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Sarasota's Smart City Initiative recognized with international award

SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — Last month, the City of Sarasota was recognized by Smart Cities Connect with an international award for its Smart City Initiative, aimed at improving resiliency, connectivity, and safety. The city in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory, monitors beach conditions including red tide in real time. Locals and visitors are able to access up-to-date data daily from 17 locations citywide. This can range from beach conditions and weather to the surf and crowd size at a beach. New affordable housing community in Winter Haven offers people a way out of homelessness As part of the initiative, the city also launched internet at four city parks. The Wi-Fi access is free to users at Arlington Park, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, Payne Park, and Bayfront Park. Officials say they saw a big uptick in usership following last years devastating hurricanes. The city has also been utilizing AI software at 16 intersections across the city, aimed at improving safety. The cameras give city officials real-time data 24/7 of how drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians make their way through each intersection. 'This system detects unsafe behaviors, like rolling stops, failure to yield, and improper use of crosswalks and bike lanes,' City Engineer Nikesh Patel said. 'This data helps us design safer intersections and make the smart improvements that protect everyone sharing the road. We can use this data to improve signal timing, signage, and intersection operations to encourage safe and legal crossing. We use this data to adjust signal striping, signage, and operation improvement to promote safer crossing. It also helps coordinate enforcement outreach with the Sarasota Police Department.' The technology at those 16 intersections can also communicate directly with drivers in newer cars equipped with certain technology. 'These roadside units send real time alerts to drivers when pedestrians, cyclists or scooters are detected ahead,' Patel explained. 'Our drive is to really save peoples lives and reduce the amount of serious crashes and fatalities throughout the city.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.