SMART CITY CONCEPTS
WHAT IS A SMART CITY?
A smart city is a technologically modern urban area that uses different types of electronic methods, voice activation methods and sensors to collect specific data. Information gained from that data are used to manage assets, resources and services efficiently; in return, that data is used to improve the operations across the city. This includes data collected from citizens, devices, buildings and assets that is then processed and analysed to monitor and manage traffic and transportation systems, power plants, utilities, water supply networks, waste, crime detection, information systems, schools, libraries, hospitals, and other community services.
The smart city concept integrates information and communication technology (ICT), and various physical devices connected to the IoT (Internet of things) network to optimize the efficiency of city operations and services and connect to citizens. Smart city technology allows city officials to interact directly with both community and city infrastructure and to monitor what is happening in the city and how the city is evolving. ICT is used to enhance quality, performance and interactivity of urban services, to reduce costs and resource consumption and to increase contact between citizens and government. Smart city applications are developed to manage urban flows and allow for real-time responses
BENEFITS OF A SMART CITY
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Improved People & Traffic Flow
Traffic is one of the main annoyances for many city residents, but smart city technology offers some solutions. For example, public transport routes can adjust in real-time according to demand and intelligent traffic lights can improve congestion and traffic flow. Smart technology can also alert residents to use public transit during off-hours. In many cities, public transit riders can track their bus or train locations and change routes if needed
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Improved energy efficiency and health
Given that city populations are growing, a limited supply of natural resources will increasingly be an issue. Smart technologies give cities the tools to effectively conserve and reduce unnecessary waste of water and electricity. Smart sensors now allow cities to quickly identify leaks in pipes and fix damaged areas in a shorter amount of time. Street lights with LED technology adjust or dim based on real-time data. Homes equipped with smart energy meters reward residents’ reduced energy consumption.
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Safer city. Safer citizens
Smart city technology like Wi-Fi, IoT, and surveillance cameras can improve resident safety and increase incident response times. Law enforcement can benefit from detailed and fast information provided by license plate recognition, connected crime centers, and body cameras. New surveillance camera features like facial recognition, fire, and smoke alarm capabilities, and even locking and unlocking of doors all help lower the risk of crime. These technologies work together to make communities safer.
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Upgraded infrastructure
Infrastructure components including roads, bridges, and buildings require huge investments to maintain and repair as they age. Smart city technology, like predictive analytics, can identify areas that need to be fixed before there is a failure. Smart sensors identify structural changes, tilts, or cracks in buildings and bridges. The sensors then send messages that indicate the need for inspections or maintenance. As you can imagine, this helps cities save tax dollars and lives on preventable infrastructure failures.