U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx met May 17 with Austin leaders to discuss the city's bid in the Smart City Challenge.[/caption]
One week before Austin's application deadline for the Smart City Challenge—a national competition among cities for a $40 million federal transportation grant—city leaders met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx May 17 to discuss the city's assets and challenges.
The competition deadline is May 24, and Austin's final proposal will include ideas borrowed from other cities, such as an annual transportation conference, as well as innovative technology solutions, such as a partnership with Google and its self-driving car project, according to city staff.
“We recognize we aren’t going to be able to build ourselves out of congestion," District 5 Council Member Ann Kitchen said. "This is about a vision for our community. ... That means providing a whole range of options for people that is not just infrastructure.”
Foxx encouraged Austin leaders not to "pull any punches" in their application and advised any technology solutions outlined in the city's application be targeted to address specific community needs.
“You can’t make up stuff and win this competition. It has to be organic; it has to be based on the actual challenges facing your city,” he said. "We’re not interested in technology for technology’s sake; we're not interested in finding the coolest new gizmos.”
The Smart City Challenge winner will be announced this summer, Foxx said.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx met May 17 with Austin leaders to discuss the city's bid in the Smart City Challenge.[/caption]
One week before Austin's application deadline for the Smart City Challenge—a national competition among cities for a $40 million federal transportation grant—city leaders met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx May 17 to discuss the city's assets and challenges.
The competition deadline is May 24, and Austin's final proposal will include ideas borrowed from other cities, such as an annual transportation conference, as well as innovative technology solutions, such as a partnership with Google and its self-driving car project, according to city staff.
“We recognize we aren’t going to be able to build ourselves out of congestion," District 5 Council Member Ann Kitchen said. "This is about a vision for our community. ... That means providing a whole range of options for people that is not just infrastructure.”
Foxx encouraged Austin leaders not to "pull any punches" in their application and advised any technology solutions outlined in the city's application be targeted to address specific community needs.
“You can’t make up stuff and win this competition. It has to be organic; it has to be based on the actual challenges facing your city,” he said. "We’re not interested in technology for technology’s sake; we're not interested in finding the coolest new gizmos.”
The Smart City Challenge winner will be announced this summer, Foxx said.
