2020 Sustainable Communities Program – Smart Cities and Mobility Innovations

Because of rising vehicle ownership, disruptive technologies like transportation network companies and dockless scooters, and growing e-commerce, cities struggle with parking, congestion, and first- and last-mile connectivity, challenges heightened by the COVID-19 shift to delivery services and sidewalk commerce. 

As cities face increasing pressure on curb space, effective curb and mobility management is becoming more critical. SCAG’s 2020 Sustainable Communities Program – Smart Cities and Mobility Innovations (SCMI) call for projects funded eight local efforts to explore solutions, such as curb usage data collection, parking and permitting strategies, and smart city technology assessments. The “2020 Sustainable Communities Program – Smart Cities and Mobility Innovations Final Report” highlights project outcomes, key insights, and recommendations for regional expansion, with benefits including reduced vehicle miles traveled, improved air quality, and support for healthier, more equitable communities.

The third Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) call for applications was released in February 2021 and concluded in 2024. The SCMI call supported the implementation of three Connect SoCal 2020 Key Connections, which focused on advancing expanded mobility ecosystems and management strategies using innovative policy and/or technology to realize regional planning goals:

• Smart Cities & Job Centers
• Go Zones
• Shared Mobility and Mobility as a Service

Local agencies, cities, counties, and Tribal governments were eligible to apply to this program, which included four project types:

• Curb Space Data Collection and Inventory
• Technology Assessment or Adoption Plan
• Parking Management Plan
• Permitting Process Evaluation

SCAG’s “Curb Space Management Study” informed the SCMI call, establishing best practices for sustainable curb management, public space enhancement, and small business support. The study prioritizes equity, transit and bike network improvements, and curb optimization while developing technology assessments and adoption plans for emerging mobility solutions like connected vehicles and dynamic parking.

Contact

For more information on the SCMI Call, please contact:
 

Marisa Laderach
Principal Regional Planner
laderach@scag.ca.gov 
(213) 236-1927

• Award Recipients
• Final Report
• Resources

Award Recipients

Eight projects were awarded under the call:

• Cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Stanton; Curb Bundle: Building on SCAG’s 2022 “Curb Space Management Strategy,” this project collected and assessed curb space data in three cities, each with unique needs. Pilot projects and workplans were developed to guide implementation and were catered for specific neighborhoods and study areas.
• San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments; GoSGV Engagement and Evaluation: This project analyzed vehicle miles traveled reductions and location-based data to expand participation in the GoSGV e-bike share program, especially in low-income areas. It also developed tools to measure e-bike adoption and climate impacts, providing recommendations for program improvements.
• City of Desert Hot Springs; Downtown and Light Industrial Parking Plan: This plan evaluated parking and access needs in the Downtown and Industrial Cannabis Area, proposing short- and long-term strategies to align with the city’s economic, environmental, and community goals.
• City of Garden Grove; Curb Data Parking Study: This study analyzed residential parking challenges in six areas, offering planning and policy options to address current and future needs.
• City of Laguna Woods; Mobility Technology Plan: This plan outlines steps to establish an autonomous mobility service for residents, businesses, and visitors, with a roadmap for a pilot program. It focuses on lifelong mobility, particularly for older adults and people with disabilities, and includes recommendations on infrastructure, best practices, and security.
• City of Rialto; Smart Cities Plan for Warehousing and Logistics: This plan assessed warehousing and logistics conditions, evaluated technological and policy solutions, and developed a pilot project implementation plan with regulatory and infrastructure investment strategies.

Final Report

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The “2020 Sustainable Communities Program – Smart Cities and Mobility Innovations Final Report” provides a detailed description of each project, insights into its benefits and challenges, and an overview of program findings with recommendations for regional expansion.

Resources

• 2024 Smart Cities Toolbox Tuesday Slides