New York City is a confusing place in some ways. Whereas some people are using the latest apps and touch screen devices to facilitate life, others are of the analog, hard copy lifestyle.
The truth is, digital has already won, hence why you're reading this article not in a newspaper. The jury's in, people love technology, but it isn't always integrated municipally.
Not in NYC, though.
Being one of the world's leading cities means we have a reputation to uphold, and while we're not Silicon Valley, we do have some of the weirdest and coolest technology a city can have.
Remember when suddenly there were apparently random trash cans with solar panels on them?
Yeah, it seems inconsequential, but other cities followed our example and integrating technology to better run the City should be one of our priorities (after making sure everything runs in the first place, of course).
Lately, there have been some interesting advancements that the City has either already brought into use, or plans to do so in coming months or years. Let's see how the City's using technology to make our lives easier.
1. Municipal Wi-Fi
whatdoyouupto #HeadsUp #NewYorkers will be able to enjoy the #privilege of accessing to free #PublicWiFi 24/7 through this #InternetPylon replacing city public #PayPhone. The console is equipped with #TouchScreen tablet #interface providing free domenstic phone calls, as a phone charging station, directory for you to browse services/direction around the city, etc. #LinkNYC is the company behind the big project, making money through #advertising. This #Gigabit fast speed #WiFi access is 100x faster than average public wifi. #Tech #City #TheFutureIsHere #NYC #NewYorkCity.
There's Wi-Fi in a lot of places around the City, especially in the subways. Of the 279 subway stations around NYC, 146 of them already have free Wi-Fi and it's coming to the rest ahead of schedule.
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Above ground is also seeing a Wi-Fi explosion, with a plan to build 10,000 Wi-Fi pylons around the five boroughs. The hubs will likely also include charging stations and maybe even sensors to monitor air quality.
2. Neighborhoods.nyc
socket_13 #brooklyn #subway #mta #newyork #nyc #newyork_city #nycdimps #nycgo #thisisnyc #nycneighborhoods #nycstyle #newyorkstateofmind #nycstreet #seeyourcity #nycig #instagramnyc #newyork_instagram #discovery #usa #travel #travelgram #instatravel #panasonic #lumix #gx7
The most helpful thing since 311, Neighborhoods.nyc is a municipal reporting platform featuring a page for each 'hood in the City.
On site, users can stay up to date with alternate side parking, public school closures, trash pickup, weather, traffic and subway problems, and so much more.
People can also use it to report things like noise and rats. It's in the beta phase, but it's done well since the October launch.
3. Smart buses & taxis
metrotransitarchives #metrotransitarchives #moovit #newyorkcity #newyork #nyc #nycprimeshot #metrotransit #streetphotography #portrait #downtown #flatbush #brooklyn #nycbus #newflyer #xcelsior #XD40 #diesel #lowfloor #transit #bus #publictransportation
We're not at the point of self-driving buses and trains, though, we're getting closer. NYC is receiving $20 million to outfit about 10,000 vehicles, taxis, buses and trucks with sensors for a test run of anonymous vehicle-to-vehicle communication that's designed to avoid collisions.
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Furthermore, NYC buses already all have GPS which is helping to synch bus locations with traffic lights to avoid red lights. It also allows for a pretty handy app that alerts users when selected buses are arriving. Now, if they could only do the same with every subway line, we'd be good.
,4. Gunshot detection sensors
Gun violence is a huge problem in America, and NYC is no different. The faster police can respond to gunshots, the more likely it is that suspects will be apprehended quickly, making everyone safer.
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The NYPD is installing these real time gunshot sensors in outer boroughs mostly, which alert authorities when gunshots ring out, and can differentiate between actual gunshots and say, a car backfiring...unlike some people.
5. Tree census app
milliontreesnyc 🌳I think we found the emoji tree!🌳 Make sure to tag @milliontreesnyc if you come across any trees that look like our favorite #emoji 🌳
People wonder what the population of NYC is, they wonder how many cars are in the City, they wonder how many rats are in NYC... but what about trees?
The Parks Department launched an app to allow users to assist in the third arboreal census since 1995. Crowdsourcing a tree count of the City? Good thinkin', Parks Dept.
6. 311 on Twitter
nyc311 Do you think your neighborhood needs more public spaces to sit? You can request a @nyc_dot CityBench (like this one modelled by our very own #NYC311 #Cubert) by filling out an online form or downloading the form and sending it in by mail. The CityBench program aims to make streets more comfortable for transit riders and pedestrians, especially those who are older and disabled. Anyone can request a bench and anyone can use one. Benches are for DOT right-of-way, not private property. You may also recommend locations for benches to be installed. Learn more about the location requirements and apply: http://on.nyc.gov/145CJiG
We'd be living in the past if we didn't integrate social media into our interaction with municipal services and such. Consider the MTA's Twitter. Good to follow, or no? Well, 311 can be more useful.
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If you have a non-emergency problem, you can always tweet at 311. It's not like 911 has a Twitter. Could you imagine the comments, though? (P.S. 311 has an Instagram too.)
Check out 8 Ways to Make Living in a NYC Apartment So Much Easier.
[via New York Magazine]