Tag: skg2134

Why Tap-and-Go Transit Fares

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1. Problem:

Public Administration & Services: Managing fare cards vending machines, turnstiles and the overall system costs cities millions each years. In addition, fare cards are a huge inconvenience to commuters and tourists.

2. Technology: Tap-and-Go Transit Fares

  • No fare card needed
  • Using a software system like Apple Pay, commuters can pay for fairs on trains and busses by tapping their phone
  • “Touch and Go”
  • Reduces: operating costs, ridership barriers, passenger congestion

3. Stakeholders:

  • MTA
  • DOT
  • Commuters
  • TriMet (Developer)

4. Implementation:

  • RFP for software system
  • Coordinate across city departments to determine best pilot stations
  • Implement pilot program and expand based on success

Sydney Declutters Parking Signs With E-Ink

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1. Problem:

Public Administration & Services: Trying to figure-out if you’re allowed to park on a certain street in a city can feel like deciphering hieroglyphs.

Is it street cleaning day? What time it? What day of the week is it? Is there a special event occurring?

2. Technology:

The City of Sydney, Australia hopes to fix this with “E-link.”

  • The solar-powered signs inform motorists when there’s “no parking between 3-6 or warning of towing enforcement during special events”
  • The signs communicate on a cellular network with a central authority to display messages
  • The matte-gray screens are similar to those on e-readers
  • Extremely energy efficient and helps cities save on temporary road sign placement

3. Stakeholders:

  • City’s public works department
  • City’s transportation department
  • Visionect (Developer)
  • Community

4. Implementation:

  • Form a PPP between the city and Visionect
  • Coordinate across city departments to determine best area for a pilot (an area that faces frequent road closures throughout the year)
  • Implement pilot program and expand based on success

New York Wants Google Maps to Discourage Left Turns

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1. Problem:

Safety and Health: Each year several pedestrians are struck by vehicles while crossing the street. Left turns are especially dangerous to both pedestrians because they allow pedestrians and vehicles to use the same space at the same time. Last year, 17 pedestrians and three bicyclists were killed in New York by left-turning vehicles. NYC has the highest fatality rate for pedestrians struck by drivers making left turns.

2. Technology:

  • Google creating a “reduce left turns” routing option in Google Map
  • Essentially adding an additional feature to an existing app
  • NYC plans to partner with Google to make this route option a reality

3. Stakeholders:

  • NYC
  • Google
  • Drivers, Bicyclists, Pedestrians

4. Implementation:

  • Create a partnership with Google to creating new routing option
  • Identify areas possible route options based on traffic routes
  • Develop and implement community awareness campaign

A Nifty Device to Stop Cars From Driving Too Close to Bikes

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1. Problem

Safety and Health: Vehicles and bikes have trouble sharing the road causing thousands of accidents each year. In many states vehicles are supposed to give bicyclist at least 3 feet of clearance when passing but that is rarely this case. Furthermore, it is difficult for police to enforce this law.

2. Technology:

  • Codaxus developed a device called BSMART that is mounted on a bikes handlebar and measures the distance between the bike and a passing car through ultrasonic waves.
  • When a vehicle comes closer than 36 inches, BSMART beeps—altering the rider.
  • The device creates a large digital display that includes a GoPro camera that detects and record the vehicle’s proximity to a bike.
  • Currently used by Chattanooga police to enforce the “3 feet clearance law.”

3. Stakeholders:

  • Codaxus
  • City Police Departments
  • Biking Community

4. Implementation:

  • Coordinate with the biking community to identify busy vehicle and biking routes
  • City police department should develop a Bicycling 101 course for offenders
  • Develop and implement community awareness campaign

Potholes are Tweeting their own Repair Requests

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lead_large1. Problem:

Public Administration & Services: Numerous cities are riddled with potholes that are costing cities and automobiles owners thousands of dollars each year.

2. Technology:

Tweeting Potholes (El Hueco Twitero)

  • Installing motion-sensor devices in potholes
  • Every time a car runs over the sensor a tweet is sent to the city’s public works department
  • This technology creates a map of the most damaged streets in a city

3. Stakeholders:

  • City’s public works department
  • City’s transportation department
  • El Hueco Twitero
  • Community

4. Implementation:

  • Create an implementation plan based on the city’s current pothole data
  • Coordinate across city departments
  • Develop and implement a community awareness campaign

DEMS® (Decentralized Energy Management System)

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1. Issue:

Due to fluctuations in renewable energy generation, there is a need for an integrated technology that allows for better planning and forecasting of renewable energy sources to ensure a stable power supply.

2. Technology:

Siemens Decentralized Energy Management System DEMS

  • An information and communications technology used by Stadtwerke München (SWM), one of Germany’s largest power supply companies
  • Connects several small scale energy energy producers such as, block heating power plants, combined heat power plants and renewable power generation, creating a virtual power plant (VPP)
  • Monitors a “dispatch plan” based on weather forecasts, current electricity prices and energy demand
  • Allows utilities to forecast and determine how much energy is generated by renewables energy sources
  • Predict when other energy sources are needed to fulfill demand, due to weather conditions that may hinder renewable power generation

3. Stakeholders:

  • Siemens
  • Utility Companies
  • Governments

4. Implementation:

  • Coordinate with utility companies to determine small scale energy producers
  • Centralize small scale energy producers by creating a virtual power plant
  • Implement DEMS to enhance and regulate power generation across scales