Stillwater’s renewal of AI-powered traffic software draws questions about public input

A vote to renew an artificial intelligence-powered traffic analysis program is raising questions among some community members who said they wanted more public discussion before city leaders approved the agreement. RELATED: Bloomington police using new technology to better enforce speeding drivers The Stillwater City Council approved a renewal of its agreement with Urban SDK during its Oct. 20 meeting on a 4-0 vote. City officials said Stillwater has been using the software since 2025 to evaluate speeding concerns and traffic patterns throughout the city. The two-year renewal carries a total cost of $20,000 and runs from Nov. 1, 2026, through Oct. 31, 2028. According to city documents, Urban SDK is a geospatial artificial intelligence platform that provides traffic data and mobility analytics using connected vehicle telemetry and satellite imagery. City staff said the software allows officials to review traffic speed and volume data without deploying speed display signs or trai