Planning Commissioners Journal

Tracking Cellphone Users Locations

We came across a fascinating -- but also troublesome -- story posted on the PBS Newshour web site. As reported by Lea Winerman, Northeastern University Professor Laszlo Barabasi "analyzed six months of anonymous cell phone records from more than 100,000 people in a European country, obtained from a European cell phone provider. Those cell phone records gave an approximation of each person's location at the time of each call, because cell phone calls are routed through the nearest cell tower. He and his colleagues found that ... nearly half the people rarely strayed outside a six-mile circle. They also tended to go back and forth regularly between only a few locations, such as home and work."

 As Winerman continues: "Those results might not seem surprising, but the researchers say that the model of human motion they developed could be useful for urban planners, evacuation planning and disease tracking. ... Meanwhile, in a lab across town from Barabasi, MIT professor Carlo Ratti is analyzing cell phone data patterns for a slightly different purpose -- he aims to understand patterns of activity at the city scale rather than the individual. In projects in Graz, Austria, Rome and Copenhagen, he and his colleagues have ... [mapped] in real time the shifting patterns of cell phone use throughout the city. ... In Rome, they combined that information with GPS data from city public transportation to capture an ever-changing picture of the city's activity, from traffic jams to nightlife hotspots. The information, Ratti says, could be useful to traffic planners, emergency planners and others."

See the full story, Researchers Mine Cell Phone Data for Insight Into Human Behavior.

In a related report, Cell Phone Data: Can You Track Me Now? (Feb. 19, 2010), NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce interviewed Professor Barabasi. He told her that: "We were seeing an average of 93 percent predictability across the user base. What does it mean? That means that for the vast majority of the people, you could, in principle, write an algorithm that could predict 93 percent of the time, correctly, their present location."

Greenfieldboyce then drew this interesting follow up comment from Nathan Eagle of the Santa Fe Insitutue: "It's insane. I mean, the vast majority of our species are carrying around a little device that's continually logging their behavior." In fact, USA Today reports that as of the end of 2008, there were an astonishing 4.1 billion cellphone accounts worldwide.

But the ability to track cellphone users has also blossomed into a major legal issue, with serious privacy concerns vying against law enforcement monitoring. See, e.g.

• "Cell Phone Tracking: The New Constitutional Crisis," on Truthout.org (February 24, 2010)
• "Can you hear me now, When privacy matters," Chicago Tribune (February 21, 2010)
• "State stonewalls ACLU on use of cell-phone technology," Barre-Montpelier, Vermont, Times-Argus (March 16, 2010)

Stay tuned. But perhaps turn your cell phone off first!

"I Know It's Only Rock and Roll, But I like It," Says Austin Mayor Leffingwell

This January and February we'll periodically be including excerpts from "State of the City" addresses given by mayors from across the U.S. These addresses can offer insights into both innovative programs and challenges facing cities.

Previously posted:

Shoreview, Minnesota, Mayor Sandy Martin

Salt Lake City, Utah, Mayor Ralph Becker

Ashland, Oregon, Mayor John Stromberg

Topeka, Kansas, Mayor Bill Bunten

Albany, New York, Mayor Gerald Jennings

Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mayor George K. Hartwell

---

Austin, Texas, Mayor Lee Leffingwell
To read his complete State of the City address 

Our technology industry -- and especially our semiconductor industry -- has been central to Austin's economic growth, and thus our quality of life, over nearly two decades. But it's time to face facts: Big chunks of the semiconductor industry have shipped overseas, and those jobs are not coming back. That doesn't mean our technology industry isn't important to Austin anymore. It absolutely is. It's critically important. And it will continue to be. ... But, as the nature and focus of the national and global economy evolves, so should the nature and focus of our local economy ... 

We've been talking about this long enough that I think there is general agreement about where our economic focus should be moving forward: Renewable energy, creative media, and medical technology. These industries are the future of Austin's economy. They can, and will – if we play our cards right – form a new foundation of sustained economic growth into the next generation.

Renewable energy is a natural fit for Austin. We have a proud legacy of environmentalism in this community. We have the technical expertise and the drive to innovate. And, we are the capital city of the most important state in today's energy economy. There's no excuse for Austin not to be at the forefront of the global clean energy revolution happening today. ... I want to make special mention of the Pecan Street Project, which is a collaborative effort of the City, Austin Energy, U.T., the Chamber, and a dozen other partners, to work on developing smart grid infrastructure in Austin. Two months ago, the Pecan Street Project won a $10 million federal grant – an indicator of its promise, and the promise of the clean energy sector as a whole for Austin.

Our second clear opportunity for economic diversification is in the world of creative media. Already, Austin is known internationally as a center of creativity. We are the "Live Music Capital of the World" – and our music industry continues to be critical to both our economy and our culture. Together, South by Southwest and the Austin City Limits Music Festival generate more than $150 million in economic impact every year. ... I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it. ...

Our film and television industry continues to mature. As more state incentives come online, we'll be able to attract more studio and independent productions, and begin to reach a critical mass of local talent and facilities.

Video gaming is another creative media sector that has enormous economic potential for Austin. Overall, video game sales were down a bit in 2009, but still did more than $20 billion. To put that number in perspective, it's three times the size of total sales in the music industry last year. ... We've got a steadily-growing group of game developers and distributors here in Austin now, but we want and need more.

Finally, everything happening with web-based services, mobile computing, and social networking also holds great promise for our city. This is where I believe we have a unique opportunity to marry our tech-savvy culture, and labor force, with the next generation of growth. In particular, I'd very much like to see some of the largest social media companies, like Twitter, establish a significant presence in Austin in the near future. ...

The third big opportunity for Austin is in the area of medical technology and life sciences. Already, some of our largest employers are in the health care sector: Seton, St. David's, Girling, and others. And one of our biggest ambitions as a city, and a region, is to become home to a full-fledged medical school. There are lots of creative, dedicated folks working hard on that goal right now. ...

Lastly, I want to talk about the importance of small local business. Here's a stat that may surprise you: 90% of companies in Austin have fewer than 10 employees. And about 75% of all Austin jobs are with companies that employ fewer than 100 people. I think those figures make it pretty clear how critical small local businesses are to Austin. They are really the backbone of our economy. ....

I can't stand up here today and tell you that the worst of what's happening around us is over. The truth is, it may not be. But, after a lifetime in this city, I know the fiber of Austin, Texas. I know the character of the people who live here. And I can stand up here today and tell you – with great confidence – that for us, the best is yet to come." 

"A Laptop in Every House"

 Should there be a laptop in every house? That's what a Resolution of the Burlington, Vermont, City Council -- adopted on November 12th -- calls for. Here's part of what the Resolution says:

"WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that broadband access is becoming an essential household need in the 21st century ...

WHEREAS, there are many in the City of Burlington who cannot afford broadband access in their homes because of the expense of hardware and provider costs; and

WHEREAS, without broadband access, it is becoming more and more difficult for individuals their rights of free speech guaranteed under the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Council requests the Community Development and Neighborhood Revitalization Committee work with the Community & Economic Development Office to: ... develop a plan to place 'a laptop in every house' ..."

The Resolution then goes on the address the need for a wi-fi zone downtown, and also adds an important caveat that none of this come at the expense of Burlington taxpayers -- but be funded by grants (OK, so that's a big caveat!).

You can download the text of the Resolution (it's a .jpg file).

But my question to readers is this: does this make sense -- and, if it does, how could something like this be funded and implemented. btw, the City of Burlington has its own municipal telecommunication company.