The City of Long Beach is set to become a living laboratory for cutting-edge transportation technologies through a dynamic public-private partnership with Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America. Supported by Mercedes-Benz USA Urban Mobility Solutions and Xtelligent, this collaboration aims to revolutionize urban transportation management, fostering enhanced liveability and environmental sustainability within the city and its surrounding areas.
“This innovative partnership solidifies Long Beach’s position at the forefront of emerging transportation technologies,” stated Mayor Robert Garcia. “This project will not only highlight the capabilities of our city’s skilled workforce but also create valuable STEM learning opportunities for our students, underscoring our ongoing dedication to cultivating a technology-centric ecosystem.”
This ambitious public-private initiative is structured as a 10-month project encompassing several key components:
- Intelligent Intersection Control System Testing: Deployment and rigorous testing of an advanced intelligent intersection control system designed to dynamically adjust traffic signal timings at strategically selected intersections, enhancing traffic flow and safety.
- Data-Driven Transportation Policy Insights: Comprehensive data analysis leveraging insights from connected test vehicle fleets and the city’s existing network of physical sensors. This data-centric approach will inform future transportation policy and traffic engineering decisions, leading to more efficient and responsive urban planning.
- Community STEM Engagement Workshop: A dedicated community youth workshop for Long Beach residents and students, designed to foster interest and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Aligned with the objectives of the Long Beach Accelerator Program, this partnership underscores the City’s commitment to engaging with local businesses in pioneering technology and civic advancement. It simultaneously cultivates vital science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) opportunities for students within Long Beach. Pending health and safety guidelines, the community-based workshop will prioritize STEM education for local students, with a particular focus on reaching under-resourced communities.
This project is also a significant element of Long Beach’s broader Smart City Initiative, which strategically utilizes data and technology to proactively address urban challenges and improve the quality of life for all Long Beach residents.
The collaboration with Mercedes-Benz and Xtelligent directly reflects Long Beach’s vision for advancing environmental sustainability and ensuring digital inclusion. This includes striving for equitable access and utilization of digital literacy training, internet resources, technology devices, and other essential digital inclusion tools. Addressing transportation challenges, particularly congestion and associated emissions in urban environments, is a core focus for Mercedes-Benz, making this partnership a powerful opportunity to develop and implement impactful solutions.
“Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America is thrilled to collaborate with Xtelligent and the City of Long Beach to explore innovative solutions to complex urban transportation challenges. We are confident that our test vehicle fleet will provide crucial data to optimize traffic signal timing and effectively reduce congestion,” emphasized Philipp Skogstad, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America.
Data protection is paramount for all stakeholders – Mercedes-Benz, Xtelligent, and the City of Long Beach. All parties are committed to responsible data handling. Mercedes-Benz and Xtelligent will only share test vehicle data with appropriate transparency, notices, and consents. Any data shared with third parties will be rigorously anonymized and aggregated to ensure privacy. This project is a collaborative effort involving the City’s Technology and Innovation Department, Public Works Department, and Economic Development Department.
“This partnership embodies the immense potential that arises when a forward-thinking city, a leading automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM), and an innovative venture unite with a shared, meaningful objective,” commented Michael Lim, cofounder of Xtelligent. “Xtelligent is excited to leverage our combined resources to develop and showcase how technology can significantly enhance the liveability, vitality, and long-term sustainability of Long Beach.”
Upon the completion of this pilot phase, the team will conduct a thorough evaluation of the results and explore opportunities for scaling the successful initiatives to broaden their impact.
About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach, California, a vibrant city of approximately 470,000 residents, consistently earns awards for its innovative spirit and high quality of life. Offering the extensive amenities of a major metropolitan center while preserving the distinct character of its diverse neighborhoods along the Pacific coast, Long Beach is a full-service charter city. Key attractions and institutions include the historic Queen Mary, the renowned Aquarium of the Pacific, numerous museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, and the bustling Port of Long Beach. The city also boasts award-winning departments such as Health and Human Services, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Development Services, and Public Works. Long Beach is further enriched by a respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, 12 libraries, five golf courses, 169 parks, miles of picturesque beaches, marinas, bike paths, and a convenient Bike Share program.
For deeper insights into the City of Long Beach, please visit longbeach.gov. Engage with city content on LBTV and stay updated through social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America plays a crucial role in shaping the future of mobility. With a mission focused on envisioning, designing, engineering, testing, and certifying the most desirable vehicles for North America and global markets, this division operates across six strategic locations. Their diverse scope of work encompasses everything from pioneering EV battery research to refining hybrid powertrain calibration and certification, developing advanced telematics and autonomous driving software, and pushing the boundaries of exterior design and user experience (UX). It’s not solely about automobiles; it’s about pioneering cutting-edge software, disruptive technologies, and groundbreaking innovation that will define the automotive landscape for years to come.
Mercedes-Benz Urban Mobility Solutions: Enhancing City Life
The Urban Mobility Solutions division within Mercedes-Benz is dedicated to enhancing urban environments by creating safer, more sustainable, efficient, and accessible mobility solutions. By leveraging Mercedes-Benz’s extensive mobility expertise, this division collaborates directly with cities to generate shared value and address evolving urban needs. The team maintains close partnerships with city officials, public transport agencies, cross-industry collaborators, and both internal and external experts. The overarching goal is to cultivate a world-leading portfolio of optimized urban vehicles, data-driven mobility products, and citizen-centric urban mobility systems, designed to benefit both current and future generations.
About Xtelligent: Pioneering Intelligent Transportation
Xtelligent is a U.S. government-backed transportation infrastructure venture originating from leading research institutions including the University of Southern California, University of California, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. By integrating groundbreaking decentralized control algorithm research with state-of-the-art sensing and learning technologies, Xtelligent significantly improves traffic signal network control for cities. This innovative approach paves the way for a more cooperative, multimodal, and environmentally sustainable urban transportation system of the future. As a socially conscious venture, Xtelligent is committed to the ethical, transparent, and accountable deployment of innovative technologies, prioritizing societal well-being and positive community impact.
For more comprehensive information about Mercedes-Benz, please visit www.mercedes-benz.com. Access press information and digital resources for journalists and media professionals on the Mercedes me media online platform at media.mercedes-benz.com and the Daimler global media site at media.daimler.com. For real-time updates and insights on current topics and events related to Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans, follow the official @MB_Press Twitter channel at www.twitter.com/MB_Press.
