Carnegie Mellon University ———
Metro21: Smart Cities Institute  ›  News & Events

News & Events

CMU researchers across multiple disciplines bring their expertise together through the Metro21: Smart Cities Institute. Their game-changing urban solutions are getting attention.

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 Talks Waterfront Development with 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.

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.

fMetro21 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?

Latest Tweets