Smart cities are no longer a dream of the future. They are changing the way people live and using information and communication technologies to improve their citizens’ quality of life and increase the efficiency of urban services and reduce waste.
Smart technology can be implemented in almost any city sector, including transportation systems, waste management, power supply, etc.
A crucial component of smart city growth is the Internet of Things (IoT), which can collect data and information that can be used to manage the city in a more sustainable and efficient way. Take a look at the impact IoT is having on smart cities.
Traffic Management
Large cities have the challenge of optimizing traffic, and IoT is capable of improving traffic conditions. Advanced traffic management systems collect traffic and vehicle detection data and analyze it to develop strategies to mitigate traffic.
For example, integrated pavement sensors send real-time updates of traffic flow to the system to adjust traffic lights or traffic signals according to the situation as well as predict where the traffic will go.
On the other hand, High powder embedded LED road flare alerts commuters about traffic issues or advises caution on roadways.
Smart Parking
Besides handling the traffic challenges, smart cities are also looking for intelligent parking solutions in order to use as few resources as possible to achieve faster parking of the majority of vehicles.
Sensors in streetlights or the ground can detect when there is an available parking space and alert the drivers of the open spot via an app.
Smart Trash Collection
One of the main goals of smart cities is to become sustainable and reduce solid waster using fewer resources. The smart waste management system works by using sensors placed in waster receptacles to measure fill levels and notify the management platform of a truck driver that the bins are ready to be emptied.
The historical data can work to identify fill patterns and set drivers routes. It saves money by reducing operational costs, and the smart bins are solar-powered, which makes it an environmentally friendly solution.
Smart City Air Management
The air pollution levels have increased during the last decades, and IoT has become a useful technology to track air quality. They are doing it by monitoring gaseous structures, contaminants, and particles in real-time using advanced sensors.
Then it collects a vast amount of data and uses data analytics to create urban air mapping, warn citizens about areas with high air pollution, and recommend them safer routes.
Furthermore, data simulation systems can identify air contamination sources and create air pollution forecasts.
Improving the Health of Citizens
A crucial aspect of improving the quality of life of patients is the health, and smart cities are looking for strategies to reduce the growth of chronic diseases, encourage a preventative approach of conditions and provide a holistic view of healthcare.
Cities are looking to connect the town with cycling and walking corridors. Cities are creating dedicated tracks for walking and cycling to cut down on pollution and help people stay physically active.
Another practical healthcare approach is data-based health interventions for maternal, children, and people suffering from chronic diseases. It relies on analytics to direct educational campaigns on them.
Countries like China are using the most innovative methods to prevent and treat diseases. They are using drones with facial recognition technology to track those affected with Coronavirus and make they are doing quarantine and reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
Wearables transforming Law Enforcement
IoT is also increasing the safety of a city by capturing crime data in real-time and analyzing it to create “heat mapping” systems that will identify criminal hotspots to predict and prevent crimes from happening.
In addition to that, the number of police officers wearing body cams has grown and had the purpose of recording what happened at an incident with the goal of improving officers’ behavior and help them build trust in the citizens.
Each smart city has a different strategy, but they all share an ultimate goal: using technology to improve the quality of life of their citizens and increase the city’s efficiency. We are hoping more cities become smarter in a few years.