Governments across the world have invested in urban planning for centuries. Countries have attempted to create better smart cities by building roads and transportation to enhance connectivity, keeping industrial areas away from residential areas, and ensuring residents can get everything they need without travelling long distances.
The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced information technology have given governments a more sophisticated toolkit to build better cities. At the same time, these same technologies have also changed how residents communicate, go to work, or plan their activities.
To effectively leverage these technologies and to overcome the dynamic challenges that its residents face, governments worldwide are investing in smart cities.
What is a Smart City?
A smart city is a concept used to describe an urban area that offers its residents an enhanced living and working experience with the help of technology. The idea doesn’t define the specific technology or a framework for the city but rather focuses on the result. There are considerable differences in how different governments or smart city projects define the result, but themes of sustainability, connectivity, data-driven planning, and smart utility systems are common.
Many implementations often consider just one or two aspects of a smart city instead of a complete transformation. For instance, a city may implement a robust public transportation system, sensor-enabled traffic signals, IoT-powered utility meters, or air pollution sensors.
As the name implies, most smart city concepts discuss using technology to create better living conditions for residents. They often discuss sensors throughout the city to monitor activities and conditions and act in real time. Most concepts also discuss a varying range of automation for traffic management, access control, and other processes.
Smart cities also often place a huge emphasis on sustainability. Many concepts discuss using renewable sources at least partially to meet the energy requirements of the city.
How can IoT Remote Monitoring help to build a smart city?
IoT systems can collect and process a wide range of data from systems and environments. With this data, they can streamline processes and automate activities that keep a city running.
Here are five applications of IoT in a smart city.
Efficient energy management:
IoT systems can help smart cities better manage their energy requirements. IoT sensors can provide real-time insights into the energy consumption in different systems and help cities manage their energy usage.
With IoT, cities can build smart grids that can distribute electricity efficiently and effectively with the least energy losses. Besides electricity, cities can also manage other utilities such as gas and water using IoT. It can help track the consumption of these utilities and manage them more effectively. Cities can also use smart utility meters developed by an IoT development company to streamline billing using the Internet of Things.
Many cities have also already implemented more efficient street lighting using IoT. These lights often feature motion and light sensors and timers and won’t be turned on unnecessarily.
Smooth and robust transportation systems:
The Internet of things can streamline transportation systems in a city. With detailed sensor data, the city can create better schedules and ensure that vehicles run on time.
The city can also create better parking systems. For instance, London implemented a smart parking system that shows drivers parking locations available nearby. By reducing the number of cars driving around looking for a parking spot, the city reduced congestion.
IoT systems can also automate toll collection for transportation projects. Manual toll collection often creates huge bottlenecks, but RFID toll collection systems can create a better experience for drivers and passengers.
Effective waste management:
Waste management systems in most cities are not energy or resource efficient. Cities spend considerable resources to collect, separate, and dispose of waste material from homes and residential buildings.
With the help of IoT systems, cities can create better schedules for collecting waste. They can also ensure that the different waste disposal equipment is in good condition and prevent unplanned downtime.
Access management:
Robust access management is crucial to ensure the safety and security of residents and assets in an area. Security guards and patrol teams can help, but they’re very resource-intensive and in some cases not very effective.
By combining IoT-based access management and security systems with security teams, smart cities can better ensure the safety of their residents and their assets. They can also reduce resource requirements and largely automate safety.
Environment monitoring systems:
IoT sensors can keep track of pollutants and harmful substances in the environment and raise alerts to keep the residents safe. They can control indoor air purifiers based on pollution data and keep the residents safe without increasing energy bills.
The data from these environment monitoring systems can also help the city build long-term pollution control plans and systems.
Benefits of Using IoT in Smart Cities
Leveraging IoT in smart cities offers many advantages for city officials and residents. Here’s a glimpse into how IoT solutions for smart cities can revolutionize urban living:
- Enhanced Operational Visibility with IoT Remote Monitoring:
IoT sensors act as the eyes and ears of a smart city, providing granular data and insights into city operations. Imagine pinpointing areas with the highest pollution levels or inefficiencies in waste collection. This real-time data empowers officials to identify bottlenecks and make informed decisions for improvement.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making and Planning:
No more guesswork! IoT data paints a clear picture of the city’s needs. Officials can analyze traffic patterns, energy consumption, and other crucial metrics to make data-driven decisions. Facing a traffic congestion crisis? Traffic management systems with IoT can optimize routes and public transport schedules.
- An Elevated Resident Experience with IoT-Based Smart City Solutions:
Imagine a city that caters to your needs! IoT applications in smart cities can significantly improve residents’ lives. Smart parking systems help you find parking spots quickly, while real-time air quality monitoring keeps you informed.
The Future IoT and Smart Cities: A Glimpse Ahead
The potential of IoT in smart cities is vast and constantly evolving. Here are some exciting possibilities on the horizon:
- Predictive Maintenance: IoT sensors can monitor infrastructure health in real time, enabling preventative maintenance and reducing downtime. Imagine bridges and buildings that signal potential issues before they become major problems.
- Smart Grids: Advanced IoT systems can optimize energy distribution across the city, integrating renewable sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This paves the way for a more sustainable and resilient energy grid.
- Personalized City Experiences: IoT can personalize the city experience for residents. Imagine traffic lights adjusting based on your preferences or buildings automatically regulating temperature for optimal comfort.
The future of IoT and smart cities is brimming with innovation. By harnessing the power of IoT, cities can create a more efficient, sustainable, and citizen-centric future for all.
Bridgera: Your Partner in Building Smart City Using IoT
Bridgera is a leading innovator in developing custom IoT solutions specifically designed for smart cities. We leverage the transformative power of IoT remote monitoring to empower city officials and residents alike.
Our team of highly skilled professionals, housed within our IoT development company, designs user-centric solutions tailored to each city’s unique needs. Bridgera’s robust custom IoT platform, seamlessly integrated with high-quality sensors and actuators, creates a frictionless experience for both residents and city management.
Contact Bridgera today and embark on your smart city journey, empowered by the transformative potential of IoT remote monitoring.
About Bridgera: Bridgera effortlessly combines innovation and expertise to deliver cutting-edge solutions using connected intelligence. We engineer experiences that go beyond expectations, equipping our clients with the tools they need to excel in an increasingly interconnected world. Since our establishment in 2015, Bridgera, headquartered in Raleigh, NC, has specialized in crafting and managing tailored SaaS solutions for web, mobile, and IoT applications across North America.
About Author: Joydeep Misra is the Senior Vice President of Technology at Bridgera LLC, specializing in IoT and SaaS. He played a pivotal role in establishing and leading Bridgera’s IoT division, showcasing a dedication to innovation and excellence in the tech field. Additionally, he is an accomplished author and sought-after public speaker.