The City of Long Beach has embarked on a groundbreaking public-private partnership with Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America. This initiative, supported by Mercedes-Benz USA Urban Mobility Solutions and Xtelligent, is set to revolutionize urban transportation management. The collaboration aims to create and deploy advanced transportation technology systems, enhancing both the liveability and environmental sustainability within Long Beach and its surrounding areas.
“This public-private partnership is a significant step in positioning Long Beach as a leader in emerging transportation technologies,” stated Mayor Robert Garcia. He further emphasized the project’s broader benefits, noting, “This project will not only highlight our city’s skilled workforce but also create valuable STEM learning opportunities for our students. It truly embodies our city’s ongoing dedication to fostering a technology-focused ecosystem.”
This ambitious public-private project is structured to unfold over a 10-month period and encompasses several key components:
Intelligent Traffic Management System Testing
A core element of the partnership involves rigorous testing of an intelligent intersection control system. This system is designed to dynamically adjust traffic signal timing at selected intersections, with the overarching goal of improving traffic flow and safety. By intelligently adapting signal timings in real-time, the system aims to reduce congestion and optimize urban traffic management.
Data-Driven Transportation Policy Enhancement
The project will leverage comprehensive data analysis derived from connected test vehicle fleets and the city’s existing network of physical sensors. This rich data pool will be analyzed to generate actionable insights that can inform future transportation policy and traffic engineering decisions. By understanding traffic patterns and trends more deeply, Long Beach aims to create more effective and responsive transportation strategies.
STEM Education and Community Engagement
Recognizing the importance of community involvement and education, the partnership includes a community youth workshop tailored for Long Beach residents and students. Aligned with the Long Beach Accelerator Program, this workshop will focus on cultivating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills, particularly among students from under-resourced communities. This initiative underscores the commitment to both technological advancement and community empowerment.
This partnership directly supports Long Beach’s broader Smart City Initiative, which is dedicated to utilizing data and technology as strategic tools to address urban challenges and improve the quality of life for its residents. The collaboration with Mercedes-Benz and Xtelligent reflects Long Beach’s commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and digital inclusion, ensuring equitable access to digital literacy, internet resources, and technology for all.
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America views this partnership as a crucial opportunity to address pressing urban transportation issues, particularly congestion and its associated environmental impact. “We are excited to collaborate with Xtelligent and the City of Long Beach to explore innovative solutions to urban transportation challenges,” commented Philipp Skogstad, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America. “Utilizing our test vehicle fleet, we are confident in our ability to provide critical data that can optimize traffic signal timing and effectively reduce congestion in urban environments.”
Data protection is paramount in this project. Mercedes-Benz, Xtelligent, and the City of Long Beach are jointly committed to responsible data handling. Data sharing will be conducted with strict adherence to privacy protocols, ensuring anonymization and aggregation when necessary, and always with appropriate notices and consents. This collaborative project represents a unified effort across Long Beach City departments, including the Technology and Innovation Department, Public Works Department, and Economic Development Department.
Michael Lim, cofounder of Xtelligent, highlighted the synergistic potential of the partnership: “This collaboration exemplifies the remarkable outcomes achievable when a forward-thinking city, a leading automotive OEM, and an innovative venture unite with a shared, significant objective.” He added, “Xtelligent is enthusiastic about contributing our combined resources to demonstrate how technology can tangibly enhance the liveability, vitality, and sustainability of Long Beach.”
Upon the conclusion of the pilot project, the team will thoroughly evaluate the results and explore opportunities for scaling the successful initiatives, potentially bringing these advancements to other urban centers.
About Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of mobility. With six locations across North America, the organization is dedicated to envisioning, designing, engineering, testing, and certifying vehicles for both the North American market and the global stage. Their diverse activities span from cutting-edge EV battery research to hybrid powertrain development, telematics, autonomous driving software, and innovative design. Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America is not only focused on automotive engineering but also on pioneering software solutions, advanced technologies, and groundbreaking innovations in the broader mobility landscape.
Mercedes-Benz Urban Mobility Solutions: Shaping Future Cities
The Mercedes-Benz Urban Mobility Solutions division is specifically focused on enhancing urban environments by creating safer, more sustainable, efficient, and accessible mobility options. By leveraging Mercedes-Benz’s extensive mobility expertise, this division collaborates closely with city officials, public transport agencies, and industry partners to proactively address emerging urban challenges and trends. The ultimate goal is to develop a comprehensive portfolio of urban-centric vehicles, data-driven mobility products, and citizen-focused urban mobility systems that cater to the needs of present and future generations, establishing a benchmark for urban mobility worldwide.
