Future Communities Pilot Program
Southern California is in the midst of a mobility paradigm shift. With growing availability of data systems, platforms, and service providers, municipalities are rethinking how to leverage innovation to provide new mobility options and improve existing services.
In 2018, SCAG and the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Committee (MSRC) created the Future Communities Pilot Program (FCPP), a new $2.7 million grant program that would allow local cities and counties to implement new technology and data solutions, while reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and implementing SCAG’s 2016 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. Examples of VMT reducing projects considered include fleet telematics, Internet of Things applications, route optimization, and Mobility as a Service pilots.
The goals of the FCPP are to:
- Apply new technologies and data analytics to test innovative approaches for reducing emissions-producing VMT from local travel and municipal operations.
- Explore opportunities for data analytics and technology projects in a variety of contexts and communities, including projects that support and engage disadvantaged communities.
- Improve efficiency and reduce the costs of city and county municipal services.
- Identify and quantify relative impacts of a variety of technology-based VMT reduction strategies.
- Promote replicable pilot projects that support new policy development, improve processes for government service provision, and pilot innovative engagement practices with private sector mobility providers.
The FCPP serves as a key element of SCAG’s Future Communities Initiative, a comprehensive multi-year work program aimed at implementing the policy guidelines set forth by SCAG’s Open Data/Big Data – Smart and Connected SCAG Region Committee. The committee discussed and identified significant opportunities for SCAG to support innovation and improvements within local cities and counties in the provision of their services through the use of technology and data innovations.
Award Recipients
On February 7, 2019, the Regional Council approved awards to the following jurisdictions:
- City of Cerritos Remote Services Enhancement Project: The project streamlined municipal processes through the online automation of community development-related and business license applications.
- City of Glendale Route Optimization and Fleet Telematics: The project focused on optimizing refuse collection routes to enhance efficiency and reduce VMT.
- City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation Measuring VMT Reduction from Shared Mobility Services through Real-Time Data: The project involved the BlueLA car share program and incorporated enhanced car-sharing services by applying the Mobility Data Specification to collect detailed origin and destination data.
- City of Monrovia Biking for Bucks Program: The project established a bikeshare program to promote clean, sustainable transportation alternatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on travel behavior.
- City of Anaheim Smart Center City – Parking Guidance and Mobile App Integration: The City of Anaheim, in collaboration with the Anaheim Transportation Network, launched a pilot to integrate real-time parking guidance into their transit planning and ride-hailing approach.
- City of Riverside Integrated Electronic Plans Solution: The project created a "one-stop-shop" virtual platform to facilitate public and city staff access to the planning division's numerous requests, applications, and operations.
- County of San Bernardino Remote Electronic Warrants: The project involved the creation of a system for electronically processing search and arrest warrants otherwise applied for in person by law enforcement officers.
- City of Ontario Smart City Rapid Validation Hub: The project aimed to reduce VMT through three innovative sub-projects. The Smart City Hub, leveraging smart technologies and sensors, monitored and analyzed transportation activity, providing valuable insights and data accessibility to residents. Despite operational challenges, the Intelligent Refuse Collection pilot sought to optimize waste collection with smart sensors, aiming for efficiency and VMT reduction. The Final Mile Mobility project introduced electric scooters and robots to promote walkable lifestyles, though it faced setbacks due to the pandemic.
Final Report
The Future Communities Pilot Program – Evaluation Summary Report summarizes the potential benefits and challenges of implementation of a series of mobility pilot projects that can reduce VMT and help cities and counties take a positive step toward fighting climate change.
FCPP Project Factsheets
- City of Anaheim Smart Parking Guidance
- City of Cerritos - Remote Services Enhancement
- City of Glendale - Optimization of Refuse Route
- City of Los Angeles - BlueLA Car Club
- City of Monrovia - Biking for Bucks Program
- City of Ontario - Smart Cities Hub
- City of Riverside - City Virtual Platform
- County of San Bernardino - Electronic Arrest Warrant System