Using technology to build smarter cities *PLUS 10 use case areas being adopted*

Cities and local governments are responsible for a wide variety of essential services, critical infrastructure and community initiatives.?Increased density and limited resources have made it necessary for local governments to look to new technology so that they can work smarter, not harder. ?In this article I take a look at some of these technologies and how they are being used to modernize local government.

There are many hardware and software technologies being deployed by cities. Hardware such as sensors, cameras, drones, equipment, and machinery all have one thing in common, they form part of the Internet of Things (IoT), which means they are connected to the internet and can transmit data.?For cities and councils the use of IoT enabled devices can mean less reliance on manual inspections, which for large, populated cities or council’s, which span hundreds of kilometres, this can be a game changer.?

Depending on the device and the nature of the data, the data is often either continuously streamed or transmitted at regular intervals and is best sent to a centralised platform. These IoT platforms can be used for real-time monitoring of devices throughout a city, data analytics and visualisation, more accurate reporting, plus serve as a data storage solution.

Remote control and automation software solutions are the next step in the puzzle, connecting city hardware and devices together to form a remote operations centre. ?This technology provides city personnel with the ability to remotely monitor and control devices and assets in their city. It is possible to automate simple processes and device settings and intervene remotely when necessary to turn something on or off as needed.

The ability to analyse a cities data and gain meaningful insights for improved planning and early intervention is the purpose of advanced analytics and AI technology.?The vast amount of data from a wide variety of sources makes manual analytics extremely time consuming and difficult, and so cities are turning more towards technology which can easily uncover trends and patterns in their data. No-code Artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms are technologies which cities can use to predict future outcomes and identify optimisation opportunities without relying on large data science teams.?

10 use case areas for technology in cities

There are many examples of technologies being used by cities around the world, here are just ten different use case areas that show great potential to improve local government efficiencies and services:

1.??????Smart Parking

In many densely populated cities, traffic congestion and parking are a real problem.?Parking sensors and systems can help cities reduce commute times, directing traffic to available parking bays through digital signage and apps to improve mobility. ?El Monte in California have introduced a system which is helping to reduce emissions whilst improving parking lot occupancy rates and accessibility.?

Smart parking sensors can also assist local government parking enforcement officers with real-time insights when cars are parked illegally or over-stayed. Some cities have used parking sensors and fixed and mobile cameras to automate infringements and digital payments.?Insights from parking data can also help cities learn more about parking trends and behaviours to help improve future planning.

2.??????Street Lighting

Street lighting is essential to community safety; however, the energy consumption and maintenance is a significant overhead for cities. LED lights and lighting sensors can help reduce costs (consuming 50% less energy), integrated with remote control and automation software they can also automatically adjust the lighting based on the current conditions, helping to make it safer when conditions such as visibility worsen, and avoid energy wastage in good conditions. The city of Oslo is known to have over 650,000 LED lights, which intelligently adjust based on its current needs.

3.??????Water management

Water and wastewater are essential but often forgotten services that local governments supply. There are many components of the water industry, including water treatment, water supply distribution networks, wastewater management and storm water management. Each component has its challenges and opportunities where technology can help improve services.?Some of these include automated smart water meters, 3D surveillance on sewers and distribution networks, storm water pump real-time monitoring and remote operations, automated testing and monitoring to optimise set-points for chemical dossing on water treatment plants.

4.??????Smart Buildings

Public facilities and council buildings can benefit from data connectivity, with real time monitoring on electrical, gas and water consumption, along with climate sensors. Using advanced analytics to compare real-time consumption with historical data can help identify trends and anomalies, as well as opportunities for the integration of renewables.?IoT connected critical equipment such as lifts, lighting, HVAC, generators and pumps can also be monitored and remotely managed, with data used to predict future maintenance and reduce unplanned downtime.?McKinsey has estimated that IoT will be able to reduce the cost of energy, spatial management and building maintenance by up to 30 percent.

5.??????Recreation Facilities

Sporting facilities and aquatic facilities are frequently owned and operated by local government.?These facilities can also benefit from technology with smart lighting, access control and the automated consumption billing for sporting club rooms. IoT connected sensors can even be added to park irrigation systems to automate watering and monitor for any leaks, and for more accurate chemical dozing at recreational pools. These initiatives can help reduce energy consumption, water consumption and consumables and improve services for the community.

6.??????Decorative Lighting

It is popular for cities and local governments to activate an area with decorative lighting installations which they can integrate with community events and support public awareness campaigns.?These installations can support the creation of an inviting, vibrant atmosphere that attracts both the community and tourists. With LED lighting connected to a remote control and automation software, council personnel can schedule lighting sequences throughout the year. The IoT connected sensors send real-time data back to a central remote operations platform where the lights can be monitored, and any issues reported.

7.??????Energy Management

Improved energy management across cities is critical to reduce carbon emissions.?Many local governments are integrating renewables into their energy mix. The City of Melbourne has switched its council buildings to 100% renewable wind energy, and many councils in Australia are installing solar power.?Before adopting renewables, cities need to have a clear understanding of their energy consumption, information which smart meters and an advanced analytics platform can help provide, as has been done in San Diego, California and Albuquerque in New Mexico. ?

8.??????Traffic management

Cameras and sensors can help monitor city traffic, reduce congestion with smart traffic signals, and improve incident detection and emergency response capabilities. Cities are using insights from analytics to help drive the adoption of e-vehicles, e-scooters, and cycling as well as to improve city planning to support new methods of transportation.?Traffic cameras are used to automate infringements and video cameras installed to council vehicles can continuously monitor the condition of roads, with artificial intelligence detecting issues in road conditions much earlier so that maintenance can be planned, and road safety improved.

9.??????Environmental monitoring

Technology is also assisting local governments to monitor air quality , insights are being used in the United Kingdom to design pollution prevention measures. In Spain, IoT enabled air quality monitors show real-time insights on information panels throughout the city to increase transparency and accountability. ?Air quality monitoring has become more important to understand if efforts to reduce emissions and pollution are working, and indoor monitoring is being used to reassure people to return to the office post COVID-19.

10.??Recycling

The integration of multiple rubbish bins for more accurate recycling in the community is just one way that cities are improving their recycling. Many local governments are also using IoT sensors fitted to bins to optimise the timing of collections and gain usage insights to improve recycling services. In Sunderland in the United Kingdom, solar powered bins with automated compactors were trialled, with internal sensors providing data on usage, and in Kingston Australia, QR codes have been used to report overflows and damage, for faster intervention by the council.

The Power of Technology for Smart Cities

Thanks to the advancement of technology, cities are quickly evolving, becoming smarter and more efficient, so much so, that some appear more advanced than leading primary industries! ?Every local government organisation has its own priorities and challenges, despite the varied objectives, their appears to be a solution that is either being trialled, tested or has been deployed elsewhere.?

I am a firm believer in the power of technology to integrate a city and its data, to improve outcomes for its citizens and the environment. I hope that this article has shed some light on some clear use case areas where technology can be implemented to improve efficiencies and data can be analysed to provide critical insights.?

Feel free to get in touch with me or my team to discuss how you can harness innovative technology in your local council.