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In the World of Smart Cities, No One Wants a ‘One-Hit Wonder’

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman was recently highlighted by GovTech discussing "one-hit wonders" in smart cities.

Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition Announces Community Strategic Plan

On December 6, Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman was in attendance as City of Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and County Executive Fitzgerald held a press conference to announce the publication of a community strategic plan from the Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition to close the digital divide in the region by 2030.

Metro21 Joins ITS America Committee

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman has been named Co-Chair to the AI & Digital Transformation Working Group with the Intelligent Transportation Society of America's announcement of the 2024 committee leadership.

ENAiBLE Webinar Features Metro21

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman joined Karina Ricks of CityFi and Sarah Fox of CMU for the ENAiBLE Webinar, "The Last Mile - Challenges for Retail and Service Delivery and Employee Transportation" on December 14, 2023.

User-Centered Research and Evaluation Course Ends Semester with Smart Loading Zone Presentations

Professor Raelin Musuraca's User-Centered Research & Evaluation Course presented their end of semester findings and future directions for the Smart Loading Zone pilot program on December 13, 2023.

Allegheny County Executive-Elect Announces Transition Teams

On December 6, 2023, Allegheny County Executive-Elect Sara Innamorato named Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman to the Reliable, Modern Transportation & Infrastructure Committee as part of her transition policy team.
Safety21 University Transportation Center Hosts Deployment Partner Consortium Symposium

Safety21 University Transportation Center Hosts Deployment Partner Consortium Symposium

On November 16, 2023, the Safety21 University Transportation Center (UTC) hosted their annual Deployment Partner Consortium Symposium. The Safety21 UTC is led by Metro21 Director Raj Rajkumar and Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman.
Metro21 Meets with ARC in Washington, DC

Metro21 Meets with ARC in Washington, DC

On November 29, 2023, Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman joined Gayle Manchin and Jim Sinnette from the Appalachian Regional Commission in Washington, DC to discuss the Metro21 planning grant.
Michael Baker Hosts Workshop for PennSTART Design

Michael Baker Hosts Workshop for PennSTART Design

On November 13, 2023, Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman joined representatives involved in the PennSTART test track program for an all-day workshop focused on design.
Metro21 Participates in Public Interest Tech and Civic Data Panel

Metro21 Participates in Public Interest Tech and Civic Data Panel

On November 2, 2023, Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman joined experts from the University of Pittsburgh for a panel to discuss public interest tech and civic data.
Metro21 Research Project Holds Advisory Board Kickoff Meeting

Metro21 Research Project Holds Advisory Board Kickoff Meeting

On October 30, 2023, Dr. Corey Harper hosted a kickoff meeting for members of the advisory board for his project, "Deploying Charging Infrastructure to Catalyze Market Adoption of Electric Vehicles to Improve Mobility, Health, and Economic Outcomes in Disadvantaged Communities."
Allegheny Conference Hosts Regional Investors Council Meeting

Allegheny Conference Hosts Regional Investors Council Meeting

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman attended the Allegheny Conference fall Regional Investors Council Meeting on October 24, 2023.
Smart Cities Connect Fall Conference & Expo

Smart Cities Connect Fall Conference & Expo

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman moderated "Governance Going the Distance - Moving Beyond One-Hit-Wonder Smart Cities Projects" at the Smart Cities Connect Fall Conference & Expo in Washington, DC on November 28, 2023.
Metro21 Executive Director Named Interim Executive Director of Safety21 University Transportation Center at CMU

Metro21 Executive Director Named Interim Executive Director of Safety21 University Transportation Center at CMU

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman has been named Interim Executive Director of Safety21, a U.S. Department of Transportation University Transportation Center.
Metro21 Executive Director Joins TESC 2023 Panel

Metro21 Executive Director Joins TESC 2023 Panel

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman was a panelist at the Transportation Engineering & Safety Conference, hosted by Penn State College of Engineering on December 7, 2023.
Appalachian Regional Commission Hosts Annual Conference

Appalachian Regional Commission Hosts Annual Conference

The Appalachian Regional Commission hosted their annual conference, "Appalachia Rises: Resilience, Strength & Transformation" on September 11-12, 2023 in Ashland, Kentucky.
US Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Visits CMU

US Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Visits CMU

U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg joined researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and the U.S. Department of Transportation Safety21 University Transportation Center at Mill19 on August 21, 2023 to learn more about the UTC program.
Lunch and Learn Featuring Sheila Foster

Lunch and Learn Featuring Sheila Foster

Join Metro21: Smart Cities Institute and the Remaking Cities Institute on Tuesday, October 24 at 12:45pm to hear from Sheila Foster, who will discuss "Co-Cities: Innovative Transitions Toward Just and Self-Sustaining Communities."
Metro21 Executive Director Discusses Self-Driving Vehicle Testing

Metro21 Executive Director Discusses Self-Driving Vehicle Testing

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman highlighted the future of autonomous vehicles with the Tribune-Review as they explored how self-driving vehicle testing in Pittsburgh is shifting gears to focus on the trucking industry.
Metro21 Executive Director Heads to CES in 2024

Metro21 Executive Director Heads to CES in 2024

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman will be joining experts at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, NV on January 9-12, 2024.
Lunch and Learn Featuring Michael Madison

Lunch and Learn Featuring Michael Madison

On Tuesday, September 19, Metro21: Smart Cities Institute, along with the US Department of Transportation Safety21 University Transportation Center and the Remaking Cities Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, hosted Professor Michael Madison of the University of Pittsburgh to learn about "Governing Knowledge Commons."
Smart City Expo USA Heads to NYC

Smart City Expo USA Heads to NYC

Join Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman in New York City October 4-5, 2023 as she joins leaders who are deploying complex technologies to boldly lead cities into an inclusive 21st century.
PennSTART Hosts Inaugural Training Class

PennSTART Hosts Inaugural Training Class

On August 12, 2023, PennSTART hosted their inaugural training class for the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) Traffic Incident Management Technical Specialist Certification.
Impact Debate: Autonomous Vehicles: Coasting or Crashing

Impact Debate: Autonomous Vehicles: Coasting or Crashing

On July 27, 2023, Metro21 Director Raj Rajkumar participated in a virtual debate on autonomous vehicles.
Metro21 Executive Director Discusses Broadband with Texas Tribune

Metro21 Executive Director Discusses Broadband with Texas Tribune

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman recently discussed the federal broadband infastructure funding with the Texas Tribune.
Metro21 Executive Director Moderates World Economic Forum Event

Metro21 Executive Director Moderates World Economic Forum Event

On June 27, 2023, Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman moderated the World Economic Forum's Connected World Pitch Day.
Allegheny County Planning Division Hosts Meeting on Comprehensive Plan

Allegheny County Planning Division Hosts Meeting on Comprehensive Plan

Allegheny Places is Allegheny County’s first comprehensive plan. It establishes an overall vision for our future and a roadmap to get there.
PennSTART Hosts Inaugural Training

PennSTART Hosts Inaugural Training

On Saturday, August 12, PennSTART will be hosting a class for the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) Traffic Incident Management Technical Specialist Certification.
MetroLab Annual Summit 2023 Spotlights Sustaining Connected Communities

MetroLab Annual Summit 2023 Spotlights Sustaining Connected Communities

The MetroLab Network Annual Summit in Portland, OR highlighted Metro21's work on the NSF project, "Enabling and Sustaining Connected Communities Rooted in Solving Societal Challenges" in a roundtable discussion.
Building Trust in "Smart Cities"

Building Trust in "Smart Cities"

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman recently wrote for Postindustrial to discuss "Building trust in 'smart cities.'"
Pennsylvania to Receive $1.16B in Federal Funding for Broadband Internet Access

Pennsylvania to Receive $1.16B in Federal Funding for Broadband Internet Access

On June 26, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced the commonwealth will receive more than $1.16B in federal funding to expand broadband to unserved and underserved areas through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
Michelin Group Explores Innovation Opportunities with CMU

Michelin Group Explores Innovation Opportunities with CMU

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman presented to the Michelin Group on June 20, 2023 to provide a background on Metro21: Smart Cities Institute and the amazing projects that we work on.
K&L Gates Conference on Ethics and AI

K&L Gates Conference on Ethics and AI

On June 21-22, 2023, the K&L Gates Conference on Ethics and AI took place at Carnegie Mellon University.
Governing Knowledge Commons Workshop: Protecting Human Rights in (Smart) Cities: Governance and Responsible Design of Urban Technologies

Governing Knowledge Commons Workshop: Protecting Human Rights in (Smart) Cities: Governance and Responsible Design of Urban Technologies

The next talk in this series, organized by the Governing Knowledge Commons Workshop and supported by the Knight Foundation, will take place on June 29th, at Noon Eastern Time with speakers Anna Artyushina (York University) and Alina Wernick (University of Helsinki). They will present “Protecting Human Rights in (Smart) Cities: Governance and Responsible Design of Urban Technologies.”
Intelligent Cities US 2023

Intelligent Cities US 2023

Join Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman at the Intelligent Cities US Summit 2023 September 26-27, 2023 in San Antonio, TX for an event focused on all aspects of building and maintaining an efficient public sector.
City of Pittsburgh Smart Loading Zones Case Study 2023 Report

City of Pittsburgh Smart Loading Zones Case Study 2023 Report

Automotus has released their most recent case studies for their zero emissions curb project in both Pittsburgh and Santa Monica, CA.
Metro21 Announces Results of NSF Project

Metro21 Announces Results of NSF Project

Metro21 is excited to announce the results of its National Science Foundation (NSF) funded project, ”Enabling and Sustaining Connected Communities Rooted in Solving Societal Challenges."
Congresswoman Summer Lee Announces Safety21 at Carnegie Mellon University

Congresswoman Summer Lee Announces Safety21 at Carnegie Mellon University

Congresswoman Summer Lee announced that Carnegie Mellon University has been awarded $20 million over the next five years from the U.S. Department of Transportation to establish a new University Transportation Center, Safety21, to be led by Raj Rajkumar.
Metro21 Enjoys the Day Offsite with Partners Throughout the University

Metro21 Enjoys the Day Offsite with Partners Throughout the University

Metro21 staff met with partners from Heinz College, Traffic21 Institute, and the College of Engineering for an offsite meeting at the Sylvan Canoe Club.
San Antonio Announces Smart Cities Roadmap, Smarter Together!

San Antonio Announces Smart Cities Roadmap, Smarter Together!

The Smart Cities team at the Office of Innovation collaborates with entrepreneurs, local organizations, and new technologies to keep innovation at the forefront of San Antonio.
Metro21 Congratulates the Class of 2023 Graduates

Metro21 Congratulates the Class of 2023 Graduates

Metro21 congratulates interns Bobby Lincoln, Hannah Graber and Donner Kahl as they graduate and move to the next phase in their lives.
Pittsburgh Emerging Tech Community Engagement Roundtable

Pittsburgh Emerging Tech Community Engagement Roundtable

On May 10, 2023, the City of Pittsburgh hosted a community engagement roundtable event in Hazelwood Green for thought-provoking discussion on the current state of Autonomous Vehicles in Pittsburgh and to uncover invaluable insights on how to effectively engage with emerging technologies.
Carnegie Mellon Leads NSF AI Institute for Societal Decision Making

Carnegie Mellon Leads NSF AI Institute for Societal Decision Making

Led by Carnegie Mellon University, the AI Institute for Societal Decision Making (AI-SDM) will improve the response to societal challenges such as disaster management and public health by creating human-centric AI tools to assist with critical decisions.
Metro21 Joins Several Final Capstone Presentations

Metro21 Joins Several Final Capstone Presentations

Metro21 closed out the Spring 2023 semester attending seven Carnegie Mellon University final capstone presentations that Executive Director Karen Lightman advised on.
Metro21 Attends AI Fireside Chat

Metro21 Attends AI Fireside Chat

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman attended the AI Fireside Chat with Jordan Crenshaw, Senior Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Technology Engagement Center on May 3, 2023, to gain insight into the future of AI.
Carnegie Mellon University Joins Broadband Innovation Consortium

Carnegie Mellon University Joins Broadband Innovation Consortium

Carnegie Mellon University has joined the Pennsylvania Broadband Innovation Consortium, a group of key partners across Pennsylvania coming together to propose a visionary and collective solution to address the infrastructure component of Pennsylvania's digital divide.
MetroLab Summit to Feature Metro21 Executive Director

MetroLab Summit to Feature Metro21 Executive Director

The MetroLab Network Annual Summit in Portland, OR on June 26-28 will feature a roundtable discussion facilitated by Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman to discuss sustaining connected communities and a deep dive into the findings from the recent Metro21 workshop with NSF.
Burcu Akinci Named University Professor

Burcu Akinci Named University Professor

Burcu Akinci, along with four other Carnegie Mellon University faculty members, has been elevated to the rank of University Professor, the highest distinction a faculty member can receive at Carnegie Mellon.
Metro21 Discusses Technology and Policy with Supply Chain Dive

Metro21 Discusses Technology and Policy with Supply Chain Dive

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman recently spoke with Supply Chain Dive on delivery robots and the policies that plague them.
Metro21 Recognizes Interns During Student Employee Appreciation Week

Metro21 Recognizes Interns During Student Employee Appreciation Week

Metro21 recognizes and honors our student workers during National Student Employee Appreciation Week, which was held April 10-14, 2023.
Metro21 Presents Activity at Heinz College Staff Meeting

Metro21 Presents Activity at Heinz College Staff Meeting

Metro21 provided updates to activity at the Heinz College staff meeting on April 18, 2023, highlighting a very busy spring semester.
Policies Can Help Limit Eviction Filings

Policies Can Help Limit Eviction Filings

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman discussed the increase in evictions after the 2021 national moratorium ended with Smart Cities Dive, and highlighted policies that cities can use to limit the number of eviction filings.
Carnegie Mellon Students Take Second Place in Kellogg Design Challenge

Carnegie Mellon Students Take Second Place in Kellogg Design Challenge

Graduate students from different disciplines at Carnegie Mellon University secured second place at the 2023 Kellogg Design Challenge, the largest business design case competition across MBA programs globally.
When Will Cars Be Self-Driving?

When Will Cars Be Self-Driving?

Metro21 Director Raj Rajkumar participated in a conversation with experts in the field of autonomous vehicles to discuss what the future holds.
CMU Sustainability Initiative Hosts Open Sustainability Studio

CMU Sustainability Initiative Hosts Open Sustainability Studio

On Wednesday, March 29, Carnegie Mellon University's Sustainability Initiative hosted an Open Sustainability Studio featuring work by Metro21, which provided an opportunity for the CMU community to get together in pursuit of a more equitable future.
Traffic21 Director Chris Hendrickson Recognized for Contributions to Transportation

Traffic21 Director Chris Hendrickson Recognized for Contributions to Transportation

Traffic21 Director Chris Hendrickson has been announced as the 2023 recipient of the ASCE James Laurie Prize for his four decades of contributions to the advancement of transportation engineering.
Center for Executive Education in Technology Policy Offers Scholarships to Policy Professionals from Developing Countries

Center for Executive Education in Technology Policy Offers Scholarships to Policy Professionals from Developing Countries

The Center for Executive Education in Technology Policy at Carnegie Mellon University is offering scholarships that allow eligible policy professionals from developing countries to take our classes for free.
CMU Faculty Diane Turnshek Receives National and International Attention for Work Stemming from Metro21 Project

CMU Faculty Diane Turnshek Receives National and International Attention for Work Stemming from Metro21 Project

Metro21 research partner Diane Turnshek is being recognized nationally and internationally for her work stemming from the "Artificial Light Survey of Nighttime Pittsburgh" project with Metro21.
Mobility21 Hosts Fourth Annual National Mobility Summit of USDOT UTCs

Mobility21 Hosts Fourth Annual National Mobility Summit of USDOT UTCs

On Thursday, March 16, Mobility21 hosted the Fourth Annual National Mobility Summit of US Department of Transportation University Transportation Centers in Washington, DC.
Governing Smart Cities as Knowledge Commons

Governing Smart Cities as Knowledge Commons

On April 12, 2023, Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman joined Pitt's Professor Michael Madison to celebrate the launch of his book, "Governing Smart Cities as Knowledge Commons" at the Barco Law School.
U.S. DOT Announces Grant Awards for University Transportation Centers

U.S. DOT Announces Grant Awards for University Transportation Centers

Carnegie Mellon University has been funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a National University Transportation Center, with a focus on safety.
CMU Energy Week 2023 Poster Competition

CMU Energy Week 2023 Poster Competition

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman has been invited to participate as a judge at this year's CMU Energy Week poster competition on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 12-1pm.
Heinz College Announces Public Interest Technology (PIT) Certificate Program

Heinz College Announces Public Interest Technology (PIT) Certificate Program

Heinz College is now accepting applications for the Public Interest Technology (PIT) Certificate Program, which begins in May 2023. This program will empower the next generation of civic leaders across all areas of government to solve societal problems.
Politifact Fact-Checks Smart Cities with Metro21

Politifact Fact-Checks Smart Cities with Metro21

Politifact recently reached out to Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman for clarification and guidance on the term "smart cities" and their role in the U.N. Agenda 2030 to set the record straight.
Appalachian Regional Commission Hosts Workshop

Appalachian Regional Commission Hosts Workshop

On March 2, 2023, Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman attended the "Getting the Grant" workshop hosted by the Appalachian Regional Commission in Pittsburgh in preparation for the ARC 2023 funding opportunity ARISE.
Traffic21 Faculty Director Receives 2023 James Laurie Prize from ASCE

Traffic21 Faculty Director Receives 2023 James Laurie Prize from ASCE

Traffic21 Faculty Director Chris Hendrickson has been awarded the 2023 James Laurie Prize by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Mobility21 Program Manager Added to Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank's Community Advisory Council

Mobility21 Program Manager Added to Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank's Community Advisory Council

Mobility21 Program Manager Lisa Kay Schweyer has been named as a member of the Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank's Community Advisory Council.
Enabling and Sustaining Connected Communities Rooted in Solving Societal Challenges

Enabling and Sustaining Connected Communities Rooted in Solving Societal Challenges

On February 6-7, 2023, Metro21 hosted participants from across the country for an invite-only workshop to discuss the need to address multiple societal challenges such as mobility and access, energy efficiency, and provision of ecosystem services.
Burcu Akinci Among CMU Faculty Elected as AAAS Fellow

Burcu Akinci Among CMU Faculty Elected as AAAS Fellow

Metro21 faculty member Burcu Akinci, along with 3 other Carnegie Mellon University faculty members, has been named as a 2022 fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
2023 Barbara Daly Danko Political Forum

2023 Barbara Daly Danko Political Forum

On Saturday, February 18, The Barbara Daly Danko Political Forum hosted the Democratic candidates running for Allegheny County Executive in a forum for a live discussion of the issues at Carnegie Mellon University campus.
SPC Holds 1st Regional Broadband Summit in Butler County

SPC Holds 1st Regional Broadband Summit in Butler County

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) hosted the first of its kind, Regional Broadband & Connectivity Summit, bringing together regional stakeholders, industry and non-profit experts, and local, state and federal governments and agencies to address equitable and affordable access to high-speed broadband internet in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Metro21 Faculty Paper Published on COVID-19 Impact on Public Transit

Metro21 Faculty Paper Published on COVID-19 Impact on Public Transit

Metro21 faculty and CMU Professors Destenie Nock and Corey Harper, along with Ph.D. student Lily Hanig had their latest paper, "COVID-19 Public Transit Precautions: Trade-offs Between Risk Reduction and Costs" published.
Paving the Way for EV Policy in America

Paving the Way for EV Policy in America

Join Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 from 9-10am ET for an event that will bring together city leaders, urban planners, and practitioners to examine the challenges and opportunities electric vehicles (EVs) present, discuss upcoming policies/strategies, and present new ideas on preparing for broader EV adoption.
Professor Sean Qian Hosts Digital Infrastructure Workshop

Professor Sean Qian Hosts Digital Infrastructure Workshop

Professor Sean Qian hosted the "Digital Infrastructure and Services Workshop" on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 to discuss ways to collaboratively address societal issues.
PRCC Highlights Metro21 Safe Mobility Project "Rural County Mobility Platform"

PRCC Highlights Metro21 Safe Mobility Project "Rural County Mobility Platform"

PRCC joins Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Waynesburg University (WU), Greene County (GC) and the Metro21 Smart Cities Institute in a research study to design a hybrid rural mobility platform with both fixed-route shuttle service and complementary volunteer-based trips.
World Economic Forum Releases State of the Connected World, 2023 Edition

World Economic Forum Releases State of the Connected World, 2023 Edition

The World Economic Forum in collaboration with the Council on the Connected World released The State of the Connected World 2023 Edition— the only global report that tracks and quantifies governance gaps for the universe of connected devices, known as the internet of things (IoT). and how their rapid adoption is occurring without baseline governance protocols.
Metro21 Executive Director Weighs In On Community WiFi

Metro21 Executive Director Weighs In On Community WiFi

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman recently spoke to Fierce Wireless to discuss community wi-fi in the U.S., and the lack of government initiative to establish it in urban areas.
Paving the Way for Electric Vehicle Policy in America Webinar

Paving the Way for Electric Vehicle Policy in America Webinar

The ESI Center for the Future of Cities, in partnership with Santander, will be hosting a webinar on February 15th from 9:30 – 10:30 AM ET titled, "Paving the Way for Electric Vehicle Policy in America," which will include Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman as a panelist.
Metro21 Executive Director Talks Infrastructure at CES 2023

Metro21 Executive Director Talks Infrastructure at CES 2023

Metro21 Executive Director Karen Lightman participated in a panel at CES 2023 for the session "Smart Infrastructure: Building the Future" on Friday, January 6, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV.
Metro21 2022-2023 Academic Year Impact

Metro21 2022-2023 Academic Year Impact

Throughout this academic year, Metro21 continued to pursue equity, sustainability, and transparency- broadening our regional collaboration and impact and further strengthening our role as a thought leader in smart cities.
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