The Arizona Department of Transportation announced a public-private partnership to install fiber-optic infrastructure along 405 miles of interstate highways to enable vehicle connectivity.
A new project announced in April will lay the groundwork for connected and automated vehicles in Arizona, according to a Gov Tech article by Skip Descant. “The project, a partnership among the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the Arizona Commerce Authority and eX2 Technology…will lay 405 miles of fiber along interstates 40, 19 and 17,” Descant reports.
The project, which is expected to begin later this year, will serve dual purposes: a ‘testbed” for intelligent transportation systems technology and “middle-mile” broadband “intended to build out the infrastructure needed to support final ‘last-mile’ connections to homes and businesses,” particularly those in rural areas and on tribal lands. In addition to connected and automated vehicles, an ADOT representative told Gov Tech the new fiber infrastructure will support overhead message boards, traffic cameras, weather stations, and wrong-way driving detection.
“The project is seen as a significant advancement of the national goal to bring broadband to unserved and underserved areas. Arizona received more than $993.1 million from the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, part of the 2021 federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” writes Descant.
FULL STORY: Arizona Fiber Work Will Connect Vehicles and Residents
The 'Worst-Connected Cities' in the United States
Here are the cities where residents are the least likely to have a broadband Internet connection in their home.
Mapping the Gap Between Broadband Access and Broadband Subscription
Not everyone that has access to high-quality Internet infrastructure is making use of it.
San Antonians Angry About Huts, Google Fiber's Fast Internet Plan Hits a Speedbump
Some in Texas are worried about the structures that house Google's Fiberoptic Cables, complaining that the huts are ugly and take up too much park space.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)