Coord – a Sidewalk Labs-backed curb management company – has chosen four cities to participate in its 2020 Digital Curb Challenge. The cities include Aspen, CO; Omaha, NE; Nashville, TN and West Palm Beach, FL.
Each Pilot Program City will test a Smart Zone program that uses Coord technology to provide delivery and service vehicle drivers with the information they need, such as real-time locations, availability, and rules for loading space. Each loading space that is designated as a “Smart Zone” is dedicated for use by the participating vehicles. Those drivers use a mobile app to view Smart Zone locations and availability and can then place a hold on an available Smart Zone near their destination.
The Smart Zone programs can be tailored to each city’s mobility and policy plans by controlling time limits, hours of operations, and pricing. The Coord platform enables cities to manage their curb space by creating more loading space where and when it’s most needed. As the information is digitally communicated to drivers, cities can more easily make adjustments to zones in response to policy changes, special events, or emergencies.
The challenge also includes nine cohort cities which will be engaging in information-sharing and educational opportunities. Cities interested in joining the cohort may inquire by July 31, 2020.
“We were delighted at the outpouring of interest in the Digital Curb Challenge from across the US and Canada,” said Stephen Smyth, co-founder and CEO of Coord. “We look forward to working closely with Aspen, Nashville, Omaha and West Palm Beach to develop and launch Smart Zone pilot programs that address critical mobility challenges in these cities and to demonstrate the power of the curb in creating significant, tangible impacts in their communities and local economies.”