US-based telecom company Cox Communications has partnered with the City of Las Vegas to trial a smart kerbside management solution to reduce downtown traffic congestion.

The solution was developed by the firm’s IoT business line, Cox2m. In the trial, two digital kiosks cover six parking spots along the pavement next to the 100th block on Main Street.

The kiosks use video analytics and smart parking technology to manage active kerb loading zones for taxis and rideshares, making conditions safer for visitors and pedestrians.

Video analytics from devices placed along the kerb gather number plate details and other information on vehicles in the loading zones, before sending this data to the kiosks to start a countdown timer.

If a vehicle stays in the same zone after a specified time period, the system reports the incident to the city, ensuring a constant flow of traffic.

The backend of the Cox platform provides Cloud processing of traffic flow information, an on-screen interface to display vehicle information and an online portal to report traffic flows and pedestrian counts.

Cox Media is also considering placing advertisements on the kiosks to provide local businesses with brand presence in the area.

Cox2M and smart communities vice-president Barak Weinisman said: “Installing the kerbside management kiosks demonstrates the innovation that Las Vegas is pursuing to create a smarter ecosystem for visitors and residents.

“We look forward to working with the city to help ease traffic flow and showcase how kiosks can enable visitor engagement.”

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman said: “The city is working on a variety of smart and innovative public-private partnerships like this one.

“We appreciate Cox for their out-of-the-box thinking and assistance as we work together to ease traffic congestion in our downtown area. It’s ideas like this that will move our city into the future.”

This week, the Atlanta Retailers Association (ARA) entered an agreement with EOS Linx to install electric vehicle (EV) charging points at selected locations in Atlanta.

Designed and developed by EOS Linx, the units feature a 75in digital advertising platform integrated with artificial intelligence-based security and surveillance features.

Through this partnership, ARA members aim to draw new customers to their locations and tap into the rapidly growing EV charging industry.