City of College Park Leverages Comcast Smart Technology to Prepare for Post-pandemic Environment

City to use platform for safer, less congested traffic experience for residents and visitors

(ATLANTA) February 7, 2022 – Comcast today announced it will team with the City of College Park, Ga., to install smart-sensors that will measure roadway and sidewalk activity. The sensors, which will be placed on streetlight poles, will enable the city to evaluate vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and provide a safer and more conducive experience for residents and visitors.

The technology will determine the count and density of visitors in a defined area, speed and traffic on roadways, abnormally high-risk traffic, pedestrian and bicyclist activity and street parking use.

Comcast will also install a total of 10 Wi-Fi access points to provide a seamless online experience for visitors in the area.

“This partnership with Comcast is a major step toward creating an enhanced post-pandemic environment for those who visit College Park,” said the City’s Chief Information Officer Michael Hicks.  “Our business district is bustling with new restaurants, which have thankfully provided an increase in visitors, citizens and guests.  I believe this technology will help College Park offer a valuable, more enjoyable experience.”

The new technology by Comcast will help the City evaluate:

• Pedestrian flow and safety
• Unanticipated behaviors, such as near-miss accidents
• Roadway traffic and interactions with pedestrians or bicyclists
• Parking use for future planning

“We are proud to partner with the City of College Park to further establish it as a true smart city,” said Comcast’s Regional SVP Jason Gumbs. “As College Park takes this latest step toward a more customer-centric model, it is critical that they are equipped with the most advanced technology available.”

The smart-sensor installment is a continuation of the partnership with Comcast and the City of College Park for smart-city capabilities. In 2020, Comcast installed sensors which alert the municipality when its trash receptacles are nearing full capacity. This addressed concerns by residents and businesses of trash overflow in the city.

“As we continue to build the community we deserve in College Park, enhancing our infrastructure is an important part of ensuring our continued growth and vitality,” said College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom. “We are grateful to Comcast for their partnership and support of our city.”

The City of College Park has seen immense residential and commercial growth in recent years and is recognized as one of the “Best Places to Call Home” by Atlanta Magazine. It is located near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the CSX Railroad, Interstates I-85 and I-285, and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Residents and visitors enjoy the city’s local restaurants, parks, and community events.

The smart city pilot solution is not designed to record or store any video footage. No personal identifiable information will be collected, and data captured are processed immediately and not stored.