Looking at the role of technology in addressing Atlanta’s transit challenges

By 2040 the 20-county Atlanta region will add 2.5 million people, bringing the region’s population to more than 8 million, according to data from the Atlanta Regional Commission.

As “Closer Look” continues its series, “Gridlocked:  What’s Moving Atlanta?”, the show looks at innovations to improve transit.

First, there was an update on the newly created Atlanta Department of Transportation. During her State of the City address earlier this year, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the city would launch the department. It’s an effort that Atlanta City Councilman Andre Dickens, who represents Post 3 At-Large, has been working on since 2017. He stopped by “Closer Look” to talk about how the department will be structured, its early priorities and when a leader could be chosen.