Lighting It Up in Orange

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The Syracuse Surge is not a new on-campus drink sponsored by Red Bull, but the city’s coming conversion to 5G and “smarter” infrastructure. A report in the Daily Orange, provides more details about the technical advances coming to Syracuse.

An overhaul of the lighting system is the first major renovation planned. It will go hand in hand with improved broadband internet access that will support a regional Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math school. Information about the Surge was presented by Sam Edelstein, Syracuse’s chief data officer. The plan was proposed by Mayor Ben Walsh.

“Our point of view is that using data and information allows us to make more equitable, fair and informed decisions about the way that we should be spending the cities resources and ultimately taxpayers’ resources,” Edelstein said. Upgrading the downtown lights and operating  them through a central network is projected to result in savings of over $3 million. Even with the purchase of an additional 17,500 street lights, the savings generated would be significant. 

The second prong of the plan will see the heightened broadband capabilities helping to create a Southside Campus for the new economy. The Daily Orange, noted the southeast area of the city was selected because no major financial investments have been poured into that section of Syracuse in decades. The Surge will bring the STEAM school to an underserved population.

Edelstein did say he was aware the project does present challenges, particularly in regards to privacy issues impacted by data sharing. The timeline is still undergoing revisions.  “You don’t make changes by doing the things that you’re already doing,” said professor Steve Sawyer. “I think the city has a really good sense of what’s possible.”

February 19, 2019

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