Title
Current Smart City Innovations - Citywide
Description
This report provides the Economic Development and Arts Subcommittee with an update on Phoenix's first Smart Cities strategy and citywide innovations.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix Office of Innovation and Information Technology Services are developing Phoenix's first Smart Cities strategy to advance and coordinate the use of data and smart technologies across City departments. Examples of these technologies include: sensors to collect and activate real-time data in city operations; artificial intelligence (AI) to support city staff, streamline processes and enhance service delivery; Geographical Information Systems to collect, analyze and visualize data; Augmented Reality for enhanced community engagement; drones and unmanned aircraft systems; and collaborative platforms, among others.
The Smart Cities strategy supports the advancement of approved City plans and focuses on strategic priority areas, including: Heat Mitigation and Water Management; Smart Transportation and Mobility; Intelligent Public Safety; Smart Operations; and Accessibility. During the development of the Smart Cities strategy, more than 150 projects have been identified across City departments, in various phases of deployment. Sensei IQ is a dynamic, collaborative platform being utilized to coordinate Smart Cities projects across departments.
Current Smart Cities projects include:
- Information Technology Services - Microsoft Copilot was implemented citywide, empowering city staff with an AI assistant to streamline work flows, increase efficiencies and enhance customer service.
- Public Works Department - Optical sorters, with high-speed, infra-red detection and an AI-powered sorting robot increasing processing speeds, safety and efficiency at the City's 27th Avenue Materials Recovery Center. These technologies also provide powerful insights that support the marketing of recovered materials.
- Street Transportation Department - NoTraffic, an AI-powered advanced-detection system that optimizes traffic flow and improves safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles. The system detects pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles and adapts signal timing according to traffic levels, in real time.
- Water Services Department - SewerAI uses artificial intelligence to accelerate sewer pipeline inspections; SmartCover sensors provide real-time alerts of rising manhole water levels; and Kando uses machine learning to monitor sewer entry points for contamination.
- Office of Innovation and Information Technology Services - Partnered to install Hearing Loop technology at Phoenix City Council Chambers. This assistive listening technology directly connects a hearing aid to the audio system within the Chambers, providing a seamless listening experience for residents, staff and elected officials during Phoenix City Council Meetings. Additional locations are being identified to expand the use of assistive listening technologies.
- Office of Innovation - NOWi water monitoring and leak-detection sensors, piloted at more than a dozen locations. The low-cost, easy-to-install device is expanding for City use in buildings and landscape irrigation.
- Planning and Development Department - Shape PHX, Phase III, is now live, completing the implementation of the City's comprehensive, 24/7 digital development center for residents and businesses.
- Phoenix Police Department's Unmanned Aerial Systems Program won the 2026 Smart Cities North America Award in the Public Safety Category, flying 12,500 missions in its first two years of operation.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Managers Gina Montes and David Mathews, and the Office of Innovation and Information Technology Services.