USDOT launches Smart City Challenge

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently partnered with Vulcan Inc. to launch a Smart City Challenge.

The goal of the Smart City Challenge is to develop a fully integrated, unique city that will apply technology, data and creativity to transportation and infrastructure. This will change mobility for the better in the future.

“This is an opportunity for the winning city to define what it means to be a ‘Smart City’ when it comes to transportation,” Anthony Foxx, U.S. Transportation secretary, said. “We encourage cities to develop their own unique vision, partnerships and blueprints to demonstrate to the world what a fully integrated, forward-looking transportation network looks like. America can remain the global leader in maintaining the safest, most efficient system in the world. I am looking for mayors who share that belief to join us in pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”

Officials will choose the winning city, which will be granted $40 million, to apply the ideas to its transportation system.

“Transformative innovation takes ambitious support from both the government and the private sector,” Barbara Bennett, Vulcan president and chief operating officer, said. “That’s why we’re partnering with the DOT to inspire innovative, scalable, proof-of-concept solutions to address some of our planet’s most urgent challenges. We hope that together we can spur change by demonstrating what is possible through replicable models.”