Last year, Derek Porter, Gov1 columnist wrote about three tech trends that would develop over the course of 2016.
“Citizens have become increasingly more aware and opinionated as to how government services should be delivered. Constituents these days expect a convenient and transparent view into local government while demanding services be delivered consistently and efficiently at all times. Combining the rise in expectations with the fact governments are constantly challenged with decreasing budgets, leaders in government have almost no choice but to turn to new civic technologies,” Porter wrote.
So, did governments examine the plethora of wirelessly connected devices that can be utilized to better serve their citizens?
They certainly did.
From testing smart cisterns that capture critical stormwater resources in Los Angeles to installing smart parking meters (most recently in Bridgeport, Conn.) and using sensors to transmit data to better understand infrastructure, such as Chicago testing how green infrastructure can prevent flooding, more cities are tackling challenges with connected devices.
Many of the achievements centered on transportation. Following the lead of cities like Bellevue, Wash., which has wired upwards of 200 intersections, 2016 software and adaptive-signals enable the Seattle Department of Transportation to better control its traffic congestion.
On the horizon for smart transit in 2017, the city of Pittsburgh, Pa., will implement a “smart spine” that addresses congestion in a notoriously congested zone called the Golden Triangle. The city of Columbus, Ohio, is expected to wow its peers with a series of smart transit approaches that will improve the lives of citizens with its more than $50 million award from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2016 Smart City Challenge.
Did they also address the growing expectation that local governments should take proactive approaches to sharing information?
This is also a 2016 accomplishment many more cities can claim in 2016.
Open data policy proved to be more than just a way to share data collected by the city of Jackson, Miss., when Mayor Tony Yarber and his team working with Bloomberg Philanthropies’ partners connected blight data to code enforcement.
The city of Johns Creek, Ga., figured out how an open data tool could improve public safety.
Some pursued open data in a very cost-effective way, like Wichita, Kan., using open source tools. Boston opened up its analytical toolkit, CityScore, to all by posting its code on the Web. Miami, Fla., Providence, R.I., and South Bend, Ind. are currently leveraging it and should have some of their own stories to tell in 2017.
Finally, did cities introduce cloud-based digital strategies?
Many cities are reportedly moving forward on cloud-based tools as well as full-fledged digital strategies powered by vendors like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Esri, Oracle, HP and numerous others. Their local government client lists continue to grow.
The emphasis on civic tech and the rise of the chief technology officer at the local government level is only going to grow in 2017 as more cities look to upgrade antiquated infrastructure and develop more resilient digital processes that enhance government services.
