The City of Atlanta and Georgia Tech officially launched the North Avenue Smart Corridor at Ponce City Market on September 14.

Funded by the Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond, the Smart Corridor will have more than 100 street sensors gather real-time data, which will then be used to provide efficient traffic management through data analytics. The goal is to improve traffic flow, increase automotive and pedestrian safety, and reduce emergency response times.

“This event represents another giant step forward for Atlanta’s Smart City future, and it’s all about our progress in being first to the future,” Mayor Kasim Reed said at the ceremony. “The North Avenue Smart Corridor really is a game changer for the City of Atlanta.”

This project is part of Atlanta’s larger Smart City strategy to implement a data-centric approach to improving quality of life, growing the local economy, and ensuring greater equity in the city.

North Avenue was chosen as the location for the initial pilot project because of its importance as an employment corridor and an important east-west transportation artery. The street connects Georgia Tech, Coca-Cola headquarters, Georgia Department of Transportation headquarters, the North Ave. MARTA rail station, and the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail.

Invest Atlanta funded the purchase of smart cameras that will be used to gather critically important data. Several Atlanta-based technology companies are involved in implementing the project. Applied Information is providing connected vehicle infrastructure, and Surtrac will offer their Artificial Intelligence-based adaptive traffic signal system.

Among the dozens on hand to celebrate the occasion were Georgia Tech President G.P. “Bud” Peterson, Renew Atlanta General Manager Faye DiMassimo, Chief Information Officer Samir Saini, as well as Councilmembers Alex Wan, Andre Dickens, and C.T. Martin.