A Newsletter of ARC's Green Communities Program April 2017 5 Reasons for cities to adopt smart technologyAlice Williams, TriplePundit When you hear about the latest smart technology, chances are it’s some new smart home device. More people protect their homes with smart security systems, check their energy use with smart thermostats, and cut utility bills with smart lights. While smart homes are a great start toward individual sustainability, a broader approach is needed to make a real impact. Enter the smart city. These high-tech metropolises use smart technology on a large scale to streamline operations, reduce waste and address environmental concerns. They act as world leaders in efficiency and sustainability. More municipalities, large and small, are getting on board with the smart city trend — and here are five
reasons why.... Green Communities SpotlightTraffic Signal Synchronization Cobb County uses Intelligent Transportation Systems to provide efficient transportation mobility for commuters by managing congestion, reducing delay, improving traffic flow and assisting with incident management. The system includes optimized traffic signal timing, connection with the Georgia Navigator System, closed circuit television cameras, changeable message signs, commuter alerts through Twitter and miles of fiber optic cable. The county estimates travel time savings of approximately 8 percent, which equates to annual reductions of approximately 329,000 gallons of fuel and 150 tons of CO and VOC emissions. Make it PersonalAttention Drivers: Turn Off Your Engines
Sustainability News ClipsGreen news from near and far: City of Atlanta leads country with building space committed to reducing energy and water use Gwinnett adds 55 acres, eight miles of contiguous public land along Chattahoochee Expanded solar bill dies in Georgia House Georgia law change may speed solar expansion Solar measure crosses key hurdle Lee County Commission OKs solar project for water treatment plant Unlocking the hidden power of a highway UPS steps up investment in natural gas Albany green energy biomass plant begins test run How smart cities are managing solid waste Buildings smarten up, think about occupants, utility rates and the weather Multifamily energy efficiency spending nearly triples in four years How energy-efficiency programs benefit all 50 states N.Y. town makes the switch to LED street lamps More ways colleges are sowing seeds for a sustainable future Why the time is right to chart a new sustainability course Wind Powers 5.5 Percent of U.S. Grid 8 tips for streamlining solar permitting processes Two cities commit to 100 percent renewable energy You can’t have lasting sustainability without social inclusion Get Green for Going Green Urban Land Institute 2017 Technical Assistance Panels Kresge Fdn. Healthy Housing & Neighborhoods Initiative Ford Fdn. Sustainable Development Grant SolSmart Community Designation Green by the Numbers 1.9 billion: gallons of fuel wasted annually due to congestion on roads. 713: dollars that are lost by the average American driver due to traffic congestion each year. 34: hours the average urban commuter wastes in traffic each year. Sustainability HappeningsSustainable Atlanta Roundtable GA Association of Water Professionals Conference Smart Growth for Dallas: GIS and Local Partnerships to Drive Urban Forestry Investments toward Climate Equity Green Drinks 2017 Earth Day Water Symposium Drink + Draw: Designing Your Atlanta April 14 | Atlanta Georgia Trail Summit Earth Day Arbor Day Georgia Walks Summit 2017 EcoDistricts Summit Green Infrastructure – Learn the Environmental, Community and Economic Benefits The Green Matters e-newsletter is designed to give you a glimpse of important sustainability initiatives happening around the metro Atlanta region and beyond. Whether it's the latest research, new educational offerings, environmental stewardship efforts or potential funding opportunities, this e-newsletter will help you stay abreast of what's happening in this important subject area. |