US Smart City winner announced

Columbus in Ohio has beaten 78 other US cities to win the government's new Smart City Challenge.

The Midwestern city was up against 7 finalists to win the US Department of Transportation’s new award.

Anthony Foxx, US Secretary of Transportation, announced the new competition in December, in a bid to reduce traffic congestion, boost vehicle communication and autonomous vehicle use.

The Smart City Challenge is designed to support the Obama’s Administration’s strategy for an environmentally sustainable transition across the country.

The other even finalists included Kansas City (Kansas), Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), Portland (Oregon), Austin (Texas), Denver (Colorado), and San Francisco (California).

Several leading technology companies will assist Columbus in developing its smart city infrastructure, including Amazon Web Services, AT&T, DC Solar, Alphabets Sidewalk Labs, and NXP Semiconductors.

Columbus is planning to use data transportation analytics to improve its public transportation system, which includes building a rapid transit system.

New rapid transit plans for the city include a 100 per cent autonomous electric bus on three dedicated routes, connecting a new rapid transit centre to a retail shopping centre.

The central Ohio city is also aiming to introduce smart LED lighting systems, EV charging stations, and vehicle-to-vehicle wireless communication data.

The global smart cities market is estimated to reach $1.4 trillion by 2020, as cities embrace new advancements in smart lighting, energy efficiency, and water and waste management.