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
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
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.
CONNECT SOCAL 2024 SUBCOMMITTEES
In September 2022, SCAG launched three subcommittees to look at emerging issues for the Connect SoCal 2024 plan.
The Resilience and Conservation subcommittee, and the Racial Equity and Regional Planning subcommittee concluded last month, and members of both committees unanimously approved a set of recommendations.
The Next Generation Infrastructure subcommittee will meet on Feb. 15 to review their key findings and finalize their own recommendations.
10 SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING SUPPORTIVE GRANT APPLICATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
In addition to Permanent Local Housing Allocation application assistance, SCAG is offering technical assistance for jurisdictions and Tribal Governments to prepare and submit applications for housing-supportive funding.
State Agency Meetings
On Nov. 8 and 9, SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and SCAG Planning Director Sarah Jepson traveled to Sacramento for a series of meetings with executive leadership at the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Office of Planning Research (OPR), the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM (REAP) 2.0 PROGRAM UPDATE
Continuing development of the REAP 2.0 program, staff have been conducting outreach to identify priorities for transformative planning and implementation. This has included engaging representatives from disadvantaged and rural communities on their participation in the program. Most recently, staff hosted virtual workshops to provide information and collect feedback from tribal entities and the public.
REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM (REAP) 2.0 PROGRAM UPDATE
Since the approval of the REAP 2.0 Program Framework by the Regional Council (RC) in July, staff has continued outreach efforts to develop specific programs using the framework as a guiding document.
33rd Annual Demographic Workshop Dates Announced
The 33rd Annual Demographic Workshop, co-hosted by SCAG and the University of Southern California, will be held virtually on the afternoons of Wednesday, Sept. 14, and Wednesday, Sept. 21. This year’s workshop will explore the demographic trends that have and have not bounced back following the COVID-19 pandemic, how different populations have experienced the rebound in different ways, and the impact of remote work and other emerging trends in our cities. More information will be available soon.
President Harnik Shares Region’s Housing and Transportation Priorities
SCAG President Jan Harnik had the pleasure of hosting a recent meeting with Senate Transportation Committee Chair Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) to discuss our region’s housing and transportation budget priorities, such as the Regional Council’s support for an augmentation to the Infill Infrastructure Grant program and using budget surplus dollars to fully fund the Active Transportation Program.
State Housing Funds Awarded to 29 SCAG Jurisdictions
The California Department of Housing and Community Development approved another 35 jurisdictions for Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds, bringing the total to 135 jurisdictions state-wide. Specifically, 29 of the 35 jurisdictions are located in the SCAG region and totaled another $49.4 million in homelessness and affordable housing funds for PLHA’s second round. Total SCAG awards for PLHA’s second round are $121.9 million for 54 jurisdictions.
REGISTER FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SCAG’s 57th Annual Regional Conference & General Assembly is just around the corner on May 5–6. Register today for access to high-quality presentations and panels, featuring engaging speakers and thought leaders, and unbeatable networking opportunities filled with collaborative, solution-oriented discussions on fostering change and addressing challenges in our communities.
REGISTRATION FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOW OPEN!
Join Southern California’s most influential elected officials and policymakers on May 5–6, 2022 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA. This two-day event will focus on solution-oriented discussions to address the most pressing problems facing communities, businesses, and families throughout the SCAG region. General admission tickets for the event are $350, but registrations done in advance by Thursday, March 31 using the code EARLYBIRD will receive $100 off the general admission price.
The February 2022 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.
The January 2022 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.