On April 10-12, ITIC organized another important technology workshop at The Seaside Institute in Seaside, Florida. In the effort to develop a long-term, sustainable mobility solution for Seaside and other beach communities located along Florida’s popular 30A Corridor, ITIC gathered together key stakeholders such as IBM, Cisco, Intel, AT&T, Proterra and Local Motors to explore potential mobility pilot projects designed to solve the community’s most important and immediate transportation issues. Discussions traversed the topics of vehicle options, potential technology and automotive partners, data input and output needs, infrastructure needs and improvements (e.g., road, communications, electric grid), and local community expectations.
As we’ve shared before, Seaside was the country’s first New Urbanism community, developed in the 1980’s by Robert Davis. Ironically, Seaside’s very success at creating a world-renowned pedestrian friendly community turned it into a major tourist destination resulting in staggering traffic congestion and parking issues. Today, the congestion along the scenic highway leading to and from this idyllic beach community threaten its image and desirability. ITIC is leading a team of technology and mobility experts to create a solution that will return Seaside to its captivating, pedestrian-friendly roots.
One of the solutions we explored during our recent workshop was the use of automated shuttles, such as Olli – the famous AI-driven vehicle developed by Local Motors and powered by IBM Watson technology. To test local reaction, the ITIC team in partnership with Local Motors and IBM put Olli to work in Seaside.
(Video credit: @modusphoto)
We orchestrated demonstrations throughout the three days in Seaside to show how traffic and parking issues could be eliminated through the use of a mobility service like Olli and other zero-emission vehicles. Whether in-town or in residential neighborhoods, Olli’s short stature and easy-going pace was right at home alongside Seaside cyclists and pedestrians.
ITIC would like to thank the Seaside Institute for its steadfast determination in bringing a visionary solution to the local region. We are also grateful to the ongoing collaborative spirit of technology providers such as IBM, Local Motors, Proterra, Cisco, Intel and AT&T, as well as that of many Florida state and local governmental bodies and municipal organizations. Our sum is only as good as its parts and the team we are assembling is world-class in every way.
We encourage you to follow ITIC on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to keep up with progress on the 30A Mobility Project. The solutions we develop for Seaside may very well have a profound influence on an improved quality of life for your community.