Smart communities create spaces for residents to live, work and thrive. Increased safety and security, improved transportation, better infrastructure, more connectivity — these are just some of the benefits of developing more efficient, smarter environments.
Accelerating human-centered, smart solutions for the Arizona State University community and beyond is a top priority for the Cox Connected Environments Collaboratory. Utilizing the technology advancements of Cox 2M makes it possible for the Collaboratory to partner with top researchers at ASU to design and work with communities to implement smart solutions.
Exploring smart traffic solutions through research
Recently, the Collaboratory partnered with Dr. Yezhou ‘YZ’ Yang, associate professor at School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence (SCAI) at ASU, and his research team to create an unbiased evaluation of smart traffic monitoring technologies and management systems. The goal? To create an environment that is as safe as possible for drivers, pedestrians and autonomous vehicles alike for Arizona communities like ASU.
Data collection is taking place now for this project, and the team will share a white paper this fall with their research findings.
More examples of smart community efforts
This is not the Collaboratory’s first advancements in making the ASU community a safer place to live, learn and work. Previously, the Collaboratory launched a data pilot to help ASU transition to a smarter, more eco-friendly vehicle fleet. This includes the electrification of ASU’s vehicles and the installation of electric charging stations across all university campuses, helping the university further its sustainability goal to become Climate Positive. The data pilot included:
- creating effective resource utilization,
- implementing telematics to efficiently utilize and route the fleet, and
- evaluating fleet composition and performance.
Additionally, in 2021, the Collaboratory’s intern — now project coordinator — Rachel Hayden conducted extensive research to improve bike parking at ASU. Hayden created a video analytics model using machine learning to be able to view and recognize bikes. Her internship experience was so impactful in Hayden’s life that she started her role at the Collaboratory after graduation. “The Collaboratory gave me a chance to give back and utilize the skills that I was able to grow in my internship,” said Hayden. “My internship experience taught me to take chances and risks.”
ASU student internships like Hayden’s remain important in making the Collaboratory’s work possible, and allows students to gain valuable work experiences that will lead to success during their time at ASU and long after.
All these actions support the Collaboratory’s expanded mission and vision: making a smart impact on the local community and beyond. “Our vision is still focused on impact, said Curtis Buschor, Project Manager of the Collaboratory. “The overarching theme of the vision is resounding, and it is value and impact.”