Transportation for America (T4America) announced today that Houston was one of 22 communities selected to participate in the second cohort of its Smart Cities Collaborative program.
The Collaborative will again bring together cities to collaborate on the challenges involving the implementation of smart mobility policies and projects, and help the team from Houston Public Works Transportation and Drainage Operations explore how emerging technologies and new mobility options can improve urban transportation in Houston.
Houston will join other communities to tackle how new approaches are reshaping the use of the right-of-way and curb space to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently through cities such as Houston.
“I am excited Houston has been selected to help lead the charge in innovation. As our city continues to grow and develop, so must our mobility and infrastructure," said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “When I became mayor, I said Houston needed a paradigm shift in transportation. I am confident we are moving in that direction. Our work with the T4America’s Smart Cities Collaborative will provide an opportunity to explore emerging technologies and new mobility options that can help improve our transportation options."
“Whether electric scooters, new dockless bike-sharing systems, curbside delivery, or ride-sourcing services, the pace of innovation is accelerating and these technologies and new mobility options are already on our streets and having a tangible impact in our communities,” said Russ Brooks, T4America’s director of Smart Cities. “Houston and our other participating cities are eager to work together and cooperate, not only to bring these new technologies to their communities, but also to ensure that they are directed toward solving their most pressing transportation challenges and helping them become more efficient, safe, and equitable places to live and work.”
Houston was selected from a group of 50 cities that applied to be a part of the Collaborative this year.
The Collaborative will hold its first meeting in Denver April 16-17. Throughout the year, Houston Public Works Transportation and Drainage Operations will participate in a variety of interactive workshops, both with the other cities and with industry-leading transportation experts. From there, the participants will receive direct technical assistance and share the results of their projects with the Collaborative.
Participating in the Collaborative in 2018 are:
Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX
Boulder, CO
Centennial, CO
Gainesville, FL
Houston, TX
Indianapolis, IN
Los Angeles, CA
Madison, WI
Miami-Dade, FL
Minneapolis, MN
New York, NY
Pittsburgh, PA
Portland, OR
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
San Jose, CA
Santa Monica, CA
Seattle, WA
Toronto, ON
Washington, DC
West Sacramento, CA
ABOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR AMERICA:
T4America is an alliance of elected, business and civic leaders from communities across the country to ensure that states and the federal government step up to invest in smart, homegrown, locally-driven transportation solutions — because these are the investments that hold the key to our future economic prosperity. Learn more at t4america.org. T4America is a program of Smart Growth America.