Lesson

A Smart City must address real-world challenges, not just deploy technology.

A summary report of key takeaways from applications for USDOT’s Smart City Challenge

01/03/2017

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Background (Show)

Lesson Learned

A smart city is more than just a technology deployment. It is ultimately about solving real-world urban challenges: USDOT received 78 applications from cities across the country, but some common challenges and solutions were identified by the vast majority of applicants, including:
  • Provide first and last mile service for transit users to connect underserved communities to jobs.
    1. Deploy integrated mobility marketplaces to allow travelers to easily plan multimodal trips, compare trip costs, and purchase mobility services.
    2. Expand bikeshare, carshare, and rideshare options.
    3. Improve transit service reliability by establishing bus rapid transit corridors, install signal systems that prioritize buses, and get real time transit information into the hands of riders.
  • Facilitate the movement of goods into and within a city.
    1. Improve reliability of freight by installing signals that prioritize truck movement along freight corridors.
    2. Provide truckers with real-time information on parking availability and truck routes.
    3. Demonstrate the potential for automated and connected freight vehicles to make freight movements safer and more efficient.
    4. Implement smarter curb space management (through sensors, dynamic reservations, and other technologies) to speed loading and unloading.
  • Coordinate data collection and analysis across systems and sectors.
    1. Install closed-circuit cameras and sensors to collect data on vehicle movements, transit reliability, and pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
    2. Collect data from vehicle probes, connected vehicles, and connected infrastructure.
    3. Establish open data platforms and inviting citizens to participate in hackathons.
  • Limit the impacts of climate and reducing carbon emissions.
    1. Support the use of electric vehicles by taxi and transportation network company (TNC) fleets.
    2. Convert public fleets, such as garbage trucks, buses and police cars, to electric vehicles.
    3. Subsidize the purchase and use of electric vehicles through tax exemptions, energy credits, and bulk buy and loan programs.
    4. Install electric vehicle charging stations.
  • Reduce the digital divide for underserved communities.
    1. Improve first-mile/last-mile connections to transit, through subsidized TNCs, car and bike share, and autonomous shuttles.
    2. Expand access to free public Wi-Fi on buses, taxis, and parks.
    3. Develop specialized apps for non-English speakers and people with disabilities.
    4. Provide universal transportation payment cards for the unbanked and subsidize a range of travel services for people with low incomes.

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Source

Smart City Challenge Lessons Learned

Published By: U.S. Department of Transportation

Source Date: 01/03/2017

URL: https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/Smart%20City%20Challenge%20Lessons%20Learned.pdf

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Lesson Categories

Policy & Planning > Planning

Application Areas

Intelligent Transportation Systems > Traveler Information > Multimodal Traveler Information

Intelligent Transportation Systems > Transit Management > Operations & Fleet Management > Transit Signal Priority

Intelligent Transportation Systems > Traveler Information > Pre-Trip Information > Internet/Wireless

Intelligent Transportation Systems > Commercial Vehicle Operations > Carrier Operations & Fleet Management > Traveler Information

Intelligent Transportation Systems > Alternative Fuels > Charging / Fueling Information

Intelligent Transportation Systems > Transit Management > Transportation Demand Management > Ride Sharing/Matching

States

None defined

Countries

None defined

Systems Engineering

Show the V

None defined

Focus Areas

Major Initiatives > Mobility Services for All Americans

Major Initiatives > Integrated Corridor Management Systems

Major Initiatives > Nationwide Surface Transportation Weather Observing and Forecasting System - Clarus

Major Initiatives > Emergency Transportation Operations

Major Initiatives > Electronic Freight Management

Major Initiatives > Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII)

Other Program Activities > Commercial Vehicle Information Systems And Networks (CVISN)

Other Program Activities > Real Time Traveler Information

Other Program Activities > Rural ITS Deployment

Other Program Activities > Transit Systems

Goal Areas

Safety
Mobility
Energy & Environment

Keywords

bus priority, traffic signals, TSP

Lesson ID: 2018-00825