The city of Long Beach, CA has entered into a public-private partnership with Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America and Xtelligent – an artificial intelligence firm – to deploy and test transportation management systems. The goal of the project is to develop transportation technology systems that will improve urban transportation management and enhance livability and environmental sustainability in and around the city. The project is part of Long Beach’s Smart City Initiative, which seeks to ustilise data and technology as strategic tools to solve challenges and improve the lives of Long Beach residents.
“This partnership represents the best of what a forward-thinking city, leading automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and innovative venture can uniquely enable when collaborating towards a common, worthwhile goal,” said Michael Lim, cofounder of Xtelligent. “We’re excited to use our collective resources to develop and demonstrate how technology can improve the livability, vitality, and sustainability of Long Beach.”
The 10-month project will include:
- testing an intelligent intersection control system to safely adapt traffic signal timing at select intersections;
- data analysis from connected test vehicle fleets and existing physical sensors around the city to provide information in hopes of improving future transportation policy and traffic engineering decisions; and,
- a community youth workshop and science education opportunities for Long Beach residents and students – with an emphasis on under-resourced communities.
“This public-private partnership will keep Long Beach at the forefront of emerging transportation technologies,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “This project will showcase our city’s skilled workforce, provide more STEM learning opportunities for students, and represents our city’s continued commitment to building a technology focused ecosystem.”