Georgia is solidifying its reputation as a leader in smart city innovations, with three local projects earning national recognition at this year’s Smart 20 Awards. Presented at the Smart Cities Connect Conference on April 14 in San Antonio, Texas, these awards celebrate the world’s most innovative and impactful smart cities projects.
With projects led by Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners and the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (PIN), Georgia accounts for 15% of this year’s Smart 20 honorees. From using real-time data to improve traffic safety to expanding electric microtransits and reducing energy burdens in underserved communities, these projects demonstrate how Georgia is leveraging technology to create smarter, more connected cities.
Ghost Intersection Uses Real-World Data to Improve Driver and VRU Safety
The Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners is pioneering intelligent infrastructure solutions with its “Ghost Intersection” project, developed in collaboration with Seyond, a global provider of image-grade LiDAR technology. Utilizing this technology, the initiative enhances real-time traffic monitoring, pedestrian safety, and corridor efficiency at SR141 and Peachtree Corners Circle. By integrating advanced perception software, the project enables data-driven traffic signal adjustments that improve mobility for vehicles and vulnerable road users (VRUs).
“Here in Peachtree Corners, we are always looking for new ways to harness cutting-edge technology to improve safety and accessibility for our community,” said Brandon Branham, Assistant City Manager and Chief Technology Officer. “By leveraging LiDAR sensors and Curiosity Lab’s living laboratory to build what we called the ‘Ghost Intersection,’ we were able to capture detailed traffic data – like speed, direction, and classification of vehicles and pedestrians – in real time, and then analyze those insights to reduce collisions and near-misses.
“Because this tech can be deployed without tearing up roads or disrupting commutes, it provides a cost-effective, scalable path to next-generation infrastructure for municipalities everywhere. We’re proud this project has been recognized with the Smart 20 Award and we hope it inspires other cities to explore similar innovations in their communities.”
Additionally, two projects supported by PIN were selected as winners:
Thomasville Heights: Building Strategies for Energy Efficient Retrofits
The City of Atlanta Energy Efficiency Education Project was recognized for its efforts in reducing the energy burden in Thomasville Heights and Norwood Manor, two of Atlanta’s most underserved communities. Through a partnership with Georgia Tech’s High Performance Building Lab, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Focused Community Strategies, and with the support of PIN, the project deployed non-invasive drone-based energy audits and low-cost retrofits to improve energy efficiency.
“We are thrilled to receive a Smart20 Award alongside our partners for this impactful project,” said Chandra Farley, Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Atlanta. “The City of Atlanta Energy Efficiency Education Project focused on two of our most energy burdened neighborhoods, Thomasville Heights and Norwood Manor. This project provided key insights and valuable community connectivity as a precursor to our WeatheRISE ATL energy burden reduction program. As priority neighborhoods for Mayor Dickens’ Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, the informative project outcomes will continue to serve these neighborhoods, and the entire city, for years to come.”
“This Smart20 Award highlights the transformative impact of energy efficiency in underserved communities like Thomasville Heights,” said Tarek Rakha, Associate Professor at Georgia Tech. “Our research showed that low-cost weatherization reduced air leakages by 25%, cut building envelope anomalies by 79%, and improved indoor comfort by 92%. With Atlanta facing one of the highest energy burdens in the nation, these results demonstrate the power of targeted retrofits to enhance both energy equity and climate resilience.”
Chatham Connect: Chatham Area Transit Electric Vehicle Micro Transit Project
The Chatham Area Transit (CAT) SMART Grant project is designed to improve mobility in Chatham County, Georgia, by integrating on-demand, electric public transit with existing fixed-route and paratransit services. The initiative builds on the success of previous pilot programs, such as MARTA Reach in Atlanta, and aims to scale microtransit technology to serve a broader population. In partnership with PIN, the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Savannah State University, Savannah Technical College, and the Georgia Department of Transportation, the goal is to develop a model that can be replicated by other small and mid-sized transit systems across the country.
“We are honored that the Chatham Area Transit USDOT SMART Grant project has been recognized with a Smart20 Award,” said Mary Moskowitz, Chief of Planning, Infrastructure, and Development Officer at Chatham Area Transit. “This achievement underscores our commitment to transit equity and innovation, ensuring that all residents of Chatham County have access to reliable, efficient, and sustainable transportation. Through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge mobility solutions, we are expanding access to public transit while building a more responsive, inclusive, and technology-driven transit network.”