b'ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTRegion RoundupMoving ForwardValdosta ReceivesGeorgia Smart Communities Challenge GrantGeorgia Tech has selected the City of Valdosta to receiveLowndes Development Authority, Valdosta State University, a 2020 Smart Communities Challenge Grant.The awardTemple and Applied Information Inc.provides the citys Traffic Management Center (TMC) with a grant to have all 128 major traffic signals equipped withWe are extremely excited and ready to get to work on smart technology, enabling the possibility of connecting allthe TravelSafely App in partnership with Georgia Tech and modes of travel to traffic infrastructure and one another.Valdosta State University, says Valdosta City Manager Mark Barber. This project will transform Valdosta into a The project will include installing advanced transponderssmart and connected city. We are committed to creating in emergency response vehicles, and the downloadingand sustaining a smart, effective traffic control system of smartphone apps, such as TravelSafely, to be used bywhich will result in improved traffic flow, road safety, and Valdosta State University (VSU) students and members ofreduction in the number of traffic accidents.the Valdosta community.Georgia Techs Georgia Smart Communities Challenge Georgia Tech researcher Baabak Ashuri and VSU researcher(Georgia Smart) empowers local governments to think Barry Hojjatie will serve as co-principal investigators andoutside of the box and use innovation to improve their collaborate with the Valdosta City Engineer Patrick Collinscommunities. and the City Traffic Manager Larry Ogden on research and engineering aspects. Community and industrial partners include Southern Georgia Regional Commission, Valdosta-50 SG MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020'