Metro Magazine, August 2018
12 mETRO mAGAZINE AUGUST 2018 metro magazine com iStock image Wenjie Dong The Smart City movement continues to gain momentum for good reasons From health and human services to transportation to public safety to helping underserved neighborhoods astute civic leaders see how Smart City solutions address key needs throughout their cities They are able to communicate how developing a Smart City is about improving overall operations for the long term benefit of their cities While the definition of a Smart City varies by community its core purpose is to use technology to collect analyze Partnerships Perseverance Propel Smart Cities Movement and share vehicle and infrastructure based data from multiple sources This data is then converted into information that residents and visitors can use to make informed transportation decisions It is important to realize that there is no one size fits all plan to become a Smart City However one aspect common to Smart Cities is the breaking down of internal and external silos so that cooperation toward a common vision is achieved It is imperative that municipal departments related jurisdictions bus and rail systems ride share companies parking management companies utilities communication solution providers and cloud computing companies be committed to creating a robust communications network and data sharing platform that supports collaborative working relationships and seamless intermodal transportation solutions As an example officials in Columbus Ohio used this approach to create the groundwork for its Smart City initiative Two years ago it won the U S DOT 40 Local regional and state leaders see benefits to communities of all types businesses and residents The partnership framework has to be a lasting element that continues and expands the goals and objectives of a city as it progresses BY JIM BARBARESSO
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