The project’s scope ranges from adding paths for pedestrians and bicyclists to expanding the city’s high-speed fiber-optic network and relocating its existing components underground.
Ruston Public Works Utilities Manager Andrew Halbrook says that will provide an increased level of protection for the city — which, since facing a tornado in 2019, has also experienced effects from a hurricane and significant snowstorm.
“While, knock on wood, we hope we don’t have any other major disasters, I don’t think we’ll be that lucky,” Halbrook says. “To be as resilient as possible with wind damage events will greatly affect utilities. The more we can place underground, the less likely we are to have any negative interactions. Customers can expect more reliable service and connectivity.”
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City Eyes a Number of Smart Tech Items for the Future
Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker estimates that the revitalization project’s five phases could take up to two years to complete. Various smart technology elements that the city could incorporate are still being determined.
Ruston residents may, for instance, eventually be able to locate available downtown parking spaces using an app or receive messages on their devices to alert them to an upcoming road closure, Halbrook says. This could be accomplished with the help of photocell sensors that brighten and dim LED streetlights and can also transmit information.
Ruston’s Monroe Street Corridor Project is a core part of its smart city plans. Source: City of Ruston, La.
The city also hopes to implement an autonomous shuttle, which, according to Halbrook, would be geofenced to operate on a dedicated path in its own lane, and would possibly run on 4G connectivity.
The vehicle could transport residents between downtown, the university’s campus and its athletics center, replacing a more traditional shuttle that Walker says currently offers rides from downtown Ruston to the university’s stadium when there is a football game.
“Once we get the autonomous lanes and vehicles in place, that will be something that runs 24/7, or on a regular schedule every day,” he says.
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Implementations Will Build on the City’s Previous Advancements
An automated shuttle option wouldn’t be Ruston’s first foray into service-based technology. Smart solutions are currently being used in several operational areas within the city.
After area schools switched to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ruston expanded the free Wi-Fi capabilities, powered by Cisco routers mounted on top of light poles, that were available at some of its public parks and other facilities.