Transformation

SMART METRO

On September 15, 2024, the Broward MPO executed a $2 million Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grant with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research & Technology to develop a prototype of an innovative AI-enabled geospatial analysis platform, SMART METRO.

Addressing Regional Challenges with Innovative Solutions
Our region is facing significant challenges, including extreme weather events, rising housing and transportation costs, and a rapidly growing population. Traditional planning methods, often constrained by fragmented and single-use data, are no longer sufficient to address these complexities. The need for smarter, faster, and more collaborative solutions has never been more pressing.

More than five years ago, through our Vision 2100 Plan, we embarked on a journey to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) could revolutionize our industry and enhance the quality of life in our communities. We envisioned AI not just as a tool to automate, but also as a means to empower communities, strengthen decision-making, and create more efficient infrastructure for economic growth and vitality. 

The SMART METRO prototype is an AI-powered digital twin designed to transform regional planning and investment. At its core, SMART METRO is a dynamic, virtual representation of our region’s infrastructure, integrating dispersed data into a unified system to test ideas, challenge assumptions, and measure outcomes. Rather than replacing creativity and insight, SMART METRO enhances them, enabling leaders to make better-informed decisions that truly reflect our region’s needs.


How SMART METRO Works
SMART METRO has two foundational components:

  • Data Governance: A secure, centralized repository that enables seamless data sharing and access across regional agencies and stakeholders.
  • Digital Twin: An interactive, AI-driven model that supports scenario planning, project simulation, and predictive analysis.

By creating a single source of truth to replace siloed data and single-purpose models and systems, SMART METRO facilitates faster, more transparent planning and investments aligned with regional priorities.


Key Benefits of SMART METRO:

  • Enhanced Coordination: Common standards for data enable better coordination and consistency across agencies.
  • Future-Ready: Adaptability to future transportation needs, powered by intelligent modeling and AI.
  • Economic Development: Strategic insights that enhance regional competitiveness and economic development.


The success of this prototype will pave the way for additional USDOT grant funding to support expansion to other use cases and to scale across the nation.

Together, we are building an adaptable and economically vibrant region, equipped to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

   

Documents:

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