[tropchan]

Very interesting article, especially for a technology enthusiast with a formal background in urban development. I think there is tremendous opportunity in this market, as cities start sharing data and aim to build "smart cities".

As for your idea, I'm not sure I understand / or see the need. Hardware sounds less scalable, but couldn't you crowdsource that data in real-time, like Waze does? Data in cities can be used in so many ways, it's unbelievable.. example: in university we look at correlation with graffiti and vacancy.. other students did studies on linkages between health issues arising from school yard proximity to traffic... the point being is geo-locational data is has high value.

In relation to your idea, I definitely see opportunity for tracking and collecting data... especially if it can be sold to Urban Planning Departments for research (rather than just another advertising budget). Here is a Montreal based project: http://www.datamobileapp.ca... challenge is finding an engaging way to get people to use it (obviously ).

Any idea on a better way engaging people? There has to be a better way to vote on local issues than attending public meetings.. Right?

[matthewjames]

That is a great idea, but by crowdsourcing I assume you mean the end-users reporting the accident, the work zone, etc. correct?

I love that idea and it is a old/tested one, but from a safety perspective do we want people touching their phones while driving to report the location? If they wait till they reach their destination to report, the accident may be cleaned up or the exact location data of the work zone may become inaccurate. Also, who would be in charge of removing that data, checking if an accident is gone, etc?

Just some random questions I am throwing out there. I was going more for a very cheap 3G/4G-enabled device to broadcast live to a "City API". Thoughts?

[tropchan]

Sorry I didn't answer more quickly.

Yes, that's what I mean by crowdsourced data. I agree on the safety concerns while driving. However, even if you could collect data on emotions of people throughout the day in a city... that would be insanely useful for planners... aka knowing when people are angry sitting in traffic, scared in sketchy areas of the city, or where they go for walks often because it's a beautiful park. They can analyze all that data to plan smarter cities. The issue here is: how do you engage the "crowd" enough for them to share this data?

Yes the city API idea is definitely cool. With all the data opening up it's good timing for sure... Only thing is, I heard the API aren't exactly perfect. Depends on what you are working on. I met with a Founder of a Parking App that was building on data like you are talking about.