Editing Cary, North Carolina (section)

===Smart city technology===
In 2016, Cary created its Simulated Smart City Program, which allows the town to test and evaluate [[Internet of things|Internet of Things]] (IoT) and [[smart city]] technologies in its town hall campus.<ref name=":0b">{{Cite web |last=Grey |first=Stanfield |date=October 25, 2017 |title=Is Cary, NC the Next Smart City? How the Town Tackles Community Challenges with IoT – DIG SOUTH |url=https://digsouth.com/2017/10/25/is-cary-nc-the-next-smart-city-iot/ |access-date=March 6, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> Technologies already tested and expanded into the community include sensors for public parking that reveal available spots, smart street lights that dim when not needed, smart trash and recycling containers that message when they are full, and free outdoor [[Wi-Fi]] via beacons.<ref name=":0b" /><ref name="Bird-2019">Bird, Hilary (February 22, 2019). "[https://www.nrpa.org/blog/the-city-of-the-future-is-being-built-in-cary-nc/ The City of the Future Is Being Built in Cary, NC]". ''National Recreation and Park Association''. Retrieved March 6, 2022.</ref> The first town-wide IoT project was a smart water monitoring system with analytics from the [[SAS Institute]], which can detect leaks.<ref name="GCN-2021">"[https://gcn.com/data-analytics/2021/11/nc-town-builds-iot-center-of-excellence/316333/ NC town builds IoT center of excellence]". ''GCN''. November 17, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2022.</ref><ref name="Snow-2017">{{Cite web |last=Snow |first=Jackie |date=July 20, 2017 |title=Q&A: How Cary, NC, proves size is not a limitation of smart development |url=https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/qa-how-cary-nc-proves-size-is-not-a-limitation-of-smart-development/447436/ |access-date=March 14, 2022 |website=Smart Cities Dive |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[National Recreation and Park Association]] noted, "These technologies offer more than just cost savings for the city of Cary. They also provide convenient quality-of-life improvements for citizens, and in many cases help lower environmental waste."<ref name="Bird-2019" /> Cary and SAS also collaborated on an IoT stormwater flood alert system, winning the 2020 IDC Smart Cities North American Awards (Smart Water Category) and the 2020 Government Innovation Award (Leveraging IoT for Increased Flood Protection).<ref name="Parker-2021">Parker, Jason (July 15, 2021). "[https://wraltechwire.com/2021/07/15/hold-that-green-light-carys-new-smart-city-project-includes-wireless-control-of-traffic-signals/ Hold that green light: Cary's new smart city project includes wireless control of traffic signals] | WRAL TechWire". ''wraltechwire.com''. Retrieved March 6, 2022.</ref><ref name="SmartCities-2020">"[https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/idc-names-winners-2020-smart-cities-north-america-awards/573768/ IDC names winners of 2020 Smart Cities North America Awards]". ''Smart Cities Dive''. Retrieved March 6, 2022.</ref>

In 2021, Cary installed IoT and smart city technologies that give emergency vehicles faster access through pedestrian crossings, railroad crossings, school zones, and traffic lights.<ref name="Parker-2021" /> This is the first citywide system like this in North Carolina. Paid for by the town with a matching grant from the [[United States Department of Transportation|U.S Department of Transportation]], this project involved fifteen pedestrian crossings, 100 school safety beacons, 205 traffic signals, and railroad crossings.

In late 2021, Cary announced a new tech-focused Center of Excellence that brings together the town, [[SAS Institute|SAS]], and [[Semtech|Semtech Corporation]], to create new community services and expand the digital infrastructure.<ref name="SmartCities-2020" /><ref>Golstein, Phil. "[https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2022/01/cary-nc-build-iot-center-test-new-applications Cary, N.C., to Build IoT Center to Test New Applications]". ''State Tech''. Retrieved March 6, 2022.</ref> ''Connected World'' says, "In the quest for developing smarter cities across the country, ...the town of Cary, N.C., is one of the smartest towns in the United States".<ref>Lansdowne i, Richard (February 4, 2022). "[https://connectedworld.com/iot-connectivity-its-enhancing-everyday-life-in-the-town-of-cary-n-c/ IoT Connectivity: It's Enhancing Everyday Life in the Town of Cary, N.C.]" ''Connected World''. Retrieved March 6, 2022.</ref>