Atlanta just took another step toward becoming a smart city
In pursuit of emerging technology, the City of Atlanta has produced a new request for proposals inviting businesses to partner on the city’s next generation of smart city projects.
The RFP, released Dec. 29, details a wish list of various project that are part of the Atlanta SmartCity Strategic Infrastructure Initiative, a plan that uses a combination of private sector partnerships and new technologies to improve the city.
The document highlights a desire to increase internet connectivity through fiber optics and to install smart lighting and smart utility poles to collect environmental data. Atlanta is also showing an interest in interactive kiosks, small cell antennas for potential 5G wireless, smart traffic infrastructure and upgrading its city vehicles with a new management system that improves safety and effectiveness.
The city says that the driving force behind the RFP is a growing population that will require its services to scale rapidly in coming years.
“These increases create new challenges in handling street traffic, foot traffic, and data traffic, as well ensuring a safe and sustainable environment for the city’s residents and businesses,” the RFP notes. “Technological advances in fiber, wireless, sensors, big data analytics, and connected devices have created avenues for the city to meet those demands.”
Officials say they expect to pay for potential projects with a $250 million infrastructure bond and that the smart city infrastructure must create cost savings to offset these costs.
The RFP application process closes on Jan. 25.
