Author Archive
Kaitlyn Levinson
Assistant Editor, Route Fifty

Data & Analytics
Data for safely routing carbon-capture pipelines
The National Energy Technology Laboratory is developing data tools for state and local agencies making pipeline routing decisions for carbon capture and storage projects.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Data & Analytics
How local leaders can make complex data understandable
As governments strive for data-driven decisions, one expert breaks down how data stewards can make complex issues understandable and impactful for nonexperts.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Emerging Tech
AI in the workplace: Local officials explore responsible use
As more governments experiment with artificial intelligence, local leaders are considering how to leverage AI’s benefits safely and responsibly.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Data & Analytics
A closer look at ID verification across state benefits applications
The Digital Benefits Network’s open dataset details the identity proofing requirements of 158 applications for benefits programs.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Cloud & Infrastructure
Solving digital inequity with resident input
The Golden State wants to hear from the public about their broadband connections and device accessibility to better understand how to address digital equity barriers.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Data & Analytics
User-friendly data reporting helps one agency tackle hate acts
When hate incidents are underreported, victims are underserved. That’s why the California Civil Rights Department launched a phone- and web-based system for individuals to safely and securely report their experiences.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Data & Analytics
Is the census still the only reliable population data source?
While the census is still the "gold standard" of data, state and local governments are exploring alternative sources to supplement missing or unrepresentative datasets, experts say.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Emerging Tech
City greenlights autonomous vehicle testing for public transit
Phoenix wants AV providers to test automated driving systems to help it make decisions about future public transit.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Cloud & Infrastructure
How one city managed an IT staff consolidation
Lessons from Seattle’s years-long effort to consolidate IT workers from different city departments into a single agency.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Data & Analytics
How agencies can clean up criminal records to automate expungement
Automatic record clearance is a growing priority for states as criminal records delay individuals’ ability to reenter society and fill open job slots.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Data & Analytics
One city’s growing opioid crisis brings data-driven solutions to the front lines
Two decades of overdose data helps the Baltimore City Health Department understand drug use trends to shape treatment programs.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Public Safety
6G promises immersive communications for public safety
The next-generation cellular network is poised to massively upgrade situational awareness for public safety agencies, experts say.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Data & Analytics
Optimization model delivers faster emergency response
Researchers used historical traffic data to develop a model that calculates the most efficient routes for police and medical personnel traveling from dispatch locations to vehicle accident sites.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Public Safety
Camera, sensor, drone data lights up disaster response
ALERTCalifornia’s network will provide actionable natural disaster data for public safety agencies and researchers responding to wildfires, floods, landslides and other climate-driven events.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Data & Analytics
Data gaps curtail innovation, digital equity
Insufficient or incomplete information limits governments' ability to leverage data-driven solutions and innovations, according to a recent report.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Public Safety
How sports data can help public safety agencies up their game
Technology originally developed for athletes can help public safety agencies to track first responders’ performance during training to sharpen real-life mission efficiency.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Public Safety
Finding the right drone for the job
With MITRE’s Drone Selector, public safety agencies input their desired tasks and locality to see details on all drones that meet their requirements and can operate under current state and local regulations.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Cloud & Infrastructure
Pension systems’ built-in modernization deadline: IT staff retirements
The Washington Department of Retirement Systems is modernizing its pension administration infrastructure before the soon-to-be retirees managing it take their skills and knowledge with them.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Public Safety
Twitter turmoil prompts agencies to plan for social media upsets
Agencies must find ways to adapt to changes in Twitter’s operations to ensure residents still receive the information they need, experts say.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson
Cloud & Infrastructure
What early adopters get wrong
Long-term smart city success is more likely when leaders take the time to establish data and tech governance frameworks with community input, one expert says.
- By Kaitlyn Levinson