Smart Phones

Mobile Phone

Mobility Data: How Your Travel Patterns Could Inform Policy

Data generated by travel modes can inform planners and regulators in improving the transportation system, but private mobility companies often restrict their access for concerns about privacy and competition.

August 19, 2019 - Mollie Cohen D’Agostino

Seeing Eye People

Safety Improvements for Texters Around the World

Cities are experimenting with safety measures for pedestrians who text while they walk, but the projects could benefit everyone.

May 8, 2016 - The Guardian

How to Get Lost in a City Using a Smartphone

Maybe Halloween isn't the best night for it—but otherwise consider the weekend as a good time to get lost in a city.

October 31, 2015 - Citymetric

Seeing Eye People

Distracted Walking: Finally, Some Hard Data

It's serious, and the data is surprising. You need not be a pedestrian to experience injury while walking using your cell phone: half of all injuries occurred in the home. Two thirds of all walking-using-cell phone injuries were females.

October 4, 2015 - The Washington Post

Traffic Deaths in California Continue to Rise—How to Stem the Tide

Traffic fatalities in California have been rising since 2010, rising to 3,104 in 2013 after decreasing from 2006 to 2010. Experts point to several specific reasons for the increase; one of the most prominent may be in your hand right now.

September 30, 2015 - The Sacramento Bee

Social Media Apps

Digital Divide Includes Transportation And Tech

For people who'd rather own a smart phone than a set of wheels, new types of mobile tech are making it increasingly easy to get around cities. A recent report ranks the metro areas that are making best use of these technologies. On top: Austin, TX

February 6, 2015 - Streetsblog USA

How the Sharing Economy Masks an Economic Crisis

Evgeny Morozov, a researcher on the political and social implications of technology, critiques the less-hyped implications of the emerging sharing economy.

October 4, 2014 - The Guardian

The Dangers of Distracted Subway Riding

Former Treasury Secretary LaHood made distracted driving a pet cause. The dangers of walking and texting are well documented. But would could straphangers have to fear from smartphones? Plenty, as the death of a S.F. Muni rider illustrates.

October 15, 2013 - San Francisco Chronicle

Can Smart Phones Ignite America's Passion for Walking?

Sarah Goodyear looks at how smart phones and augmented reality applications may hold the key to enriching urban exploration and getting Americans off their sofas and out exploring their environments.

June 12, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Are Smart Phones Spoiling Our Public Spaces

The smart phones that keep us constantly connected to cyberspace may have detrimental effects on our public spaces, writes Emily Badger.

May 20, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Younger Auto Consumers Boost Hybrid Vehicle Demand

A new survey provided some good news for the alternative technology sector of the auto market: younger consumers prefer hybrids and other electrified vehicles over conventional vehicles, especially fuel-inefficient ones.

January 25, 2012 - Bloomberg News

Replacing Bike Sharing Infrastructure with Smart Phones

Bike sharing systems have been huge successes in cities like Paris and Barcelona. But due to their extensive infrastructure requirements, they're expensive to build. One man suggests a system run primarily by smart phones.

August 27, 2010 - Grist

Opening Data Makes Finding Urban Solutions Easier

Next American City's Christian Madera reports on a series of seminars looking at how the growing open data movement is helping to offer cities solutions to some of their operational problems.

May 22, 2010 - Next American City

Tech Tools Have Revolutionary Potential for Cities

Governing's Stephen Goldsmith looks at the trend of smart phone applications related to city governance and civic improvement. He sees huge potential in these early stages of a trend that's likely to experience exponential growth.

March 25, 2010 - Governing

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

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