Robin Chase believes that "transportation is the center of our universe."

Founder and former CEO of ZipCar, one of the pioneering companies of the sharing economy, as well as tech startup Veniam (and VERGE Vanguard winner), Chase knows that there are major opportunities to cut carbon and enact systems changes through the transportation sector.

"It's a moment — can we capture the momentum and anxiety and deliver cities that are sustainable and livable?" she asked.

A new research report from UPS and GreenBiz presented new findings that also confirmed what many in the industry had already suspected: "the value of partnership, among OEMs, users and cities, all together at the table," said Tom Madrecki, director of urban innovation and mobility at UPS.

But action is still lagging — under 50 percent of private companies are having these conversations, Madrecki noted. That means there's much more opportunity out there.

Bob Bennet, the chief innovation officer of the city of Kansas City, embarked on the ambitious project to "smarten" up Kansas City a few years ago, and he came to VERGE to discuss it then. He came back this year to provide a status report on the project: the city has officially launched technology aimed at engaging citizens on issues, initiatives and action.