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In this blog series, we’ll unpack the latest smart mobility news in a little more detail. Each week, we’ll focus on fresh topics, covering emerging stories and research that has caught our attention. 

Today, we’re sharing some ground breaking advancements in smart mobility, including the Biden Administration’s progress in rebuilding US infrastructure, the development of a solid-state battery that could give electric vehicles a longer range life, data-driven solutions for safer roads, and much more…

Mirage News: The latest on the Biden Administration’s progress in rebuilding America’s infrastructure 

As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced over $220 billion in funding for more than 32,000 infrastructure projects across 4,500 communities. Various projects in different states – such as bridge upgrades, airport improvements, water infrastructure projects, and road repairs – are already underway. The Administration is prioritizing road safety, awarding over $800 million directly to cities and countries for more than 500 projects from the Safe Streets for All initiative.

In November 2022, we joined Congaree River Group and ITS America to discuss the grants made available by Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – covering the details and deadlines of various funding opportunities. Since then, we’ve built a dedicated resource hub, where you can read more about the funding made available by the IIJA, and discover how Wejo’s data solutions can drive your application forward.

Visit the hub

Goodnet: New solid-state battery could revolutionize electric vehicles

Researchers from Argonne National Labs and the Illinois Institute of Chicago have developed a dime-sized solid-state battery which could revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Unlike liquid ion-lithium batteries, the new battery uses a solid ceramic electrolyte material, allowing for greater energy storage and eliminating the risk of explosion and fire. The breakthrough could lead to longer ranges and greater efficiency for EVs.

The importance of nationwide EV charging infrastructure

Even with the advent of longer range batteries, investing in EV charging infrastructure remains crucial. A national EV charging network will allow EV drivers to conveniently charge their vehicle at a variety of locations – giving them complete peace of mind. As a leading provider of connected vehicle data, Wejo can equip urban planning teams with real-time insights into EV usage patterns, charging levels, and movement within communities – empowering them to make informed decisions about the best placement of EV charging stations.

Download the eBook

TTI: Connected vehicle tech and AI is increasing bike safety in Austria

Global transportation solutions provider Kapsch TrafficCom has shared key findings from the Bike2CAV project in Austria, which aimed to enhance bicycle safety through vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology. The project employed traffic cameras equipped with AI software to identify collision risks and issue real-time warnings. It successfully reduced collision risks at intersections, demonstrating how connected vehicle technology can effectively enhance road safety.

Data-driven solutions for safer roads with Road Health 

At Wejo, we’re working on our own data-driven solutions to enhance road safety – most notably, Road Health. Powered by NIRA Dynamics, Road Health gathers real-time information on road friction, roughness, and bumps, providing a comprehensive view of road surface conditions in towns and cities. By using data to tackle deteriorating roads, we’ve significantly reduced maintenance and asset management costs for states, towns, and cities. Recently, we hosted a webinar titled How Real-Time Data Can Transform Road Maintenance In Your Area.

Listen to the webinar

Interesting Engineering: 10 futuristic smart city projects

Cutting-edge engineering technology community, Interesting Engineering, has highlighted 10 futuristic smart city projects that have either already been built, or are scheduled for completion soon. Located across the world, each project prioritizes sustainability, innovation, and technology – including Telosa, a smart city project currently being planned in the United States. Sustainability will be a key focus of the city, incorporating renewable energy sources, green buildings, and intelligent transportation systems.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s impact on smart city innovation

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law presents a significant opportunity for smart city development – with a $500 million grant program dedicated to powering the cities’ futures. It aims to address funding challenges by allocating $89.9 billion to modernize public transit, and $65 billion to ensure high-speed internet access for all Americans. Connected vehicle data is key to smart city planning, painting a detailed picture of traffic patterns and facilitating informed infrastructure decisions. At Wejo, we’re committed to furthering smart mobility by empowering urban planners to make more effective decisions.

Want to learn more?

For further insights into the goings-on in the mobility industry, check out our resource center, or speak to our team by filling out the form below.

As always, if you’ve come across a story that you think is worth sharing, or you want to give your input on what we’ve featured this week, send us a message.