THE SMARTEST CITIES IN THE US AND CANADA
The United States and Canada are at the heart of technological innovation and implementation. Many towns and cities are adopting cutting-edge technology to become smarter and better for its citizens. This is in an attempt to address issues such as urbanisation, pollution and traffic. Here are five incredible examples of smart cities in the U.S and Canada:
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1. San Fransisco, California 
San Fransisco is the gateway to Silicon Valley and attracts billions of dollars a year in technology investments, so it’s no surprise that the city has made our top 5. The city is currently implementing a wide range of smart city initiatives with a particular focus on reducing energy usage. The city currently has over 300 LEED-certified buildings and hopes to create a connected vehicle grid so that autonomous vehicles can share data and follow traffic guidance.
Their SFpark smart parking system that was launched in 2011 is worth a mention here. Parking usage is monitored via sensors placed in the asphalt and the data is fed to smart parking meters that change their prices according to availability and time of day.
2. Vancouver 
Vancouver runs on over 90% sustainable energy and emits the fewest greenhouse gases per capita of any major North American city. Vancouver has been able to achieve results thanks to their use of real-time data and technology, which has increased connectivity, sustainability and convenience.
Smart city initiatives include accessible WiFi in 755 public spaces, wired bike sharing, electrical vehicle plug-in spots, and video feeds in busy intersections to smooth traffic. Vancouver’s green plan has been further developed due to mandates for green buildings, renewable energy, and sustainable mass transit.
3. New York 
Unsurprisingly, New York finds itself on most smart city lists. The Big Apple has many initiatives focusing on water and waste management, traffic management and tourism, navigation and mobility. NYC even hosts the Smart City New York Conference. The New York City Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation is constantly carrying out efforts to conserve resources, reduce environmental impacts, and improve the quality of life for its residents.
The city recently launched a pilot program that installed hundreds of smart sensors to monitor waste levels. Also, in a different pilot program, the city equipped five city fleet vehicles with solar-powered sensors to collect and compare air quality in different neighborhoods in the South Bronx. Impressive if you ask us!
4. Washington DC
Washington is one of America’s number one smart cities. Their movement analytics program uses data from video cameras to identify who and what is moving through the city, including cars, buses, pedestrians, and bikes. The data is then analysed to make better decisions about how to direct traffic and identify where resources are needed such as bike lanes and other areas of infrastructure.
Washington DC has also recently launched a new initiative to make their city smarter by powering the city with 75,000 inteliLIGHT streetlight controllers. The $309 million project will reduce energy use by more than 50%, improve equity of service, and extend Wi-Fi coverage in undeserved neighborhoods.
5. Austin, Texas 
It would be unfair for us not to mention Austin (call us bias if you will) as it is one of the most technologically advanced cities in the United States. The city has a modernised electric grid which makes it easier to integrate renewable energy sources and charge the ever-growing fleet of electric vehicles. It is one Americas most fast-growing cities, with a steady stream of talent to support this growth.
Free Wi-Fi in public parks and 5G trials are among many of the city’s other initiatives. Austin is also the home of Austin Energy which provides accessible electric charging all over the city. Local initiatives such as the Texas Department of Transportation, the University pf Texas and Austin Energy are working hard to fulfill its ambitious objectives
