Ontario, CA – The Inland Empire has been approved for more than $1.2 million in funding for innovative projects that use technology and data to reduce vehicle travel and improve quality of life.

The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) approved the funding on Thursday as part of the Future Communities Pilot Program – a partnership between SCAG, the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Committee and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The program is designed to support pilot projects that reduce vehicle-miles traveled through the use of new technologies and enhanced data analytics.

The largest of the three IE grants – $499,700 – will go to the City of Riverside for its Integrated Electronics Plan Solution, online software that automates community development-related permits and applications and reduces the need for clients to drive back and forth to the city.

The City of Ontario will receive $418,200 for three mini pilot projects in and around its historic downtown: using technology to monitor and more efficiently coordinate collection of commercial trash;  an integrated sensor network; and creating incentives to reduce final-mile vehicle use around transit stops.

The County of San Bernardino will receive $297,242 to help develop a user-focused software program that allows officers and judges to remotely submit, review, sign and store warrants, reducing the need to travel for court approval.

The pilot projects are expected to begin this summer and conclude by December 2020.

“The use of data and technology is allowing us, as cities and local government entities, to operate more efficiently than ever. These innovative pilot projects will help determine how we can use that resource even better – to reduce unnecessary travel, improve our air quality and make it easier for our constituents to access local services. It’s a win-win for everyone,” said Alan D. Wapner, an Ontario City Council member and president of SCAG.

In all, SCAG approved $2.7 million in Future Communities Pilot Program funding for projects in its six-county region. The largest metropolitan planning organization in the United States, SCAG has committed to being the foremost data information hub for the region.

About SCAG

SCAG is the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization, representing six counties, 191 cities and nearly 19 million residents. SCAG undertakes a variety of planning and policy initiatives to plan for a livable and sustainable Southern California now and in the future. For more information about SCAG’s regional efforts, please visit www.scag.ca.gov.