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Smart Cities, what are they made of?

What makes a city smart?


Powered primarily by ICT, a smart city is an advanced municipality that uses IoT sensors and video cameras to collect and analyze data. This tech-driven framework helps develop and promote sustainable practices that tackle challenges caused by growing urbanization. Through the power of wireless technology, smart cities use a network of connected objects to transfer data. Moreover, cloud-based applications make it simple to receive and manage information. Not only does this allow for more informed decision-making, but it also helps improve the inner workings of a city.

Some IoT devices that smart cities employ include lights, meters, and connected sensors. Using the data that these machines generate, cities can enhance their infrastructure, facilities, and public utilities. What’s more, this heightened transparency encourages communities to rework energy distribution, minimize pollution, and reduce traffic congestion. To promote these necessary changes, here are some technologies that smart cities use.

Smart City Technologies

In essence, smart city devices seek to breathe efficiency into data collection. With help from some of the following gadgets, equipment, and apparatuses, gathering, managing, and examining data has never been simpler.

Smart Utility Meters

Smart meters are ideal for tracking energy consumption. When connected to a smart energy grid, these devices allow utility companies to monitor and manage energy flow. When utility companies are privy to this information, it bodes well for increased awareness and savvy financial spending.

Smart Transportation

With more people growing fond of connected vehicles and smart cars, smart transportation is making its way to public transit systems. Most notably, smart transportation effortlessly eliminates congestion. This technology also helps prevent vehicle crashes. With the growing prevalence of voice search and location data abilities, we can expect to see more developments on the smart transportation front.

Smart Waste Management

Notorious for its inefficiency and costliness, waste management is not without its flaws. Perhaps the most annoying aspect of waste management is that it causes traffic. Fortunately, smart waste management solutions provide convenient alternatives to otherwise cumbersome methods. For instance, when a trash can gets too full, smart technology sends this information to waste management companies while providing the quickest route. In addition to being enlightening, this data also helps save time and money.

Examples Of Smart Cities

Europe is at the forefront of smart city developments. In fact, the European Commission set aside over 360 million euros for smart city initiatives. As a result, cities like Paris and London have seen tremendous growth and prosperity. Here’s how these renowned metropolises have integrated smart technology into their daily proceedings.

Paris

To encourage positive energy output, Vincent Callebaut Architectures created a proposal for high-rise buildings. This proposal was introduced after the city’s climate plan, which strives to reduce 75 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

London

In 2014, Westminster unveiled SmartPark. This smart parking project makes it easy for drivers to locate parking spaces. This ingenious plan keeps more drivers off the road and, in turn, alleviates traffic congestion.

Unfortunately, North America has failed to follow suit, resulting in untapped potential and wasted resources. However, some cities have taken advantage of smart technology, and here’s how those areas are benefiting from modern advancements.

New York City

New York City is infamous for its traffic, making it crucial for this booming metropolis to take a page out of London’s playbook. Fortunately, officials are working on a project that will improve road safety and reduce collisions. Through safety applications, this project aims to safeguard pedestrians while eliminating pain points.

San Francisco

San Francisco is exploring similar programs. Unlike New York City, San Francisco is honing in on traffic signals and range communication. To promote optimal safety and decrease emergency vehicle response times, San Francisco is using the power of smart technology to streamline dispatches and make traffic signals more intelligent.

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If you would like to hear more about how emerging IoT technologies, and how IoT is used in smart cities. Speak to one of the team members at Davra to explain what we can offer. Click here to contact Davra today! 

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