On Top of the Game

North Carolina’s Triangle region (connected by Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill) is known for its academic institutions, technological innovation, and civic collaboration. Home to the country’s largest research park, the cities of the Triangle are leading the way in smart city development. From its technological roots to current innovations, the Triangle leverages data, IoT devices, and integrated software solutions to revolutionize how urban areas function.

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The Triangle’s Tech Roots

The Research Triangle Park (RTP) was established in 1959 and has since developed to become one of the country’s leading technology centers. Strategically positioned among the region’s three leading educational institutions, the RTP was formed through collaborative efforts between these universities, state and local governments, and the wider community.

Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill continue to provide the foundation of the Triangle’s tech growth. The talent pipeline from these universities is key to the area’s success. The RTP is now the largest research park in the country and has transformed the state’s economy beyond its agriculture and manufacturing roots.

Six years after the RTP’s establishment, IBM became the park’s first major tenant, helping to establish the area’s credibility. Since then, other major tech firms have moved in,  including Cisco Systems and Lenovo. Apple has also announced plans to develop a campus in the area, committing $522 million dollars for its construction.

The Triangle's transformation into a smart region began with early initiatives that integrated technology into urban planning and infrastructure. For example, Wilson (part of the greater Triangle region) started to connect every home, business, and school to high-speed broadband back in 2008.

Cary also followed suit, implementing connectivity and security infrastructure in their city center. In 2014, entrepreneurs and tech companies used the government complex as a testbed for smart city solutions, bringing smart street lights and parking spaces to the city.

Shortly after, Raleigh launched the first Smart Cities Summit in 2018 (since rebranded to the Connected Triangle+ Summit). Together, all of these advancements reflect the Triangle’s commitment to embrace technology for smarter urban development.

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Smart Cities in the Triangle Today

Current smart city initiatives are transforming how local governments deliver services and interact with their communities. Consider Durham, which ranked number 5 in the 2024 Digital Cities Survey for its population category. Durham stands out for its digital inclusion initiatives and deployment of AI-powered tools for threat detection, resident engagement, and criminal investigations.

Just south in Cary, LoRaWAN wireless infrastructure has been deployed to support government and resident-facing smart sensors. Other smart city initiatives in the Triangle include Morrisville, where the award-winning Morrisville Central app has transformed resident engagement.

"Once (residents) become invested in the benefits you are able to provide, the conversations change from why to what's next," said Billy Whitehead, Morrisville’s Smart City Program Manager.

With over 51,000 interactions in 2024 alone, Morrisville Central now features a customizable Smart City Dashboard that lets residents monitor everything from electric car chargers to park facilities, plus a GenAI-powered CitiBot that improves information accessibility.

Additionally, Chapel Hill has developed interactive maps to deliver real-time information on services ranging from snow removal to leaf collection. In Wilson, their utility management platform has surpassed 21,000 users, processing more than 240,000 payments since its launch in early 2024.

The MyWilson portal also provides city administrators with better tools to manage utility issues and deliver a more responsive service to the community, all the while simplifying and creating a seamless experience for residents.

"We provide granular utility meter data to our customers that allows them to monitor and analyze their usage patterns to find efficiencies and, hopefully, savings," said Matthew G Nestor, Wilson’s Assistant Director of Finance.

As the Triangle’s largest city, Raleigh has also implemented several innovative smart city solutions to enhance citizens’ daily lives.

"We have developed a digital twin of the city and are still exploring all its uses," said John Holden, Raleigh's Smart City Manager.

This virtual replica allows planners and engineers to visualize and test changes before implementing them in the physical environment. The capital’s Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) represents another significant advancement.

“We have several devices and monitors around the city and larger region to help us track and predict flash floods and, in some ways, take measures to mitigate rising waters," explains Holden.

The FEWS is also complemented by regional collaboration on environmental monitoring.

"We will be deploying air quality monitors around the Triangle in an integrated, local system,” continues Holden. “This pilot project will explore heat and air quality monitoring in and between at least three communities in the Triangle and test public awareness and future actionable alerts or other methods to improve citizen awareness.”

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The Future of Smart Cities in the Triangle

As we look to the future, we can expect smart city initiatives to gain even more momentum across the Triangle.

"Certainly the use of AI within devices and software will become more commonplace and perhaps even commodity – that is, if your technology doesn’t use AI then it is not marketable," says Holden. "However, from a use-case and citizen-centric point of view, I think we will look to explore more devices that improve our own human condition."

Holden imagines this to come in the form of improved parking awareness apps, environmental monitoring systems, and technologies designed for digital inclusion.

Additionally, Raleigh plans to deploy virtual reality occupational and skills training in community centers serving historically disadvantaged neighborhoods. The city is also testing innovative solid waste and recycling technology to improve sustainability education for residents.

Over in Wilson, the utility management platform will soon incorporate two-way messaging features. The city also aims to integrate additional municipal resources to eliminate login fatigue and increase service utilization.

Back in Morrisville, the town plans to evolve its city app from an information hub to a community platform where residents can share opinions and connect with local businesses through gamification.

"Further driving engagement in Morrisville Central while working with local businesses has a big appeal for us," said Whitehead.

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Collaboration, Innovation, Impact

All of these smart city initiatives in the Triangle demonstrate technology truly serving the community, from Raleigh's flash flood warning system to Wilson's utility management platform. The region's collaborative spirit spans across municipalities, universities, and private enterprises, creating a unique ecosystem for innovation.

As these smart city efforts continue to grow, they will become more integrated into residents' daily lives, building communities that are more livable, sustainable, and equitable - the ultimate goals of any smart city initiative.