Dallas' West End Is Getting ‘smarter' With Free Wi-Fi, Parking Sensors

Free Wi-Fi and high-tech parking lots are debuting in the West End, a downtown Dallas neighborhood that's become a test ground for how technology can conserve resources and improve the quality of life in cities. They are the next phase of a project led by the Dallas Innovation Alliance, a nonprofit made up of the city of Dallas and dozens of large companies and startups. The group chose the West End as its testing ground because of its downtown Dallas location, access to public transit and mix of office buildings, apartments and restaurants.Across the globe, cities are using new technology and tech-enabled insights to become "smart cities" and solve urban challenges from crime to pollution. For example, New York City has replaced pay phones with kiosks that provide free high-speed internet, device charging and city maps. Barcelona has installed sensors to monitor air quality and parking availability and intelligent streetlights that can adjust brightness in crowded parts of the city.Starting in the spring, the Dallas Innovation Alliance installed digital kiosks that people can use to navigate the West End or even snap a selfie. It added intelligent LED street lighting, solar-powered environmental sensors and sensors that track pedestrian foot traffic.   Continue reading...