For Immediate Release: 
September 2, 2021

Clarke Introduces Legislation To Reinvigorate Federal Smart Cities Challenge

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) announced the introduction of the Smart Technologies for Accessible and Resilient Transportation (START) Act. This legislation would renew and expand the Obama Administration’s Smart Cities Challenge to generate unprecedented levels of investment in Smart City projects that will reshape local transportation systems across the nation by harnessing the power and potential of technology, data and innovation.

“Equitable, efficient, and sustainable public transportation is a modern function of any 21st century city. Through Smart City technologies, transformative, necessary change is possible in both the civil infrastructure and transportation networks our communities rely upon,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “My legislation will provide unprecedented funding and assistance to diverse, underprivileged communities which will translate into lives saved, fewer crime incidents, shorter commutes, a reduced health burden, and carbon emissions averted. More, the START Act will ensure the federal government’s role in supporting our Smart City efforts as we ready for the challenges of the coming decades.”

The START Act reinvigorates federal efforts around Smart City and community transportation projects that will benefit communities of all sizes by reducing transportation costs, traffic congestion, air pollution, energy use, and carbon emissions, while simultaneously enhancing transportation access, equity, efficiency, resilience, safety, security, and sustainability. 

Building off the efforts made during the Obama Administration’s Smart Cities Challenge, Rep. Clarke’s legislation tasks the Department of Transportation and other federal agencies with developing and implementing an updated Smart Cities Challenge that will award major grants on an annual basis to communities across the nation to implement smart transportation proposals and demonstrate how advanced technologies can be integrated into city planning and utilized to mitigate transportation challenges related to safety, mobility, and climate change. Grants more limited in size will also be provided to cities and communities for the purpose of conducting research and planning around how they might benefit from smart transportation technologies. 

In addition to significant federal funding, the START Act will also establish a federal Smart Community Resource Center to serve as a database and clearinghouse on Smart City transportation efforts, which will provide best practices for communities of various sizes and locations and share information on guides and resources that are readily available to the public. 

A copy of the legislation can be found HERE.

Clarke’s legislation enjoys broad support from Transportation and Smart City leaders:

“The START Act will provide communities of all sizes with the resources they need to accelerate the smart city movement to the benefit of their citizens,” said Nick Maynard, CEO of US Ignite. “US Ignite is happy to endorse the START Act and thanks Representative Clarke for her support of smart city technologies.” 

“The Coalition for Urban Innovation strongly supports the START Act, which will incentivize cities to prioritize and adopt the technologies that address our most pressing transportation issues. This legislation is a major step towards building a more resilient, sustainable future in our cities - not only does it ensure communities can secure opportunities for urban innovation, but it provides city leaders guidance on how to integrate new solutions for transit access and equity, helping to fuel a just economic recovery.” – The Coalition for Urban Innovation

“We commend Representative Clarke as she continues to forge ahead with innovative initiatives to modernize the nation’s infrastructure and transform the workforce needed for the economy of the future,” said Matt Mandel, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs at Wireless Infrastructure Association. “The timing couldn’t be better as Congress returns to pass comprehensive infrastructure legislation.” 

"As the leader in TransitTech, Via is thrilled to support Rep. Clarke's START Act,” said Andrei Greenawalt, Head of Public Policy at Via. “We work every day with hundreds of transit agencies and cities to modernize their transportation systems and offer new forms of mobility that advance equity, increase economic mobility, and reduce the emission of harmful pollutants. The START Act would help communities of all sizes deploy new innovations and share best practices to make our cities and towns more livable, accessible, and resilient."

“We are pleased to endorse the Smart Technologies Advancing Reliable Transportation (START) Act. As a leading public research University situated in an urban area, we support the provisions in this bill that promote research on smart city efforts that will actively transform society by enhancing transportation infrastructure in an inclusive way.” – University of Cincinnati

“Since our founding, Lyft has been committed to using technology to improve mobility in our cities for all. We commend Representative Clarke on introducing the START Act and helping foster the technological innovations that will fuel the more equitable transportations systems of tomorrow.” – Heather Foster, Head of National Policy Engagement, Lyft 

“The START Act provides cities and communities of all sizes with incentives needed to demonstrate how smart transportation solutions can help address multiple Smart Cities challenges such as traffic congestion, safety, emissions reductions, and equitable mobility access – a win-win.” – Lisa Brown, Senior Director of Municipal Infrastructure & Smart Communities Advanced Solutions at Johnson Controls

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Yvette D. Clarke has been in Congress since 2007. She represents New York’s Ninth Congressional District, which includes Central and South Brooklyn. Clarke is Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Taskforce on Immigration,  a Senior Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and a Senior Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.