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The region's toughest red-light camera busted drivers 24,000 times last year

David Gutman

September 04, 2018 |

The Seattle Times |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Des Moines, Washington

A small town near Seattle installed red light cameras in 2016 and officials immediately founder higher numbers of traffic violations than predicted, especially at one intersection, which accounted for most of the tickets issued to drivers. The technology is very controversial among drivers, but national studies have demonstrated the cameras reduce fatal crashes. In Des Moines, the number of tickets issued spike, but then began decreasing, indicating a change in driver behavior.

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Can't Tell Where It's Flooded? Look At Your Phone, Stay Safe

Mose Buchele

August 30, 2018 |

NPR |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Austin, Texas

In Austin, Texas, the city is piloting a new system to prevent injuries and fatalities from flooding in a region known as Flash Flood Alley. The vast majority of flash flood deaths occur on the road, so the city is beginning to post images of rising water through a network of cameras meant to deter driving in those conditions.

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Ensenada shows U.S. police departments what drones can do to fight crime

Gustavo Solis

August 30, 2018 |

San Diego Union-Tribune |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Ensenada

Police in Ensenada, Mexico, have been using drones since October 2017 and it has led to more than 500 arrests and a 10 percent drop in crime. The drones have fostered faster response times and help police decide how to allocate resources appropriately, while highlighting risks before officers approach a property. Officials in Chula Vista, Calif., are working with the same drone company to start a similar program, which could prompt changes in federal policies on using drones in the U.S.

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This Street Artist is Using A.R. to Challenge What Graffiti Can Be

Jacqui Palumbo

August 30, 2018 |

Artsy |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: France, Paris

Through augmented reality (AR) effects, street artists have created surprising, novel experiences in museums and in public. Using an app, viewers can see murals in motion, art floating in the air, and new ‘additions’ to a museums holdings.

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How to help homeless people – without feeding a habit

Stephen Moss

August 29, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Oxford

It's not uncommon for people to hesitate to give money to homeless because of an uncertainty of how the money will be spent. To address this, as well as an increasingly cashless society, an app known as Greater Change is being piloted in Oxford that "allows passersby to make donations via their phones using the QR code."

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Tel Aviv tries to connect an isolated neighborhood

Neri Zilber

August 29, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Israel, Tel Aviv

The goal of The Platform, a new entrepreneurship and coworking hub in a struggling area of Tel Aviv, “is to start solving big as well as local urban problems through social-technological entrepreneurship.” The tech accelerator it offers has spurred the development of an app intended to bring neighbors together as well as a special type of motion sensor that helps people with physical disabilities. The coworking space portion provides a gathering and event space for skills training and more. The founders are even hoping other cities will adopt this model.

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Mobile phone data could help speed up crucial aid to disaster victims

Fergus Peace

August 28, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Haiti

When disaster strikes, people are often quick to provide help -- but that help is often misdirected because it is hard to know where those who need help are located. Researchers are now exploring how to use cell towers and mobile data to predict movement and provide better services.

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In a posh Bangkok neighbourhood, residents trade energy with blockchain

Rina Chandran

August 28, 2018 |

Thomson Reuters Foundation |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Thailand, Bangkok

In Bangkok’s Sukhumvit neighborhood, solar panels generate renewable energy, which is traded using blockchain between an apartment building, a mall, a school, and a dental hospital. The pilot project demonstrates the potential of decentralized renewable energy systems.

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Spare some change? Helping the poor in a cashless society

Eoin O'Carroll

August 27, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Cambridge, Massachusetts

A non-profit in Cambridge, England has created a mobile app to connect homeless people with donations, even when passersby do not carry cash they can donate. Still in its early phases, the app has helped 11 people reach their saving goals -- but critics argue that the app does little to help people see the homeless as humans, and might actually increase judgement and stigma.

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Automated Fact-checking

Tim Harford

August 27, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom

Technology has made it easier to fact-check speeches and interviews in real time. The organization Fullfact has made software that processes dialogue looking for claims and highlights whether those claims match verified data. The tools help fact-checkers contribute to public debate around the world.

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