Syracuse University iSchool, AT&T, and City of Syracuse to

Launch Civic Data Hackathon Focused on City Snow Removal

On Thursday February 8, the School of Information Studies (iSchool) at Syracuse

University, AT&T, and the City of Syracuse will hold an event to announce the
launch of a civic hackathon, Plowing Through the Data, powered by AT&T.

The partnership between the iSchool, the City, and AT&T is the second
community-based hackathon in Syracuse that encourages community
involvement in support of solutions to City infrastructure issues. In 2016, the City
and the iSchool worked with AT&T to run the Syracuse Roads Challenge that
brought nearly 30 participants across 13 teams who worked on road quality
datasets provided by the City.

The Plowing Through the Data hackathon, to be launched on Thursday, February

8 at Noon at the Syracuse Technology Garden, will make data available from the
City’s fleet of 37 snowplows. The plows, responsible for clearing some 400-plus
miles of snowy City roads, have been outfitted with GPS tracking devices since
early 2015.

Hackathon participants will use the data to create new applications and predictive
analyses which could be used to help the City address snow removal issues and
plan better for snow-related weather events.

Syracuse City Mayor Ben Walsh announced a snow safety plan just days after his
inauguration last month, and has made issues surrounding snow removal an early
focus of his administration.

“It starts with us. We’re excited to involve our community in not just the
enforcement, but in the long-term solutions needed to improve the way we
handle snow. A better snow plan can improve commuting, safety, and pride in our
city,” said Mayor Walsh.
"When the City makes data available to the public, people can see how the City
works. For this challenge, when people see where snow plows go, they can help
us work better, continue our conversations across platforms, and enable us to
come together to tackle this challenge," said Sam Edelstein, Chief Data Officer for
the City of Syracuse.

“I’m proud that the iSchool will again be partnering with the City of Syracuse and
AT&T by lending our expertise to the hackathon,” said Elizabeth D. Liddy, Dean of
the iSchool. “Our faculty and students are deeply engaged in using data to
address a wide range of issues, including the use of data for civic good. I am
looking forward to seeing the solutions that all of the teams propose.”

“AT&T is proud to collaborate with the City of Syracuse, Syracuse University and
Mayor Walsh to provide this unique challenge to students and career
technologists across Central New York to come up with innovative solutions to
one of the region’s most disruptive winter challenges, snow," said Marissa
Shorenstein, President, Northeast Region, AT&T. "This competition is a unique
approach to showcase how technology and data can be used for social good and
assist municipalities to address issues impacting their residents. As a judge, I am
excited to see what the talented local tech community creates to help the City of
Syracuse utilize its robust open data platform to address logistical and safety issue
associated with winter."

Challenge Timeline

The challenge is designed to engage technologists, designers, developers, and

anyone else who is interested to use their skills for social good. No prior
experience is needed to participate, and the challenge is open to anyone –
students and community members. Cash prizes of $3,500, $2,000, and $1,500 will
be given to first-, second-, and third-place winners.

February 8: Plowing Through the Data, powered by AT&T launch and dataset
made available

February 15: Snow Safety Summit. The City's Innovation Team will facilitate 4
different stations exploring issues around snow removal. Participants in the
challenge are encouraged to attend to better understand the challenges that City
residents want solutions to address. 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Dr. Weeks Elementary
School (Cafeteria) - 710 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse.

Week of February 20: Virtual Open Office Hours with iSchool faculty members.
iSchool faculty members will be available online for virtual meetings and
consultation with participants and teams about data and projects. Dates will be
communicated to participants who register their teams.

March 1: Projects due by 11:59 PM.

March 7: Winners will be announced at a public ceremony at the iSchool with

officials from the City of Syracuse and AT&T present.

More Information

Challenge details, instructions, a signup form, and downloadable dataset files are
available online at the iSchool’s website: ischool.syr.edu/snowdata.

Media Details

Members of the media are invited to attend the February 8 launch event at Noon
at the Syracuse Technology Garden – 235 Harrison Street. Interview opportunities
with City officials, iSchool faculty, and AT&T representatives will be available.

A media opportunity will also be available during the announcement of winners

on March 7. More details will be released to the media at the end of February.

Media Contacts

Ruthnie Angrand J.D. Ross

Director of Communications Director of Communications
City of Syracuse Syracuse University
Office of the Mayor School of Information Studies
315.448.8047 315.443.3094
rangrand@syrgov.net rossjd@syr.edu