Big Problems Can Be Simple — When Solutions Are Connected

These problem statements examples highlight the wide range of challenges in creating sustainable smart cities, and demonstrate how interoperable data can address major issues when solutions are interconnected, and work together holistically.

1. Problem: SMART Train’s Low Ridership

Solution: Increase ridership by solving the “last mile.” 

How: Deploy Autonomous Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (ANEVs) to provide short‑distance, on‑demand mobility within a two‑mile radius of SMART stations. 

Why: Independently owned ANEVs become revenue‑generating community assets without burdening public agencies. 

Solve: Issue an RFP to validate feasibility, identify stakeholders, and establish a scalable ANEV network.

Data Exchange: Application for Credit - Payments

2. Problem: Community Food Security Undermined by Energy Economics

Solution: Strengthen the economics of local agricultural producers. 

How: Improve access to low‑cost energy by enabling privatization or community‑based ownership of local transmission lines. 

Why: Energy is both the great enabler and the greatest constraint. Affordable, reliable energy keeps local agriculture viable and resilient. 

Solve: Launch a pilot project demonstrating a replicable model for community‑driven transmission line ownership.

Data Exchange: Permit Application

3. Problems:

• Public agencies must comply with legislative mandates to digitize operations. 
• Public schools struggle to prepare students for a digital workforce. 
• Employers need workers who can implement modern tools and data standards.

Solution: Workforce development through real‑world digital modernization projects. 

How: Local public agencies partner with students to map legacy system data into XBRL as part of the ADCMS initiative. 

Why: Agencies gain operational efficiency and compliance; students gain hands‑on experience; local businesses benefit from a digitally capable workforce. 

Solve: Pilot projects pairing local agencies with local schools to implement the XBRL mapping process for the Application for Payment.

Data Exchange: Application for Credit - Permit Application - Payments - Application for Payment

4. Problem: Solutions Are Considered in Silos

Solution: Recognize that communities are interconnected ecosystems. 

How: Advance next‑generation infrastructure that integrates transportation, energy, water, education, and digital public services. 

Why: The digital transition is accelerating, and siloed approaches cannot keep pace. 

Solve: Join the Construction Finance Data (CFD) Working Group. 

Participate in the review and comment process for the Application for Payment (AFP) dataset and follow the GAO roadmap for government‑wide data interoperability.

Data Exchange: Application for Credit - Permit Application - Payments - Application for Payment