#United States #Philadelphia #Smart Cities #INRIX

Philadelphia Revolutionizes Mobility Management

The City of Philadelphia has recently taken a major step towards modernizing its transport infrastructure by partnering with INRIX, a top-tier provider of transportation analytics. This collaboration aims to transform how the city manages curb space and rights-of-way (ROW) through advanced digital technologies introduced in the INRIX IQ suite.

Optimizing Urban Spaces with INRIX IQ Road Rules

The project has received funding through the USDOT Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grant, emphasizing the need to optimize the limited spaces available in the urban environment. The core component of this initiative is the INRIX IQ Road Rules, a cloud-based system designed to house digital twin information reflecting the city's roads, sidewalks, and curbs. With this tool, city staff can easily communicate any temporary or permanent changes to rules efficiently across various internal sectors and external stakeholders including leading digital mapping companies such as Apple and Google.

The urgency for such a transformation stems from a growing need to manage the public rights-of-way in a way that leads to safer roads. Akshay Malik, the Smart Cities Director for the City of Philadelphia, highlighted the significance of leveraging existing data standards to enhance ROW oversight, stating, "Road Rules gives the City more capacity to improve ROW management through data and technology." This proactive approach allows for better safety, reduces congestion, and enhances access to local businesses.

Features of INRIX Road Rules

The INRIX Road Rules suite brings a plethora of features aimed at improving the management of the highway spaces:

• - Creation of Detailed Digital Models: The system provides a comprehensive digital twin of the ROW that includes travel lanes, curbs, and sidewalks in the pilot areas.
• - Pre-Loaded Curb Rules: It comes equipped with an inventory of curb regulations applicable throughout the city's center.
• - Real-time Data Insights: The technology enables real-time monitoring of curb utilization, delivering both historical and current data about curb occupancy.
• - Enhanced Communication Tools: Facilitates standardized communication of regulations through modernized specifications suitable for various stakeholders.

Urban spaces are increasingly occupied by diverse users ranging from pedestrians to delivery vehicles, and the introduction of shared mobility options such as scooters and ride-hailing services has only amplified the complexities of managing these areas. The evolution in public ROW usage underscores the necessity for sophisticated management tools. Ahmed Darrat, Chief Product Officer at INRIX, articulated the intricate relationship between technology and urban planning, stating, "Urban areas are complex ecosystems that require meticulous planning and management."

A Step Towards Smarter Cities

Philadelphia’s decision to adopt INRIX’s advanced digital infrastructure aligns it with other innovative cities like Portland and San Francisco, known for leveraging technology in urban planning. These partnerships enable an evolution in how cities handle public spaces, moving towards a more responsive and strategic management framework.

Moreover, leveraging the open-source standards from the Open Mobility Foundation allows Philadelphia to stay ahead in addressing policy priorities more effectively. Andrew Glass-Hastings, executive director of OMF, expressed optimism for the project as it holds promise for significantly enhancing city management practices by utilizing well-designed technological solutions.

In a landscape of shifting urban mobility, Philadelphia's collaboration with INRIX not only highlights a commitment to advanced city management but also empowers various stakeholders to engage more effectively with the city’s transportation ecosystem.

For more insights into Philadelphia's strategies towards smart urban management, visit Philadelphia's Smart City Initiatives.

About INRIX

Founded in 2004, INRIX has been at the forefront of intelligent mobility solutions, turning large quantities of data from connected vehicles into mobility insights. Their groundbreaking work makes them one of the foremost providers of data and analytics, influencing how urban centers strategize their transport and mobility frameworks effectively. As part of their mission, INRIX aims to make urban environments safer, greener, and smarter, solidifying their place as pivotal players in optimizing urban mobility.