Parsons New Smart City Challenge Aims to Reduce Intersection Congestion

Parsons Corporation  has created a new series of government collaboration opportunities with its Smart Cities Challenge  campaign. Smart Cities Challenge: Transforming Intersections  is designed to significantly increase mobility around cities and reduce the amount of time drivers spend idling at red lights. The event’s sponsors and partners include Amazon Web Services  and Verizon .

The challenge will incorporate Parsons Intelligent Intersections, which – according to the organization – can be used by cities and counties to leverage existing data to provide automated traffic re-timing based on changing traffic patterns, enhancing mobility for the region. Intelligent Intersections can also communicate with connected vehicles, which will lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly driving with a smaller carbon footprint and, ultimately, safer intersections. Traffic signal owners can also provide priority to transit and emergency vehicles or automatically extend green cycles for pedestrians needing extra time to cross the street.

William Kucinski  is content editor at SAE International, Aerospace Products Group in Warrendale, Pa. Previously, he worked as a writer at the NASA Safety Center in Cleveland, Ohio and was responsible for writing the agency’s System Failure Case Studies. His interests include literally anything that has to do with space, past and present military aircraft, and propulsion technology.

Contact him regarding any article or collaboration ideas by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..