The City of Long Beach is embarking on a groundbreaking public-private partnership with Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, supported by Mercedes-Benz USA Urban Mobility Solutions, and Xtelligent, to pioneer advanced transportation technology systems. This collaboration aims to revolutionize urban transportation management, enhance the quality of life, and foster environmental sustainability within Long Beach and its surrounding areas.
“This public-private partnership will ensure Long Beach remains at the cutting edge of emerging transportation technologies,” stated Mayor Robert Garcia. “This project will not only showcase our city’s talented workforce but also provide invaluable STEM learning opportunities for our students, underscoring our city’s ongoing dedication to cultivating a technology-centric ecosystem.”
This ambitious project, slated to span 10 months, will encompass several key initiatives:
- Intelligent Traffic Management: Implementing and testing an intelligent intersection control system designed to dynamically adjust traffic signal timings at selected intersections, thereby optimizing traffic flow and reducing congestion.
- Data-Driven Policy and Engineering: Conducting in-depth data analysis leveraging connected test vehicle fleets and existing city-wide sensor networks. This analysis will provide crucial insights for informed transportation policy enhancements and traffic engineering strategies.
- Community STEM Engagement: Hosting a community youth workshop for Long Beach residents and students, aimed at fostering interest and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
This partnership strongly aligns with the Long Beach Accelerator Program, reinforcing the City’s commitment to collaborating with local businesses on innovative technologies that create civic impact. Furthermore, it underscores the dedication to nurturing STEM opportunities for Long Beach students, with a particular focus on engaging under-resourced communities through a community-based workshop, pending health and safety guidelines.
The project is also integral to Long Beach’s broader Smart City Initiative, which strategically utilizes data and technology to address urban challenges and improve the lives of its residents. Partnering with Mercedes-Benz and Xtelligent reflects Long Beach’s vision to champion environmental sustainability and digital inclusion, ensuring equitable access to digital literacy training, internet resources, technology devices, and other essential digital inclusion tools. Addressing transportation challenges is a core focus for Mercedes-Benz, and this unique partnership presents a significant opportunity to tackle pressing urban issues such as traffic congestion and associated emissions.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Xtelligent and the City of Long Beach in researching innovative solutions to urban transportation challenges. We are confident that our test vehicle fleet will provide essential data to optimize traffic signal timing and alleviate congestion,” commented Philipp Skogstad, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America.
Mercedes-Benz, Xtelligent, and the City of Long Beach prioritize data protection, ensuring responsible data handling throughout the project. Mercedes-Benz and Xtelligent will only share test vehicle data with proper notifications and consents, and any data shared with third parties will be anonymized and aggregated. This collaborative effort involves the City’s Technology and Innovation Department, Public Works Department, and Economic Development Department.
“This partnership embodies the remarkable potential that emerges when a forward-thinking city, a leading automotive OEM, and an innovative venture unite with a shared, meaningful objective,” remarked Michael Lim, cofounder of Xtelligent. “We are excited to leverage our combined resources to demonstrate how technology can enhance the liveability, vitality, and sustainability of Long Beach.”
Upon the pilot project’s completion, the team will thoroughly evaluate the results and explore opportunities for scaling the initiative, potentially paving the way for broader implementation of these innovative transportation solutions.
About Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America is dedicated to envisioning, designing, engineering, testing, and certifying the most desirable vehicles in North America. With six locations, they contribute to global automotive advancements, ranging from EV battery research to autonomous driving software, and from advanced vehicle design to user experience innovation.
Mercedes-Benz Urban Mobility Solutions: Shaping Future Cities
The Urban Mobility Solutions division of Mercedes-Benz is committed to making cities more livable through safe, sustainable, efficient, and accessible mobility solutions. By collaborating closely with city officials, public transport agencies, and industry partners, they strive to develop cutting-edge urban vehicles, data-driven mobility products, and citizen-centric urban mobility systems for present and future generations.
About Xtelligent: Innovating Urban Mobility
Xtelligent is a U.S. government-backed transportation infrastructure venture originating from leading research institutions including the University of Southern California, University of California, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. By integrating advanced decentralized control algorithms with innovative sensing and learning technologies, Xtelligent significantly improves urban traffic signal network control, fostering a more cooperative, multimodal, and sustainable urban transportation ecosystem.
