Lipscomb awarded grant to improve Lower Broadway pedestrian safety through data analytics

Lipscomb awarded grant to improve Lower Broadway pedestrian safety through data analytics

Nashville Innovation Alliance grant will support project led by Lipscomb's Jacob Arthur

Staff Reports | 08/08/2026

Lipscomb University has been awarded a grant through the Nashville Innovation Alliance's Nashville Tech Studio to help improve pedestrian safety and traffic management on the city's Lower Broadway sector.

The project, Lower Broadway Dashboard Improvements, is led by Jacob Arthur, assistant dean of the School of Data Analytics and Technology in Lipscomb's College of Business. Arthur will work with the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure to enhance the department's existing platform by turning LiDAR and traffic data into deeper analytical insights.

The project is one of five inaugural grants awarded through the Tech Studio's Civic Tech Jam, an initiative that connects Nashville's universities with Metro departments to develop technology-based solutions to some of the city's most complex challenges.

The awardees were announced at the Nashville Innovation Alliance's annual forum, Celebrate Progress, Build What's Next.

"Using insightful research to help solve Metro problems is good for Nashvillians," said Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell. "We have such deep talent in Nashville thanks to our colleges and universities, and these innovators have stepped up to say, 'I can solve that problem.' The Tech Studio is a perfect example of how innovation and collaboration can improve quality of life."

Arthur's project addresses a need identified by NDOT for additional real-time and predictive information about the stretch of Lower Broadway between First and Fifth avenues, where pedestrian traffic can be particularly heavy.

By improving the department's ability to analyze existing LiDAR and traffic data, the project is designed to give NDOT more timely and actionable information to guide decisions and deploy resources aimed at improving pedestrian safety downtown. A safer, more accessible Lower Broadway also supports the health of Nashville's downtown economy.

Arthur leads efforts in Lipscomb's School of Data Analytics & Technology to bring together business, data and technology. The project reflects the university's growing role in using data-driven research and technology to address challenges facing the Nashville community.

The Tech Studio launched in 2025 with Vanderbilt University to connect university researchers with Metro departments. Its first grant supported Proactive Data-Driven Emergency Response Services, which brought together a Vanderbilt research team, Metro Information Technology Services and the Nashville Fire Department.

This year, the initiative expanded to include researchers from additional Nashville-area colleges and universities. The Tech Studio also received additional funding from Vanderbilt University and Launch Tennessee through the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium Partnership Program, a statewide university technology transfer and commercialization support network. Through support from AWS/Amazon, awardees also will receive $10,000 in computing credits.

At the Civic Tech Jam last October, Metro department leaders presented technology challenges to researchers from area universities. Researchers proposed potential solutions and competed for grants of up to $40,000 to put their ideas into action.

Following the event, the Tech Studio matched researchers with Metro departments to collaborate on short-term, high-impact projects. An evaluation committee of academic, technology and innovation experts reviewed the proposals and selected the awardees.

"People may not realize it, but some of the world's biggest challenges are being solved right here in Nashville," said Sally Parker, interim director of the Nashville Innovation Alliance. "The large number of colleges and universities in our backyard, combined with our growing tech innovation ecosystem, is producing incredible research and breakthroughs that will change the future for many. We want to ensure those innovations benefit all of Nashville, and partnerships with local government play an important role in that work."

The Tech Studio provides a way for Nashville to test new ideas, address unexpected challenges and build trust with communities before solutions are implemented more broadly. The Innovation Alliance serves as a connector between city leaders and Nashville's universities and innovation community, helping develop, test and scale technology-based solutions that can improve city services.

As the Tech Studio grows, the initiative plans to fund additional research, collaborations and pilot projects focused on citywide challenges.

The Nashville Innovation Alliance was established by O'Connell and Vanderbilt University Chancellor Daniel Diermeier to bring together public, private, civic and educational institutions to strengthen Nashville's innovation ecosystem.

The Alliance aims to make Nashville one of the nation's centers of innovation by developing a citywide strategy to advance the region's innovation ecosystem and launching initiatives that benefit Nashville residents. Its work focuses on building a resilient and dynamic economy, developing homegrown talent and businesses, and attracting investment to communities across Nashville.