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Karen Pallansch a Northern Virginian of the year: Congratulations to VMLIP Members’ Supervisory Board member and CEO of Alexandria Renew Enterprises, Karen Pallansch! She is featured as a Northern Virginian of the Year in Northern Virginia Magazine. Read more here.
Sperryville among America’s top ‘gems’: Who would have thought the day would come when Sperryville would be lumped in the same category of cool as Telluride, CO., Newport, RI., and Sedona, AZ? Thrillist, one of the country’s leading digital lifestyle brands providing all that’s new, unknown or under-appreciated in food, drink, entertainment, nightlife, gadgets and gear, has just chosen Virginia’s Sperryville as “The Best Small Town to Visit in all 50 States.” Read the full article here.
Igniting a new trend in public safety: U.S. Geological Survey scientists and partners are taking technology to the next level, using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly called drones, to acquire both fire intensity and emissions data during prescribed burns. This effort combines expertise from multiple USGS partners that could reduce the harmful effects of smoke impacts from use of prescribed burns. Lessening the risk to property and lives during wildfires is a primary purpose of prescribed burns. Read more here.
Municipal markets factoring cyber risks: A rise in cyber attacks on U.S. public sector targets so far has had little impact in the $3.8 trillion municipal debt market, with no issuer as yet hit by a downgrade or higher borrowing costs because of a cyber security threat. That is beginning to change. Read the full article here.
Technology and school buses: In a recent School Transportation News article, the use of technology on school buses is discussed. While some worry that technology can cause more distractions, others argue that technology can help overcome them. The article also provides information on Zonar, a technology used to assist substitute drivers with routes they are unfamiliar with. Read the full article here.
Baltimore uses smart meters to transform water billing: Last fall the City of Baltimore introduced smart meters that wirelessly transmit information on water usage hour by hour. The meters were introduced in an effort to reduce the incidence of disputed water bills. Read the full article here.
School Bus Danger Zone – Objects Are Closer Than They Appear: Within ten feet of a school bus on all sides, children can seemingly vanish from the drivers’ view. In this article from School Transportation News, further steps are outlined that can prevent tragedy from striking in the school bus “danger zone.” Read the full article here.
Soon, iPhones will block texts while driving: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, eight people are killed each day in crashes involving distracted driving. Soon, Apple will release a new feature designed to combat this. “Do Not Disturb While Driving” will be released in Apple’s iOS 11 update, and will automatically respond to texts to alert senders that you are driving and cannot respond. Read the full article here.
Drug Deaths in America Are Rising Faster Than Ever: Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death among Americans under age 50 and the numbers are increasing, according to data collected from the New York Times. With more than two million Americans dependent on opioids and 95 million having used prescription painkillers within the past year – the numbers are expected to increase. Read more here.
Police speak less respectfully to black drivers, study suggests: A succession of high-profile police shootings and racial tensions swept the United States last summer. One year later, researchers are still trying to better understand the delicate relationship between police and the communities they patrol. Read more here.
How autonomous cars and buses will change urban planning: In “FutureStructure,” a site of the Government Technology news network, ponders how autonomous cars may impact urban planning – which has “largely revolved around roadway infrastructure.” Impacts considered include: parking; highway infrastructure; traffic; and a more citizen-centric rather than vehicle-centric model. Read more here.
Apps streamline parking process for city residents: Several cities are partnering with private companies to develop smartphone apps that make paying for parking a breeze for citizens. Released in late May, the aptly-named app Asbury PARK is a collaboration between Asbury Park, N.J. and Passport, a mobile parking and transit payment provider, according to the Asbury Park Press. The app allows users to pay for parking, track remaining time on their space and remotely purchase extension time on their space. Read more here.
Moonlighting police leave body cameras behind: When police officers in America’s cities put on their uniforms and grab their weapons before moonlighting in security jobs at nightclubs, hospitals, and ballparks, there’s one piece of equipment they often leave behind — their body camera. That’s because most police agencies that make the cameras mandatory for patrol shifts don’t require or won’t allow body cameras for off-duty officers even if they’re working in uniform, leaving a hole in policies designed to increase oversight and restore confidence in law enforcement. Read more here.
Virginia governor signs bill to allow autonomous delivery robots: (TNS) — Autonomous delivery robots will be legal on Virginia sidewalks starting July 1, with approval from local city councils. Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed legislation Thursday at Town Center in Virginia Beach to approve the cooler-like robots that could someday carry lunch, groceries or medicine to your door. Virginia was the first state to introduce legislation on the device . Wisconsin, Idaho, Florida and others have since followed. Read more here.
