The city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s streetcar system – The Hop – will install 35 smart kiosks called “CityPosts” along its route later this spring.
The smart kiosks will be dual sided, featuring 55” touch screens that are interactive and fully ADA accessible. They will provide curated local content in multiple languages to assist residents and visitors with transit use and connections, way finding, and other city information. The units also provide free public WiFi and contain security cameras that will be integrated with Milwaukee Police Department’s existing surveillance systems.
“Our smart kiosk program will be a tremendous asset to the entire community and significantly enhance the streetcar experience for regular riders and visitors alike,” Milwaukee mayor, Tom Barrett, said. “Our vision for the streetcar has always been for it to bridge gaps between centers of activity in the city, making the people and places that make our city great more accessible and connected. This kiosk program will help us bridge the gaps between high-traffic downtown areas while generating a meaningful revenue stream to support our streetcar operations.”
The Smart City kiosks also offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities, including a small business sponsorship that will underwrite the ability for local merchants to advertise on the kiosks at no cost. The smart kiosk initiative comes at no cost to the city, as Smart City will own and maintain the kiosks throughout the 10-year agreement while providing the city a share of the revenue generated through the platform. All kiosks will be located in the public right-of-way, either on streetcar platforms or in key destinations near the route to strengthen connections between the streetcar and high-density activity centers in the city.
“We are thrilled to launch this partnership with the City of Milwaukee and begin implementing our award-winning smart city solutions in this city on the rise,” Smart City Media CEO and president Tom Touchet said. “Our CityPost kiosks infuse media, technology and interactivity into public spaces, creating a synergy that provides tremendous benefits for the entire community. We look forward to contributing to a more dynamic and connected streetcar system and downtown environment in Milwaukee.”