Parking info coming to cell phones in the foreseeable future
FI —When it comes to providing services to residents via the Internet, Santa Monica is a digital dominator, according to a survey released recently by the Center for Digital Government.
Thanks to features like up-to-the-minute parking information and free Wi-Fi at city parks and the Third Street Promenade, as well as an extensive fiber-optic network offering businesses quick connections, Santa Monica was named the top digital city for 2007, beating the city of Roanoke, Va., and other municipalities with a population between 75,000 and 125,000.
“This year’s winners have really raised the bar for cities,” said Cathilea Robinett, executive director for the Center, which is a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. The center is a business division of e.Republic, Inc., a publishing, media and research firm based in Folsom, Calif.
3BF,“This first-place win shows Santa Monica’s commitment to building a world class digital community,” Robinett added. “Their technology accomplishments are both cutting edge and effective. The city needs to be commended for the high level of citizen service.”
The survey is open to all U.S. cities with a population of 30,000 or more. Respondent cities are classified into four size-based categories. The city of Aurora, Colo., took top honors for those with a population greater than 250,000, while Lincoln, Neb., was named top digital city for those with a population between 125,000 and 249,999. In the smallest category, 30,000 to 74,999, there was a tie for first between Jupiter, Fla., and Lynchburg, Va., both returning from last year’s top 10.
Santa Monica participated in the survey in 2004 and took third place. City Hall did not participate in the following years until 2007, said Jory Wolf, head of the Information Services Division at City Hall.
697,“I think the award recognizes Santa Monica’s investment in the right technologies and our commitment to being a leader in using technology to better connect our community,” Wolf said. “It’s truly an honor.”
Among the features that received the most praise was the real-time parking Web site. Visitors to downtown and the beach can go online and see how many parking spaces are available at the beach lots or in the downtown parking structures. The feature has been credited with helping drivers better coordinate their routes, helping to cut down on traffic and idling.
City Hall was also praised for its traffic signal synchronization program and for online features that allow people to pay utility bills, view City Council meetings live and make complaints.
The “dark fiber” ring around the city is a big plus because it allows companies specializing in the entertainment industry to send large files faster and at a cheaper price than what is offered by private providers, Wolf said.
“Right now, we have leased dark fiber to three companies … and we anticipate adding another 30 by the summer and another 20 by the end of 2008,” Wolf said. “We see lots of opportunities.”
Four months ago, City Hall launched its own radio station, WQGR AM 1680, with traffic and parking updates using technology already in place. Wolf said there are plans to make this information available on people’s cell phones in the form of a text message.
“This first place win shows Santa Monica’s commitment to building a world class digital community.”
Cathilea Robinett, executive director for the Center for Digital Government.
Jump head - Parking updates coming to cell phones.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 20, 2007. Read the original PDF.