It is frequently said that technology advancements are moving so fast it is hard to keep up. Those same technology advancements are ensuring we can also move fast. As part of “smart city” initiatives, localities across the country are implementing IoT, sensor, and big data solutions to better understand and manage traffic patterns to improve citizens’ mobility. GovWhitePapers is here to help you keep up with the pace of change in transportation by providing white papers, eBooks, case studies and data sheets that speak to technologies, trends and more!
Smart Cities Across America
Aspen, CO is piloting a technology that creates “Smart Zones,” or areas that are reserved for commercial curbside activities such as loading and unloading goods. These zones can be reserved in advance for a cost of 50 cents for 30 minutes. By gathering data on how these areas are used, the city gets a sense of where and how deliveries happen and can adjust planning and traffic flow accordingly.
Columbus, OH has combined public and private parking into a single app to help drivers find and pay for the most convenient parking option in real-time.
Columbus has also implemented an app, Pivot, that helps residents plan their trips with information on public transport, ride-hailing, carpooling, bikeshares, personal vehicles, and more in one location. Once you determine the best method you can reserve and pay for transportation options right from the app.
Detroit, MI has been testing a mapping system, installed in city vehicles, that improves the quality of data collected on roadway conditions and delivers automated analyses. This data will enable road authorities to prioritize preventative maintenance as well as immediate repairs.
Smart Transportation for Smooth Sailing
A system piloted in Sydney, Australia is being evaluated by several U.S. cities to improve signal timing for smoother commutes. SCATS uses sensors at intersections to distinguish the types of vehicles and pedestrian traffic and can change signal timing in real-time to meet the demand.
Similarly, the Port of Houston uses sensors to better plan cargo train schedules to ensure goods are moved efficiently without impacting citizen commutes.
Government White Papers on Transportation
Below are a number of resources that can help you get smart on what transportation innovations are happening across the country.
- Beyond Traffic 2045 – The trends shaping our transportation system will require changes in policy, new approaches to planning, and greater coordination between all levels of government and between government and the private sector.
- Raising Awareness of Artificial Intelligence for Transportation Systems Management and Operations – This report introduces the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the potential applications in transportation management system (TMS) and transportation management center (TMC) operations. This paper also showcases successful AI applications for TMSs, and provides a list of important issues to consider in developing AI applications.
- Mcity Driverless Shuttle: What We Learned About Consumer Acceptance of Automated Vehicles – Driverless vehicles could fundamentally change the way people and goods are transported and benefit society as a whole in tangible, meaningful ways – but only if consumers accept the technology and trust it to keep them and their families safe.
- The Missing Piece on Meeting Transportation Electrification Goals: Utility Education and Outreach Programs – The Department of Homeland Security considers the Transportation Systems Sector to be one of 16 critical infrastructure sectors. This paper looks at the cybersecurity landscape for transportation agencies and offers best practices for securing these IT systems.
These are just a sampling of the resources GovWhitePapers makes available to the transportation industry, as well as state and municipal government communities. You can browse additional white papers on transportation and other topics through our search engine here:
