Google's Sidewalk Labs has picked 15 cities across the country to use in a study of self-driving cars, three of which are in Colorado: Denver, Lone Tree, and Centennial.
The effort is underway in order to determine how various types of technology, from data management systems to self-driving cars can improve mobility in urban areas.
Centennial was invited to join the select group of cities taking part in the Smart Cities Collaborative contest because it has been actively reconsidering traffic options available to its workers and residents. In August 2016, Centennial joined with Lyft, a ride-sharing service, to provide free transportation from and to Dry Creek. In order to request a ride, patrons use technology—they contact Lyft via the mobile app known as ‘Go Centennial’.
Cathy Noon, Centennial's mayor, said the city is looking forward to learning how to improve mobility for its residents, and sharing what it learns. The major of Lone Tree, Jacqueline A. Millet, added that the Smart Cities Collaborative allows communities to join with each other, and with some of the smartest people in the country, to talk about mobility and transportation. Those cities in the program are expected to share what they learn with each other and with experts in the field, and devise pilot programs to be shared as well.
Government agencies like these can benefit by working with postcard printing companies, which can create return mailers for people to use to comment on issues.
