A Lunchtime Lesson on the Future of Streets

This is a rough cut! Enjoy it. : )

July 23, 2025

Every so often, I like to take a break from my routine and explore Washington D.C -- the other Washington. Today, that meant attending a congressional luncheon talk -- The Local Edge: AI Applications Driving U.S. Innovation and Competitiveness -- which took place in the office of Congressman Adriano Espaillat at the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill, just down the hall from the House floor.

The talk focused on smart streetscapes, which refers to the ways our public streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, corners, signage, are being transformed by real-time digital technologies. It's all about the future of streets. Researchers from Columbia University, Rutgers, and Florida Atlantic University spoke about their work with the National Science Foundation’s Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3), which is exploring how AI, edge computing, computer vision, and privacy-aware infrastructure can help cities function better.

Imagine: streets that “sense” traffic congestion and reroute vehicles in response; crosswalks that help protect children or people with mobility challenges; outdoor environments that support delivery workers and gig economy roles more safely and efficiently. Engineers are already testing these technologies through pilot programs across the country.

The panel acknowledged some ethical tensions embedded in smart infrastructure, specifically those involving surveillance cameras. We're already using them for safety and traffic insights, but we also know that they raise important questions about privacy. Who gets to design these systems, and how is the data collected, used, and stored? What's the gray area between possibility and responsibility?

One speaker, Jason Hallstrom, noted that AI and civic design should be balanced between innovation and trust. That felt right to me. As a writer, creative, educator, and citizen-at-large, I believe that the systems we build should reflect the collective values of the people who live within them.

After the panel, I went outside to finish my sandwich in the gardens right next door, the Spirit of Justice Park, where interns and other House staff go take breaks or enjoy lunch. Oh -- and before I forget, the food was catered by Saint Germain Catering, a renowned woman-owned business based in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

What are your thoughts on smart streetscapes? Do the benefits outweigh the flaws? Are you willing to give up more of your digital privacy to live in a city that "understands" and responds to your community's needs?

Also, in case you didn't know -- most congressional hearings in D.C. are open to the public, and of course, there's no fee to go in. Here's a list of scheduled hearings and meetings!