News & Events - Metro21: Smart Cities Institute

Lunch & Learn: Rethinking Power System Architecture for Serving Exurban Residential Paradigms with Panayiotis Moutis

Join us and the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation on Thursday, November 14 in the Bosch Conference Room in Scott Hall to hear from Panayiotis Moutis, Systems Scientist, on Planned Communities (PC) and how they aim to decongest the population growth out of the city centers, offering relief of urban environments and the reduction of pollution in major cities.

Rapid Flow Receives the Pittsburgh Technology Council's Startup of the Year Award

Rapid Flow, a start-up spun out of Carnegie Mellon University, received the “Pittsburgh Tech 50 Startup of the Year” award at the 2019 Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Tech 50 Awards. Rapid Flow Technologies LLC., spun out of Carnegie Mellon University, is working to introduce new Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies into the marketplace.

Traffic21's 10-Year Anniversary

Ten years ago, Traffic21 was challenged by the Hillman Foundation to research, develop and deploy intelligent transportation systems in Pittsburgh. The institute applied an innovative model leveraging leading-edge technology development, world-class policy research and real-world public and private partnerships. Join us on November 7 & 8 for the Tenth Anniversary Symposium!

Gearing Up for Another Season of Night Owl Bakers

Metro21 is excited to announce that the Night Owl Bakers(NOB) program is officially gearing up for another season of baking! The group will be meeting Saturdays from 9:00am-4:30pm at Propel’s Community Wellness Center in the Northside of Pittsburgh.

Lunch & Learn: Algorithmic Bias in Criminal Justice

Join us on Friday, November 1st, 2019 in Hamburg Hall, Room 1002 for a panel discussion on the policy implications of algorithmic bias in criminal justice featuring Heinz College's Wil Gorr, Dan Nagin, and Alexandra Chouldechova.

Building the World's Smart Airport, Improving Rural Mobility & A New Look - Metro21's Fall Newsletter

Metro21 released our Fall Newsletter! To stay up to date on our latest research, news and events, subscribe to our mailing list!

Lunch & Learn: Remaking Cities for a Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Future: Learning from Pittsburgh & Beyond with Ray Gastil

Join us on September 26, 2019 in Hamburg Hall Room 1006 to hear from Ray Gastil, David Lewis Director of Urban Design and Regional Engagement in the School of Architecture at CMU.

New Science Fiction Novel Brings Awareness to Light Pollution

A recently released science fiction anthology features 21 unique stories focused on spreading awareness of the effects of light pollution. Editor Diane Turnshek also heads CMU’s project on light pollution mapping in the City of Pittsburgh.

Service… More than our Mission Lunch and Learn

Metro21 will welcome Waynesburg University President, Douglas G. Lee, for a Lunch and Learn event focused on inspired service. Inspired service has been a pillar of the Waynesburg University community and curriculum since our founding. Lunch will be provided, please email Chelsea Cavlovic to RSVP, and join us on Monday, October 28th for this presentation!

Metro21 Executive Director to Speak at CO2 Urban Synthesis & Analysis Workshop

Executive Director Karen Lightman has been invited to speak on panel at CO2-Urban Synthesis and Analysis Workshop this coming October to discuss Metro21’s partnership with the City of Pittsburgh on clean air projects.

New Course: Policy Innovation Lab

Metro21 is proud to partner with the initiative, Policy Innovation Lab, to bring students a hands-on approach to solving community challenges this fall

Podcast: Industrial to Innovative: A Conversation with Pittsburgh Director of Innovation and Performance, Santiago Garces

Metro21 Executive Director, Karen Lightman sat down with Director of Innovation and Performance for the City of Pittsburgh, Santiago Garces to discuss innovation within 21st century cities.

Carnegie Mellon Awarded Planning Grant: Engineering Research Center for Autonomous Sustainable Urban Systems (ATLAS)

A Carnegie Mellon team, including Metro21, received a planning grant to develop the Autonomous susTainabLe urbAn Systems (ATLAS). ATLAS will create a future where autonomous systems in a community work together to facilitate its sustainability and enhance its governance, thus significantly improving the quality of life of its residents.

"Triangulation: Dark Skies" Book Reading and Signing Event

Join us for a free reading/signing event of Mary Soon Lee's "Triangulation: Dark Skies", an anthology of 21 speculative fiction stories about stars and light pollution.

Metro21 to Help Lead DOE Team on Rural Mobility

A new task force started by the U.S. Department of Energy, led by Metro21 member Sean Qian and including fellow member Rick Stafford and Executive Director Karen Lightman, has been created to improve mobility in rural Southwestern Pennsylvania. Continuing Metro21's collaborative relationship with Waynesburg University, as well as many other community partners, Metro21 is committed to having a positive impact on the greater Pittsburgh region and beyond.

Metro21 Research Helping to Predict Landslides

Landslides in the United States are becoming increasingly more common and more severe due to climate change. Christoph Mertz, the principal project scientist at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute, started taking pictures of the hills overlooking Pittsburgh’s West End on his smartphone. Mertz’s curiosity eventually turned into a research project sponsored by Metro21.

Rayid Ghani joins Carnegie Mellon University

Rayid Ghani joins Carnegie Mellon University as a Distinguished Career Professor with a joint appointment to the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy and the School of Computer Science. He will continue his work as a leader in harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence, data science and other emerging technologies for social good. His work in these areas complements the research being done in CMU's Metro21: Smart Cities Institute.

Axios Expert Voice Feature: How cities are cutting down on light pollution

Metro21’s Executive Director, Karen Lightman dives into light pollution in her latest Expert Voice article with Axios. In the article Karen describes why light pollution matters and how we can use technology to reduce it.

Metro21 Research Featured in The Baltimore Sun

SURTRAC technology, a CMU/Metro21 project, has been featured as a solution to Baltimore's traffic congestion

CO2-USA Workshop, October 7-8

The CO2-USA's third workshop on city greenhouse gas reduction will be held in Boston, MA from October 7-8

The Role of Academic Libraries Lunch and Learn

Metro21's first Lunch and Learn event of the 2019-2020 academic year on the role of academic libraries in geography and GIS education

Executive Director Karen Lightman talks solving real world problems with public data

Executive Director Karen Lightman is featured in Xinova's interview series from the Annual IRI Conference from this May.

Metro21, NSF host Sustainable Urban Systems Workshop

Researchers from government, academia, and industry gathered for a workshop on sustainable urban systems.

Vote for Metro21 Panel on Broadband Expansion

Help us take Metro21 to South By Southwest (SXSW) by voting today

Podcast: Smartest Airport in the World: An Interview with PIT's Sam Stedford

Metro21's Executive Director Karen Lightman sits down with PIT Airport's Sam Stedford to discuss the airport's approach to becoming the world's smartest airport.

PIT Airport uses CMU tech to improve travelers' trips

Metro21's partner, the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) uses CMU's Zensors and NavCog technology to improve airport navigation for travelers.

Karen Lightman delivers Keynote Remarks at President's Partner Recognition Breakfast

Metro21's Executive Director Karen Lightman delivered keynote remarks at the July 23 Waynesburg University President's Partner Recognition Breakfast

EcoDistricts Summit heads to Pittsburgh, Nov 4-5

Metro21 is excited to welcome the EcoDistricts Summit to Pittsburgh for their 10th Anniversary

2019 MetroLab Summit, Sept 19-20

MetroLab, a Metro21 partner, will be hosting their annual summit September 19-20 in Boulder, CO

Metro21 featured in Atlanta Business Chronicle following May visit

Metro21's Executive Director Karen Lightman was quoted in a recent article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle detailing a visit to Pittsburgh by over 100 municipal leaders

Metro21 Featured in Ethical Corp Magazine

Metro21's Executive Director Karen Lightman provides her expertise in Ethical Corporation's July Magazine, "Technology for Good."

Metro21 Executive Director Talks "Airport Efficiency Projects" with Axios

Executive Director Karen Lightman talks about the benefits automation could have in the airport industry and provides insights to implementation.

Metro21 welcomes Argo AI to CMU

Metro21: Smart Cities Institute welcomes Argo AI to CMU's Campus

Lunch with Secretary Foxx, Insightful Podcasts & Smart City Projects - Metro21 Summer Newsletter

Metro21's Summer Newsletter detailing the highlights of the academic year and the most recent events and projects from the institute. The release features media mentions and podcasts as well, building on Metro21's momentum in Pittsburgh and beyond.

Metro21 2018-2019 Academic Year Impact

The 2018-2019 academic year has proven to be a period of exponential growth for Metro21: Smart Cities Institute. Through a series of lunch & learns for the Carnegie Mellon community, leading panels at more than 15 conferences, hosting informative podcasts with research partners, and numerous media features, Metro21 has become an authority in smart cities.

Metro21, International Dark-Sky Association host Dark Skies Conference

On June 1, members of the Pittsburgh community gathered to investigate how the city can reduce light pollution, steps for equitable transformation, and a dedication to maintaining starry nights for generations to come.

Karen Lightman addresses Summer Learning Series, Talks IoT

Metro21's Karen Lightman spoke to attendees of the Heinz Executive Education Program's Summer Learning Series. The topic was Internet of Things and Karen shared projects and progress that Metro21 has made in Pittsburgh and beyond on smart and connected cities.

Secretary Foxx Joins Metro21 for Lunch

To close the academic year, Secretary Foxx joined Metro21 Smart Cities Institute’s faculty, staff, and students for an end-of-the-year lunch. During the Metro21-hosted lunch, Foxx learned more about a wide variety of Metro21 research projects and student’s interest in the future of cities, transportation, and policy.

Metro21 Faculty Awarded Posner, Molloy, and Pietrandrea Career Development Chair in Civil Engineering

Metro21 faculty, Sean Qian has been awarded the Posner, Molloy, and Pietrandrea Career Development Chair in Civil Engineering. The position supports faculty early in their academic career in their mission to advance research and build out meaningful impact in the community and field of civil engineering.

Metro21 featured at Shady Side Academy's Innovation Speakers Series

On April 30, 2019, Metro21: Smart Cities Institute’s Executive Director, Karen Lightman, was a featured speaker at the Innovation Speakers Series hosted at Shady Side Academy.

Metro21 joins panel at Pittsburgh Entrepreneurs Forum Event

The Pittsburgh Entrepreneurs Forum is serving the Pittsburgh community by connecting people through different events that focus on a variety of facets of the regionals entrepreneurial development. The Forums most recent event was entitled “Technology of the people, by the people, and for the people: How Pittsburgh is leading the way for technology-enabled government” and Metro21's Exec. Director presented how CMU is helping lead the way.

Metro21 Presents to Atlanta's Leadership Involvement Networking Knowledge Group

From May 15 – May 18, 2019, The Leadership Involvement Networking Knowledge (LINK) from the Atlanta Regional Commission visited Pittsburgh to learn about new ideas and approaches for dealing with the issues and challenges facing metro areas.

Dark Skies Conference on June 1 at Carnegie Mellon University

Join us on June 1, 2019 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Carnegie Mellon University to learn about the consequences of artificial light at night. The conference will consider the human medical effects of artificial light at night, disruption on the nighttime ecosystem, safety issues, and impact on astronomical research.

Metro21 Hosts Colorado Springs Regional Leaders

On May 1 and May 2, 2019, Metro21 in partnership with Traffic21 welcomed Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation and their Regional Leaders to the City of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.

Metro21 Panel to Discuss Smart Cities at Modeling the World's Systems Conference in Washington D.C.

On May 13 – 15, 2019 in Washington D.C., the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Computing and Information is hosting the Modeling the World’s Systems Conference. Metro21: Smart Cities Institute will be leading a panel to explore real-world use cases of applying technology to improve decision making in a wide array of applications and implications.

Metro21 Moderates Smart City Panel at IRI Conference

The 2019 IRI Annual Conference was held in Pittsburgh from April 29 – May 2, 2019. The annual conference is focused on convening innovation partners to tackle hot button issues in digital transportation and strategic solutions.

How AVs Could Help Respond to Disasters

Are autonomous vehicles the answer to optimizing natural disaster response? In an article for Axios, Metro21: Smart Cities Institute Executive Director Karen Lightman highlights the way AVs might play a role in a more connected, safer future for disaster response efforts.

Podcast: Delft University of Technology

This episode of the Metro21: Smart Cities Institute podcast features an insightful discussion with a team of researchers from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. The team is part of a special research, design and implementation partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

WTAE Covers Metro21's Landslide Analysis Project

WTAE, Pittsburgh's Action News Channel, paid a visit to Metro21 to learn more about what we are doing to prevent landslides by spotting hillside issues early.

Lunch and Learn: The Fundamentals of Smart Cities with Santi Garces

Join us on May 3, 2019 at 12pm - 1:00 pm for the Metro21 Lunch and Learn with Santi Garces, Director of Innovation and Performance of the City of Pittsburgh entitled "The Fundamentals of Smart Cities".

Urban Data Eye Update

The Metro21 Project Understanding Public Space Use in Market Square worked to better understand how Pittsburghers use Market Square, in order to inform future planning decisions. The project used a toolkit developed by Urban Data Eye (UDE), a company co-founded by the projects principal investigator, Javier Argota Sanchez-Vaquerizo.

Metro21 quoted in Atlanta's Bisnow

Metro21’s Executive Director Karen Lightman was interviewed by Bisnow's featured series, Atlanta Suburban Restructuring, regarding concerns about inequitable development.

The City of Pittsburgh, OnePGH, and Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals

In collaboration with the City of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College, the Brookings Institution, and Metro21: Smart Cities Institute are pleased to convene a public panel to highlight the value proposition for cities and communities aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Pittsburgh’s Night Owl Baker’s week of Entrepreneurship Program

Karen Lightman, executive director of Metro21, has been invited to Pittsburgh’s Night Owl Baker’s week of entrepreneurship program. As part of the entrepreneurship program, Karen will be a guest judge for the pitch/“minnow tank” part of the program. Participants in the program will present their products to a panel, successful pitches will win a grant from Night Owl Bakers.

Latham Street Commons Creates Night Owl Bakers – a Workforce and Career Readiness Program

Latham Street Commons (LSC) is a living idea – and therefore continuously adapting and changing depending on resources and demand. However, one thing will always remain consistent: the team will not abandon their commitment to create a culture of care that affirms the value and resiliency of all people. In fact, LSC has evolved from experimenting with growing food into a social enterprise for young adults from severely underserved communities called the Night Owl Bakers.

Metro21 Lunch and Learn: Advancing Industry Via Design – A Case from the Netherlands

On Tuesday April 9, 2019, Metro21 is hosting KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Delft University of Technology for a Lunch & Learn at 12:00 pm in Hamburg Hall Room 1002.

Metro21 Podcast: Energy and Sustainability with Anna Siefken

This episode of the Metro21: Smart Cities Institute podcast features a talk with Anna Siefken, Executive Director of Carnegie Mellon’s Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation and adjunct faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College.

Metro21 Executive Director Expert Voice Axios Article: How sensor data can help cities improve public spaces

Metro21 Executive Director, Karen Lightman, is an ongoing contributor to Axios as an Expert Voice. In Lightman’s latest article “How sensor data can help cities improve public spaces” she highlights how Metro21 projects collect data for quality-of-life improvements.

Metro21 and Smart Cities Dive Discuss Public-Private Partnerships

Metro21’s Executive Director Karen Lightman was interviewed by Smart Cities Dive to talk about the importance of dialogue and collaboration between government, industry, and academia.

Round-Up of RoadBotics Awards & Accomplishments

Roadbotics, founded in 2016 at the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute, set out to create a way for cities to have automated and affordable road surveys using smartphones. Over the past 6 months, Roadbotics have won multiple awards and contracts for its innovative solution to better monitor the condition of street pavement in cities around the country.

Lunch and Learn: Light Smart: dark-sky friendly artificial lighting with Diane Turnshek

Join Metro21 on February 15, 2019 in Hamburg Hall to hear from Diane Turnshek. She will discuss how we've lost our connection to the night sky, and how the City of Pittsburgh is trying to reconnect citizens by refitting 40K streetlights over the next two years -- replacing high pressure sodium vapor bulbs with much more efficient, 2700K or less, shielded, dimmable LEDs and creating clear nthe first, publicly available, high resolution light pollution map of a city.

Metro21 January Newsletter

We kick off the newsletter with project updates from the Inaugural Metro21 Call for Proposals grantees. It’s been about 3 months since we awarded funding to 12 pilot projects and they're already making an impact. Check out the newsletter to learn more.

Metro21 Exec. Director joins New York Women Executives in Real Estate (WX) for Panel

On February 7, Executive Director Karen Lightman joined the New York Women Executives in Real Estate (WX) for a breakfast panel on the Future of Transportation and Its Effect on Urban Centers

Women Executives Breakfast in NYC on Feb 7, 2019

Metro21's Executive Director, Karen Lightman is a panelist at the New York Women Executives in Real Estate (WX) is hosting the WX February Breakfast - The Future of Transportation and It's Effect On Urban Centers on February 7, 2019 at 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM at the Harvard Club in NYC.

Metro21 Podcast: Using Data Analytics to Solve Complex Societal Challenges with Alexandre Jacquillat

On this podcast we talk to Alexandre Jacquillat, a cross-functional professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Alex’s work focuses on using operations research and data analytics to solve complex societal challenges in the fields of air transportation and on-demand urban mobility.

Metro21’s Exec. Director Joins MetroLab Network’s Board of Directors

Metro21: Smart Cities Institute elected to the MetroLab Network's Board of Directors for the 2019 - 2022 term.

Metro21 Executive Director Talks about AI and Potholes in Axios

Metro21's Executive Director, Karen Lightman, has taken on another role: Expert Voice for Axios. In her latest article "AI Takes on Potholes" she describes how poor infrastructure has a lot of consequences, including the delay of AVs deployment.

MobilityLab: In Pittsburgh, machine learning improves traffic for all road users – not just cars

MobilityLab sat down with Metro21's Executive Director, Karen Lightman to discuss how Pittsburgh is using Surtrac technology to make roads safer for all road users and not just more efficient for cars.

Lecture Series at Heinz College Featuring Dan O'Brien on January 29

Dan O'Brien, Associate Professor in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs and the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University, is coming to Heinz College on January 29, 2019 to talk about his new book, "The Urban Commons: How Data and Technology Can Rebuild Our Communities"

Metro21 Lunch & Learn with Nick Muller

Metro21 Lunch and Learn on January 18 will feature Nicholas Z. Muller, Lester and Judith Lave Associate Professor of Economics, Engineering, and Public Policy, Tepper School of Business, Department of Engineering and Public Policy who will talk about "An Index for Economic and Environmental Performance: Methods with an Application to Pittsburgh"

Pittsburgh Airport Innovation Campus (PAIC) Announcement

On December 6, 2018, the Allegheny County Airport Authority broke ground on the Pittsburgh Airport Innovation Campus (PAIC), a new mixed-use campus near the Pittsburgh International Airport.

Pittsburgh’s Smart Traffic Signal's Started at CMU

Mayor Bill Peduto recently announced an expansion of Pittsburgh’s “smart” traffic signals, investing more than $11 million to reduce travel time for Pittsburgh commuters. Smart traffic-management systems have been in Pittsburgh since 2012 with the Launch of a Smart City's project.

CMU Professor Wants Pittsburgh to be The Smartest of Smart Cities

Pittsburgh Magazine features Carnegie Mellon University’s Computer Science and Robotics Professor, Jessica Hodgins and her dream for Pittsburgh becoming the Smartest of the Smart Cities.

7 Things You Can Do for Your Community - Metro21 Exec. Director Quoted in Forbes

Metro21’s Executive Director, Karen Lightman, was featured in a Forbes Magazine article about her appearance at the Brookings Institute’s panel on cities initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and combat climate change.

Brookings & CMU Co-Host Sustainable Development Goals Event

On November 29, 2018, the Global Economy and Development Program at Brookings and Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy will co-host an event with the City of Pittsburgh and development experts to explore the value proposition of the SDGs for U.S. cities.

Metro21 Faculty, Don Carter Presents at City of Asylum

Metro21 Faculty, Don Carter, presents his book new book "Remaking Post-Industrial Cities" at City of Asylum @ Alphabet City Book Store.

Metro21 Podcast: Diane Turnshek Talks Light Pollution and the Night Sky

In this episode of the Metro21 podcast, Karen Lightman talks with Diane Turnshek about light pollution. Diane defines light pollution, describes why it's a problem and offers solutions.

Metro21 is tied to Montgomery, Alabama's Smart City Award

Metro21’s faculty Christopher Mertz was a driving force in Montgomery, Alabama being recognized nationally as one of the most technologically advanced cities in the country. The City of Montgomery was awarded the 2018 Digital Cities Survey from the Center for Digital Government.

Metro21 Executive Director Talks "The Curb" in Axios

Metro21: Smart Cities Institute's Executive Director, Karen Lightman, published in Axios for her article titled "Ride-sharing and AVs will primpt cities to rethink the curb."

Metro21 Faculty, Don Carter in U.S. News

U.S. News featured their article “Banking on the River” and Metro21 Faculty, Don Carter, Director of Remaking Cities Institute at CMU, is featured in the article describing how post-industrial cities are replacing steel mills with trees and parks.

Metro21 Lunch and Learn with Grant Ervin

Lunch and Learn featuring the “State of Activity of PGH Office of Resiliency” with Metro21 on October 30 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. in Hamburg Hall Room 1002 at Carnegie Mellon University.

Research Article: The smart city: challenges for the civil engineering sector

The concept of the smart city has been rising for over a decade but what has been less understood is the distinct ways in which engineering, and particularly digital infrastructure, is related to and affects social, political and economic processes.

Rail~Volution Comes to Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh has been changing the way people think about mobility - and the way people think about Pittsburgh. From a leader in steel to a leader in smart traffic light technology, autonomous vehicles, bike lanes and transportation policy, it’s no surprise Rail~Volution has decided to host their annual conference in the Steel City.

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx joins Metro21

Secretary Anthony Foxx has been appointed distinguished executive in residence at CMU, and will work with Metro21 to help students understand how to most effectively bring people, policy and technology together to significantly improve the quality of life for citizens living in metropolitan areas.

Metro21 Director, Raj Rajkumar is quoted on Autonomous Vehicles in Axios

Raj Rajkumar, Director of Metro21: Smart Cities Institute is quoted in Axios: "Driving is the most complex activity that most adults engage in on a regular basis, just because we do it doesn't mean we can teach computers to easily do it. It will be many more years for full automation.

Metro21 Faculty Awarded Over $2.5M as Part of DOE’s Advanced Vehicle Technologies Research Investment

To continue to improve energy efficiency and increase mobility intelligence, Metro21’s, Sean Qian and Costa Samaras were awarded over $2.5 million in combined funding from the Department of Energy.

Inaugural Grant Cycle Reveals Smart Cities Innovation Across CMU

Metro21’s first call for research proposals as a university-wide institute was a great success, yielding proposals from researchers housed at every college on campus, with topics ranging from equitable mobility to public safety and citizen engagement. Grantees are announced.

Driverless Cars Run on Data Not Gasoline

Metro21 Director, Raj Rajkumar, was in New York City to speak on a Panel at the Bloomberg Live Event, “The Value of Data." The event focused on looking through the lens of emerging technologies like IoT, Blockchain and more, to examine how data is becoming the world’s most valuable asset, making innovation possible and transforming the way we make decisions for the future.

The City of Tomorrow Challenge is in Pittsburgh Today!

How might we design commutes in Pittsburgh that are seamless, welcoming, and intuitive? Submit your proposals for improving the way people move around Pittsburgh for a chance to win up to $100K to bring your idea to life. Proposals will be accepted until September 18, 2018.

Dean Krishnan is a Keynote Speaker at QS in Conversation in Singapore

The upcoming QS in Conversation Seminar with the theme University-Public Sector Partnerships and a focus on Smart Cities is being held in Singapore on October 3 – October 5 and the Dean of Heinz College, Krishnan Ramayya, is a keynote speaker.

Metro21 Podcast: Using Data to Find Solutions with Erin Dalton

In this episode, Karen sits down with Erin Dalton, Allegheny County’s Deputy Director in the Office of Data Analysis, Research and Evaluation. Listen to hear how she has been at the forefront of using data and heavy analysis to find solutions to complex problems here in the Pittsburgh region. Also, you might be surprised with her job and multiple board memberships, what she does to relax.

Tesla Offers Two Week Trial of Autopilot

Tesla is offering a two week free trial of their Autopilot feature - but are American roads ready for "assisted mobility" cars? Read what Metro21 Director, Raj Rajkumar thinks about the technology.

Metro21 Lunch & Learn with Bob Gradeck

Metro21: Smart Cities Institute is launching a new Lunch and Learn Speaker Series. Join us on September 28 at 12:00 in Hamburg Hall Room 1005 for free lunch and an engaging presentation from Bob Gradeck of the Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center.

2018 NASPAA Annual Conference

The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) is hosting their annual conference in Atlanta Georgia on October 10 – 13, 2018 and Metro21 will be represented by our Exec. Director, Karen Lightman.

MetroLab Network Annual Summit 2018

The MetroLab Network Annual Summit is open for registration! The Summit is October 15 & October 16 at Hotel Indigo in Newark, NJ. Metro21's Exec. Director, Karen Lightman will be moderating the panel on "Programs that Strengthen City/University Partnerships."

Metro21’s Director, Raj Rajkumar, Moderates Conversation at Tepper Quad's Grand Opening

Join Metro21's Director, Raj Rajkumar for a Moderated Conversation: At the Intersection of Technology and Business:Smart Home, Smart Car, Smart City at the inaugural Tepper School of Business Presents INTERSECT@CMU on Friday, September 14.

Metro21 Director, Raj Rajkumar, Comments on PennDOT’s New Guidance for Automated Vehicles

Director of Metro21: Smart Cities Institute gives a comment to TribLIVE on PennDOT's new Guidance for Increased Safety Oversight of Highly Automated Vehicles.

Metro21 Podcast: Unlocking the Power of Mobility with Karina Ricks

In this episode, Karen sits down with her friend and colleague, Karina Ricks. Karen and Karina chat about her time in international development, consulting, and Karina's fascination with a certain genre of reality television.

Metro21 Discusses Collaborative Problem Solving in Cities on Comcast Newsmakers

Karen Lightman, Executive Director of Metro21: Smart Cities Institute, talks with host Sheila Hyland from Comcast Newsmakers about collaborative initiatives and using science to solve problems in cities and communities.

Metro21's Project, Surtrac 2.0, Featured in The Wall Street Journal

Metro21 Project Featured in Wall Street Journal: Artificial Intelligence May Make Traffic Congestion a Thing of the Past

Metro21 Podcast: Commitment to Place with Rick Stafford

In this episode, Karen sits down with Distinguished Fellow Rick Stafford. Rick talks about his commitment to place, his winding path from paper boy to policymaker, and his approach to understanding smart cities.

Metro21: Call for Research Proposals

We are looking to fund new projects that seek to improve the quality of life in metropolitan areas. Send us your best ideas.

Metro21 Podcast: The Science of Smart Cities with Director Raj Rajkumar

In our second episode, Karen sits down with CMU Professor Raj Rajkumar, Director of Metro21. They discuss his background, his journey to and through autonomous vehicle technology, and the science of smart cities.

3D Visualization Project Highlighted by CMU

In a recent article, Carnegie Mellon University highlighted our project with the Remaking Cities Institute.

Highlights from the Metro21: Smart Cities Institute Launch Event

On March 1st and 2nd, we celebrated the launch of the Metro21: Smart Cities Institute! We are starting a new phase in our mission to improve the quality of life in metropolitan areas through Research, Development, and Deployment of smart cities technologies.

CMU and Allegheny County Airport Authority Sign MOU

Carnegie Mellon University and the Allegheny County Airport Authority announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

Launch of the Metro21: Smart Cities Institute Podcast

In our inaugural episode, Director Karen Lightman sits down with Prof. Kleiman to discuss his new book, A New City O/S: The Power of Open, Collaborative, and Distributed Governance.

City and Carnegie Mellon Highlight Fire Prediction Analytics Work

Mayor William Peduto joined officials from the Departments of Public Safety and Innovation & Performance and from Carnegie Mellon University to detail collaborative efforts to use data sharing to provide Pittsburgh residents with better city services.

Videos from the Metro21 Institute Launch

Videos from the Metro21 Institute Launch event are now available.

Launching the Metro21: Smart Cities Institute

Carnegie Mellon University hosted a one-day conference on March 2 to formally launch the Metro21: Smart Cities Institute, a university-wide effort for research, development and deployment of solutions to improve the quality of life in communities.

PIPLA Breakfast Meeting

Karen Lightman spoke at Pennsylvania Intellectual Property Law Association (PIPLA) Breakfast Meeting on Innovation and Performance Initiatives in Pittsburgh

Metro21 Panel Discussion with Neil Kleiman and Local Government Officials

New York University professor Neil Kleiman shares the latest from his book co-authored with former mayor and Harvard professor Stephen Goldsmith, A New City O/S: The Power of Open, Collaborative, and Distributed Governance.

CMU Highlighted in CityLab Interview with Mayor Peduto

In an interview from CityLab, Richard Florida points to the historic Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Pittsburgh and CMU as a driver of innovation in the city.

Fire Risk Project Named MetroLab's Innovation of the Month

Our Fire Risk Analysis Project - in partnership with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire - has been chosen as MetroLab's Innovation of the Month for January.

Blog: Stone Soup and Smart Cities

Creating a viable smart city is a lot like the old folk tale of stone soup. Everyone needs to bring something to the community pot in order for everyone to benefit.

A New City O/S with Neil Kleiman

Presented in partnership with Metro21: Smart Cities Initiative, Heinz College is pleased to present New York University professor Neil Kleiman who will share the latest from his book "A New City O/S: The Power of Open, Collaborative, and Distributed Governance."

Karen Lightman Featured in EE Times' Women in Tech Series

Karen Lightman, executive director of Metro21, speaks mentors and motherhood in Electronic Engineering Times' Women in Tech series.

Carter Receives 2017 American Institute of Architects PA Medal of Distinction

Don Carter, a Metro21 faculty person and David Lewis director of Urban Design and Regional Engagement of CMU's Remaking Cities Institute, received the 2017 American Institute of Architects Pennsylvania Medal of Distinction for his contributions to architecture.

Helping Stop Crime Before It Occurs

CMU Metro21-funded researchers develop predictive policing model as a new tool for community policing and reducing crime.

Metro21 Technologies Win Le Monde Smart Cities Competition

Surtrac, an innovative, real-time traffic signal control technology from Carnegie Mellon University's Metro21: Smart Cities Initiative, has won the Le Monde Smart Cities Global Innovation Award in the mobility category.

LED Street Light Research Project Part II

Steve Quick, Don Carter, Kayvon Fatahalian, Cynthia Limauro at The Remaking Cities Institute (RCI) at CMU partnered with the City of Pittsburgh and C&C Lighting to test the effects of installing LED streetlights throughout Pittsburgh. Is there more than meets the eye?