Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB creates smart intersection with Vivacity road sensors

The council began the installation of 65 Vivacity sensors throughout the borough in 2022. A cluster of sensors in Brierley Hill will support a smart intersection at Venture Way and Mill Street by the end of 2023. Sensor data feed into Vivacity's Smart Junction platform for timely light changes based on current motor vehicle, bike, and pedestrian traffic. The AI-powered sensor network assists borough officials during the development of local solutions for traffic congestion and safety.

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Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB

United Kingdom

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB improves energy efficiency with smart thermometer project

Council officials and Switchee Ltd. are installing the smart devices in 5,000 council homes. Participating residents achieve an average savings of 15% on their energy bills, while learning how to consume less energy. Smart therometers gather ongoing climate data used by Dudley to identify necessary insulation and appliance upgrades. The borough also uses the devices to quickly communicate with residents about significant changes in energy usage.

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Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB

United Kingdom

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB improves the lives of dementia patients with Project RITA

Residents with dementia received tablets equipped with Reminiscent Interactive Therapy Assistant (RITA) software. RITA uses photos, sound clips, and videos of familiar people or events to produce positive responses from users. The project serves residents at 11 nursing homes and two council-run dementia gateways. Therapists and nurses reported decreased falls, increased focus, and calmer demeanors among Project RITA participants.

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Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB

United Kingdom

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB fosters public feedback through People's Panel

The People's Panel started with random invitations for participation sent to 10,000 local residents. Fifty applicants representative of Dudley's demographics were selected from this group to advise the council. The remaining invitees were asked to provide their thoughts over a one-month feedback period. A four-day assembly of the People's Panel considered the futures of Dudley and Brierly Hill over one, three, and 10 years. Each People's Panel member received £300 for their participation.

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Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB

United Kingdom

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB achieves ultrafast Internet through Virgin Media partnership

The council signed a five-year contract with Virgin Media Business to use the company's fibre-optic cables. This network provides connectivity speeds up to 10 gigabytes per second, a rate 20 times the national average. Dudley will connect 178 locations to the ultrafast fiber network including council offices, libraries, and schools. Local residents benefit from faster download speeds through the council's Dudley Connect Wi-Fi service.

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Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB

United Kingdom

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB eases demand on local grid with LED streetlight project

The project involves replacing 6,600 streetlights on high-traffic streets with controllable LED fixtures. Borough staffers can adjust lighting levels depending on time of day and traffic levels. The new streetlights reduce energy usage by 100 kilowatts during costly peak-use periods. Council leaders approved the streetlight conversion project as part of its Invest to Save public works initiative.

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Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB

United Kingdom

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB encouraged entrepreneurs with town center market pilot

Businesses in the St. Thomas ward were invited to a workshop hosted by the council's Business First service and Tudor Markets. Attendees received assistance with operating in the Tudor-run market in the town center. The event also included applications for up to 10 market stalls each with three months of subsidized rent. Business First issued grants up to £500 for businesses to implement workshop advice in their new locations.

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Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, GB

United Kingdom