Smart Cities: How Tech and Innovation Can Make Cities Better
Smart cities are places that use cool gadgets and tools to collect data and use it to make things run smoothly. Smart cities want to make life easier and happier for people who live and visit there by offering comfort, convenience, safety and green living.
Think Transportation is a company that helps cities become smarter by providing different services and solutions for transportation. Think Transportation has worked on many projects related to smart cities, such as studying traffic impacts, simulating and modelling traffic, making transportation systems smarter, planning and designing public transit, and collecting and analyzing traffic data.
In this article, we will look at some of the important things about smart cities, such as smart city tech, smart city examples, smart city benefits, smart city challenges, smart city solutions and smart city trends.
What is Smart City Tech?
Smart city tech is the use of technology to collect, analyze and manage data in real-time to help cities, businesses and people make better decisions. Smart city tech includes:
Internet of things (IoT): A network of connected devices and machines that can talk to each other and to the cloud. IoT lets data be collected and exchanged from different sources such as sensors, cameras, cars, buildings and appliances.
Mobile solutions: Apps and services that can be accessed through smartphones and mobile devices. Mobile solutions let data be delivered and interacted with by users and stakeholders.
Big data: A lot of data that can be processed and analyzed using advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Big data lets data insights and predictions be made that can support decision making and problem solving.
Blockchain: A system that can store and verify transactions securely and transparently. Blockchain lets data be trusted and verified by different parties.
Cloud computing: A service that provides access to computing resources such as servers, storage and software over the internet. Cloud computing lets data be stored and processed at scale and on demand.
What are Some Smart City Examples?
Smart cities are not just an idea or a dream of the future. Many cities around the world are already using smart city tech and solutions to deal with their urban challenges. Some of the smart city examples are:
London: The capital of the UK has been ranked as the top smart city in the world by Forbes in 2020. London has been investing in different smart city initiatives such as charging for driving in congested areas, low emission zones, bike-sharing schemes, smart parking systems, smart street lighting, smart waste management, smart water management and smart energy grids.
New York: The biggest city in the US has been ranked as the second smart city in the world by Forbes in 2020. New York has been working on different smart city projects such as LinkNYC, a network of free Wi-Fi kiosks; ShotSpotter, a system that detects gunshots; Vision Zero, a program that aims to reduce traffic deaths; NYC Open Data, a platform that provides access to public data; NYC311, a service that connects people with government information and services; and NYCx, a program that encourages innovation and collaboration among public, private and civic sectors.
Singapore: The island nation has been ranked as the third smart city in the world by Forbes in 2020. Singapore has been pursuing its Smart Nation vision since 2014, with different initiatives such as Smart Nation Sensor Platform, a network of sensors and cameras that monitor traffic, environment and security; Smart Mobility 2030, a plan that aims to improve public transport and reduce private car ownership; Smart Nation Account, a single digital identity for citizens to access government services; and Smart Urban Habitat Master Plan, a strategy that aims to create green and livable spaces.
What are the Challenges of Smart Cities?
Smart cities are not just an idea or a dream of the future. Many cities around the world are already using smart city tech and solutions to deal with their urban challenges. Some of the smart city examples are:
London: The capital of the UK has been ranked as the top smart city in the world by Forbes in 2020. London has been investing in different smart city initiatives such as charging for driving in congested areas, low emission zones, bike-sharing schemes, smart parking systems, smart street lighting, smart waste management, smart water management and smart energy grids.
New York: The biggest city in the US has been ranked as the second smart city in the world by Forbes in 2020. New York has been working on different smart city projects such as LinkNYC, a network of free Wi-Fi kiosks; ShotSpotter, a system that detects gunshots; Vision Zero, a program that aims to reduce traffic deaths; NYC Open Data, a platform that provides access to public data; NYC311, a service that connects people with government information and services; and NYCx, a program that encourages innovation and collaboration among public, private and civic sectors.
Singapore: The island nation has been ranked as the third smart city in the world by Forbes in 2020. Singapore has been pursuing its Smart Nation vision since 2014, with different initiatives such as Smart Nation Sensor Platform, a network of sensors and cameras that monitor traffic, environment and security; Smart Mobility 2030, a plan that aims to improve public transport and reduce private car ownership; Smart Nation Account, a single digital identity for citizens to access government services; and Smart Urban Habitat Master Plan, a strategy that aims to create green and livable spaces.
What are Some Smart City Solutions?
Smart city solutions are the specific ways that smart city technologies are used to address urban challenges and improve urban life. Some examples of smart city solutions are:
Smart parking: A system that uses sensors, cameras or apps to monitor the availability of parking spaces and guide drivers to the nearest available spot. Smart parking can reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption and air pollution.
Smart lighting: A system that uses sensors, timers or apps to control the brightness and color of street lights according to the time of day, weather or traffic conditions. Smart lighting can save energy, reduce light pollution and improve safety.
Smart water: A system that uses sensors, meters or apps to measure and manage the quality, quantity and distribution of water. Smart water can save water, prevent leaks and optimize irrigation.
Smart waste: A system that uses sensors, bins or apps to monitor the level and type of waste generated and collected. Smart waste can reduce waste generation, increase recycling and optimize waste management.
Smart mobility: A system that uses sensors, vehicles or apps to facilitate the movement of people and goods within and between cities. Smart mobility can improve accessibility, efficiency and sustainability of transportation modes.
