggering, as several thousand of these employees retire each year on average as others constantly join.

    By Jeff Green • Oct. 24, 2024
  • A detailed landscape design plan showing topographic contour lines, orange building illustrations, green trees, and directional arrows. The layout includes winding paths and clustered vegetation. A triangular scale ruler lies on the left, and three colored pencils, colored blue, green, and yellow, rest on the lower right corner of the page.
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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    The future of flying: FAA’s final air taxi rule could have cities looking more like ‘The Jetsons’

    Changes are coming to city and county airspace that could turn a science-fiction dream into a reality.

    By Oct. 24, 2024
  • Aerial view of skyscraper buildings in San Francisco financial district during dusk
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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
  • One of Serve Robotics next generation robots
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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
  • An eviction notice posted on the front door of a home.
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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
  • Side view of a two-door car parked at night with people sitting at tables on the sidewalk.
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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
  • A detailed landscape design plan showing topographic contour lines, orange building illustrations, green trees, and directional arrows. The layout includes winding paths and clustered vegetation. A triangular scale ruler lies on the left, and three colored pencils, colored blue, green, and yellow, rest on the lower right corner of the page.
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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    On technology buys, it’s important that agency stakeholders work together throughout the process

    Teamwork is essential when cities and counties plan to buy new systems and equipment, says Gary Mitchell, director of SLED (state, local and education) business development at Iron Mountain Government Solutions, a company that provides secure management of data and assets; it works to protect, connect and activate high-value customer data.

    By Michael Keating • Oct. 8, 2024
  • Two autonomous vehicles with Avride and Uber branding
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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
  • Crowds of people walking through Union Square Park in Manhattan New York City on a bright sunny day.
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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
  • A detailed landscape design plan showing topographic contour lines, orange building illustrations, green trees, and directional arrows. The layout includes winding paths and clustered vegetation. A triangular scale ruler lies on the left, and three colored pencils, colored blue, green, and yellow, rest on the lower right corner of the page.
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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    Column

    Modernizing municipal IT infrastructure: A vital defense against cyber threats

    This summer, Flint, Mich., became the latest in a growing list of U.S. municipalities to fall victim to a ransomware attack. This incident, which took city services offline for weeks, is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities many local governments face in an increasingly hostile cyber landscape.

    By Andy Lin • Oct. 3, 2024
  • People around a table on a brightly lit stage.
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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
  • City skyline behind trees and homes.
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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 Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 3, 2024
  • A detailed landscape design plan showing topographic contour lines, orange building illustrations, green trees, and directional arrows. The layout includes winding paths and clustered vegetation. A triangular scale ruler lies on the left, and three colored pencils, colored blue, green, and yellow, rest on the lower right corner of the page.
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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    Column

    Advancements in police technology have fundamentally changed how departments operate

    Consider the technology that makes effective policing possible. Where would we be without the ability to conduct DNA testing—or even fingerprint suspects?

    By Dean Cunningham • Oct. 1, 2024
  • Crowds of people walk on a city street
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    rarrarorro via Getty Images
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    2025’s top smart city conferences

    Smart city technology, housing, climate action, transportation, public safety and more take center stage at events in 2025.

    By Updated June 27, 2025
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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 detailed landscape design plan showing topographic contour lines, orange building illustrations, green trees, and directional arrows. The layout includes winding paths and clustered vegetation. A triangular scale ruler lies on the left, and three colored pencils, colored blue, green, and yellow, rest on the lower right corner of the page.
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    Toa55 via Getty Images
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    Everyone, including top leaders, need to be on-board when agencies install new technology

    New systems installations need to go smoothly, says Steve Witt, director of public sector at Nintex, a global provider of process and workflow automation software with clients that include public sector entities, including the U.S. Department of Defense, city of Denver, the federal Veterans Administration and the U.S. Air Force. Go to the following link for information on Nintex’s work with governments.

    By Michael Keating • Sept. 27, 2024