City of San José

The City of San José Department of Transportation was awarded a federal SMART grant to collect and analyze data about the curb space in Downtown. The nearly $2 million grant will fund a pilot project to collect and study information about how people use the curb to decide how to better use that space. If the pilot is successful, the system can be expanded for use across the city. 

Today, curbs in Downtown San José face growing demand from a mix of uses. Bus service, bikeways, deliveries, outdoor dining, and parking all need safe access to the side of the road. Without enough spaces for all these uses, conflicts occur. Delivery workers may double park, delaying transit. People walking or biking are put in danger by blocked bike lanes, while people with disabilities are dropped off far from their destinations. Businesses suffer as a result.  

The project will include two components:

1. The project will collect information about how much curb space there is, and what it is used for. This will be done using professional services and a software platform. To get an accurate inventory of the curb, we will use Curb Data Specification. This is a common curb data standard developed by a group of city transportation experts called the Open Mobility Foundation. This detailed inventory information will allow the City to publish and share curb locations and regulations online.
2. We will then use sensor technology to collect data on how curb space is being used.  The project will then develop a digital platform to visualize historical use and monitor use in real time. We can then change how the curb is used, based on demand and highest community benefit.  The platform will allow data sharing across platforms. It will also be made accessible to the public. The real-time availability of the data will help bicyclists and drivers efficiently navigate the streets to find their destination. This, in turn, will reduce time spent idling or circling the block in search of a parking space.

We’re excited to start this important work. In addition to operational and safety benefits, this project will help inform policies to help achieve City’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing transportation safety and equity. 

Our fellow Open Mobility Foundation member cities Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Miami-Dade County were also awarded grants to tackle the challenge of curb space management. Congratulations to them all – we look forward to collaborating.