Source: Freepik
The challenges of cities are rapidly evolving. As we use the finite resources of clean drinking water, create more waste, and expand city boundaries for more housing and infrastructure, it is of utmost importance to think of city problems differently. With the turn of the century, smart city technology has emerged to create more efficient, sustainable, and livable cities.
Smart city solutions leverage Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, and automation to enhance city management and urban planning. In the United States, city governments are planning to invest $41 trillion over the next 20 years to upgrade their infrastructure and operations using IoT and AI solutions.
So, how can smart city solutions solve urban problems? Let’s take a closer look.
Housing and Infrastructure Management
Smart city solutions provide cities with predictive analytics, which is the usage of data, statistics, and machine learning to forecast future outcomes. In urban planning, predictive analytics can be used to analyze bridges, roads, and buildings and identify structural and maintenance issues. This includes detecting:
- Tilts
- Cracks
- Leaks
- Electrical faults
IoT and automation can be used to notify relevant authorities who will make inspections and fulfill maintenance needs.
Digital twin technology is another critical component of smart city solutions. These are digital replicas of cities and buildings, allowing urban planners and city leaders to stimulate different scenarios before making real-world decisions. Authorities can predict the impact of new constructions and road expansions. The end result will be better resource allocation and data-driven infrastructure decisions.
Sustainability and Reduced Environmental Footprint
Air pollution, carbon emissions, and excessive energy consumption are some of the most significant environmental challenges faced by urban areas. Implementing Smart City Solutions powered by Sand Technologies means fighting back to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and making sustainable choices. Here are some key initiatives that can reduce environmental footprint:
- Air quality sensors installed around a city to track peak times of low air quality and identify pollution causes.
- Smart grids for efficient electricity distribution.
- Smart streetlights with motion sensors and LED technology.
- Eco-friendly public transportation, such as electric buses and trams.
- Green buildings with energy-efficient cooling and heating mechanisms.
By adopting these solutions, cities can lower their carbon footprint and achieve sustainability goals.
Transportation Issues
Traffic congestion and air pollution are two of the biggest transportation-related challenges in urban areas. Congestion forces vehicles to sit idle, leading to higher fuel consumption and the release of hazardous pollutants. During peak congested periods, the concentration of CO, SO, and PM10 can significantly increase.
Smart city solutions help tackle such problems by improving mobility. Some initiatives include:
- Intelligent traffic signals to optimize traffic flow.
- AI and real-time data to adjust traffic signals.
- Real-time GPS tracking.
- Smart ticketing.
- Smart parking management.
- Electric and autonomous vehicles (EVs and AVs) to reduce fuel consumption.
- Smart parking system to help find spots faster.
- Efficient vehicle routing services to reduce congestion.
In 2014, the City of Chicago launched a mobile application that allowed citizens to view bus and train schedules and track vehicles to simplify public transit options. Hundreds of similar initiatives are being implemented worldwide by city leaders to optimize transportation systems.
