Nine months ago, Kansas City launched its Smart City Initiative, which included a two-mile KC Streetcar downtown. Kansas City is the most technologically advanced city in North America thanks to a $15 million investment that includes free Wi-Fi on 50 blocks of downtown, 125 “smart” streetlights, and interactive kiosks for citizens.
Smart City includes sensors that collect large amounts of data and in real time. This helps to make the city more efficient. “The Smart City sensors and digital tools are cool, but understanding how to use these tools – and the data that they generate – bridges the gap between cool and smart,” said Kansas City Mayor Sly James.
The public is able to see real-time visualization of this data (http://smartkcmo.xaqt.com/) on a map showing where there is available parking, what the current traffic flow is, where the pedestrian hotspots are, and the location of the KC Streetcars. As KC’s Smart City expands, city officials will use data analytics to make decisions. They can save money for taxpayers by repairing streets and waterlines, and maintaining other infrastructure.
Bob Bennett, Chief Innovation Officer of Kansas City, said: “We have been testing the quality data collected by our Smart City Infrastructure.” Now we’ll put the data to good use for Kansas City residents.
Kansas City released the data as part of a workshop co-hosted by Think Big Partners and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Kansas City’s method for operationalizing the big data will help federal agencies set standards for the use of big data.
Tim Cowden said, “The Smart City initiative is another reason that talented Millennials, and progressive companies, are relocating in Kansas City’s Downtown area.” “Kansas City is a leader in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship – a model for other cities around the world.”
More information on Kansas City Smart City Program