The relationship between individuals and their environment has been elevated and enhanced by the internet of things, which has facilitated the interconnectivity of services and users like never before. The advent of “Smart Cities” pushes the boundaries of the internet of things, proving its capabilities beyond the user’s home. With an ever-increasing population and constant urbanization, can Smart Cities provide a sustainable and efficient solution?
An estimated 55% of the world’s population lives in cities and urban areas, a trend that will increase by 68% by 2050. Over the next three decades, cities are projected to add yet another 2.5 billion more people to the world’s population (un.org). As densely populated areas continue to grow, public services struggle to keep up. The enormous pressure of rapid growth and migration has expedited the need for efficient city management, prompting the delegation of Smart City initiatives. These initiatives require the rapid coordination of data sharing and decision making. IOT plays a key part in the fruition of shared strategic vision required to create a Smart City, as billions of sensors connect to the internet to achieve efficient and effective resource management (Armando et al, 2012).
What sort of solutions arise when citizens are offered a single platform for services that involve multiple government entities? The benefits span from law enforcement to pollution management.
In the last ten years, the integration of law enforcement has grown exponentially. Wearable technologies for law enforcement agents allow for real-time updates, reducing crime rates and fatalities by 10%. For example, Sacramento, CA utilizes real-time crime mapping using Police Observation Devices (POD), enabling law enforcement to prevent criminal activity, saving an estimated 300 lives per year. POD’s can link new information to existing criminal investigations to find patterns and leads quickly. IOT has mobilized police officers by collecting large amounts of data that can be analyzed in a single click (cpoa.org).
Solar powered, censor enabled bins allow trash collectors to track waste levels and optimize fuel usage, reducing greenhouse emissions by 15%. IOT has enabled cities to reduce water consumption and revolutionize irrigation systems. For example, Chicago has implemented an experimental project known as an “Array of things”. By installing devices around the city, real-time information about the environment, infrastructure and activity can be collected and interpreted. These innovations show long term results, such as increased air quality after investments in clean energy, or decreased noise pollution after changes in zoning. The initiative brings researchers, policies, planners, and residents together to take specific actions towards healthier cities (weforum.org). In 2015, the Department of Transportation issued a Smart City challenge, asking mid-sized cities across the United States to propose the use data, applications and technology to efficiently
transport people and goods. The response was overwhelming, as 78 cities shared their ideas for innovation. The Department of Transportation has invested nearly $350 million in Smart Cities and advanced transportation technologies to bring those ideas to life. Atlanta proposed multi-model transportation centers to serve as hubs for mobility and economic activity. Las Vegas recommended autonomous shuttles and solar powered vehicle charging stations to reduce emissions. New Orleans proposed dynamically routed, on-demand mini-busses to provide affordable transportation to underserved communities.
Columbus, Ohio won. They proposed to introduce autonomous vehicles to neighborhoods where unemployment rates are high, providing access to job centers. This initiative hopes to provide low income families access to better healthcare and essential services. Columbus also plans to implement transit cards to grant low income communities the ability to access ride-hailing and car-sharing services, even if they don’t own a smartphone or a bank account (transportation.gov).
The initiatives made possible by IOT are promising and exciting. As population size, crime rate, and pollution continue to strain resources, Smart Cities and affiliated technologies offer dynamic and comprehensive solutions.
Aldama-Nalda-Hafedh Chourabi-Theresa Pardo-J. Gil-Garcia-Sehl Mellouli-Hans Scholl-Suha Alawadhi-Taewoo Nam-Shawn Walker (2012, June). Pages 289-290
Around 2.5 Billion More People Will Be Living in Cities By 2050, Projects New Un Report | Un Desa Department Of Economic and Social Affairs. (2018, May 16). Retrieved from
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Kranz, M. (2018, March). 6 ways the Internet of Things is improving our lives. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/01/6-ways-the-internet-of-things-is-improving-our-lives/.
Smart City Challenge. (2016, August 3). Retrieved from https://www.transportation.gov/smartcity.
3 Impacts on the Internet of Things (IoT) on Policing. (2017, November 1). Retrieved from https://cpoa.org/3-impacts-internet-things-iot-policing/.
The Internet of Things 