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BABLE Solutions are expert-curated blueprints for efficiently implementable Smart City projects. Each Smart City Solution contains detailed and relevant information, while also linking to relevant Use Cases and Innovative Products.
Solution
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a continuously and rapidly growing technological innovation, aimed at making our daily activities more digitally connected. Through greater interconnected and better data analysis, IoT allows for more efficient, as well as more well-informed, decision-making capacity. This is done through making everyday physical objects internet enabled, through their combination with sensors, processing capabilities and other software which allows for the sharing and interexchange of data. This process promises ‘to transform the way we work, live and play’ (Singhania, 2015). This merging of the physical and the virtual allows for the delivery of more innovative smart city solutions to real world urban problems. At the forefront of the digital transformation, IoT can help in all sorts of scenarios, from traffic congestion to smart home monitoring, energy efficiency, and a wide range of security matters. Currently however, although there are a whole variety of IoT enabled devices on the market, many of which have been implemented to help improve municipal infrastructure, the potential of the technology is often not currently reached. This results from there being various network and device standards, which limit the capacity of devices not sharing these standards to interconnect, speak to each other, and thus share data for optimal network capacity. The answer to this is Enhanced or Interoperable IoT, allowing for seamless integration and interconnectivity of IoT enabled devices, vastly expanded the potential for this technologies usage in smart city problem solving. Many urban technology solutions can work better and more effectively when they are working together within a connected system. For instance, commuters would benefit from knowing the best route to take with up-to-date traffic information, whilst also knowing the current parking spaces status. Without data feedback from all the involved devices, such information cannot be provided reliably. However, there is no universal standard for IoT enabled devices due to relative newness of the technology. This reduces the ability of devices to connect together and share data, essentially limited the capacity of IoT solutions. This problem must be resolved to harness the true potentially of internet enabled technologies. One of the benefits of IoT is to track the use of devices through data analysis. This can help to limit energy inefficiency of devices used across a wide variety of activities. IoT also allows for devices to be controlled, or limited in their usage, remotely. Without internet connected devices, or without those which can communicate with each other, the sharing of important data for the analysis of city infrastructure is severely limited. Without such analysis it will remain unclear how well urban infrastructure and smart city solutions are operating. Source: Vasilov, L. (2021) Knowledge byte: Building blocks of IOT architecture , Cloud Credential Council . Available at: www.cloudcredential.org/blog/knowledge-byte-building-blocks-of-iot-architecture/ (Accessed: November 1, 2022).
Solution
Smart water management aims to guide the utilisation of water in a manner that drives efficiency, sufficiency, and sustainability. To achieve this aim, contemporary management approaches are underpinned by the integration of innovative technologies, such as sensors, smart water metering, information systems, data acquisition and decision support systems. As much as two-thirds of the global population may live in regions with limited access to freshwater resources by 2050, according to Statista (2021) . This report further argued that water shortages will also be felt in industrialized countries as climate change is leading to more frequent weather-related catastrophes and the increasing industrial demand for water is expected to put enormous pressure on freshwater accessibility. Achieving water security, therefore, requires innovative ways to address the delivery of a clean and steady supply of water while optimising the operation, maintenance and management of water utility companies. Smart water management systems are one of the strongest interventions in achieving water security.
Solution
Citizen engagement is defined as the two-way interaction or communication between citizens and the government. This process is continuing to play an instrumental role in the way human settlements are being governed. Decision-making processes are enhanced by engaging those most affected and intimately connected with societal challenges. As much as traditional means such as public forums, town hall meetings, etc. still have relevance, more innovative and convenient forms of citizen engagement are advancing the ways in which citizens can partake in governance procedures. Despite the variations in the form in which citizen engagement may take place, it should ideally be characterized by a clear purpose and goal, clear structure and process, documented influence on decision-making processes, and present opportunities for inclusive and continuous representation. The major components of citizen engagement are illustrated in the figure below. Main Design Components of Citizen Engagement ( Daher E., 2021 )
Solution
The city infrastructure must be able to respond to various challenges including catastrophic events, natural disasters, terrors attacks and further cases of emergencies. For that purpose, an integrated emergency handling system is required that can close the gap between emergency centres and the citizens. On the one hand, this system should be able to acquire information from and around citizens based, for instance, on social networks or various sensors distributed in the vicinity in question. On the other hand, the system can provide means for pushing notifications and relevant information to citizens that are potentially in danger.
Solution
Digital Twins are used increasingly to support urban planning processes – by visualizing urban data, show-casing future scenarios and many other use-cases. In general Digital twins are virtual representations of an object, process or system that can be used to run simulations to optimise efficiency and examine what-if scenarios. The technology has been primarily used for manufacturing to test products (e.g. as of 2018, GE had 1.2 million digital twins for 300,000 types of assets) but is quickly expanding to buildings, supply chains and entire cities as digital planning technology advances ( Castro, 2019 ). Integrating data from the internet of things (IoT) with the advanced modelling capabilities of technologies such as geospatial information systems (GIS), virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) and building information modelling (BIM) allows governments and industry to create predictions of how systems will react and respond to real-world data. Creating a feedback loop between the virtual and real worlds results in substantial improvements of processes and impacts, with time-saving and financial benefits. The concept of digital twins is not new; for example, NASA has been running simulations of spacecraft for decades, but the rapid growth of connected sensors and endpoints with the rise of the IoT and advancements in artificial intelligence has opened up a myriad of possibilities for the planning and analysis tool. Potential uses for digital twins are still being imagined. Uses for cities currently include using digital twins to plan transportation systems, prepare for natural disasters and identify optimal locations to install solar panels. Future uses could include predicting how a disease will spread and informing optimal lockdowns and hospital reservations or using the tool to facilitate collaborations with other cities that have shared problems and mutual goals.
Solution
Broadband Wireless Mesh Network connectivity has become one of the essential aspects of smart city infrastructure. Despite abundance of fibre availability in urban environment, providing a wired infrastructure for any digital service is a costly endeavour that requires careful planning and often results in static inflexible structures. It causes significant civil life disruption and costs to deploy solutions rapidly and flexibly. Broadband Wireless Mesh Networks (B-WMNs) aim to overcome these problems by minimising and/or eliminating the need for wired infrastructure, and utilising existing city infrastructures as platforms for their deployment (Egners et al., 2013). B-WMNs have low installation and maintenance cost and facilitate connection to every possible location in urban or rural environment regardless of the complexity of reach. There are several applications of B-WMNs such as digital home, broadband Internet access, building automation, health and medical systems, emergency and disaster networking (Salah & Salleh, 2013). Public works officials can use B-WMNs to monitor their water and power supplies by installing a wireless mesh network in sewers, water treatment facilities, or generators. Public safety workers can use secure virtual networks to stay in touch. Mesh nodes can also be mounted on streetlights, stoplights, and other moving objects; which creates an opportunity for several devices to be connected to the mesh network in the case of an emergency (BasuMallick, 2022). B-WMN is an infrastructure that consists of a network of routers wirelessly communicating with each other at gigabit speeds (fibre-like). It consists of radio nodes which need not be cabled to a wired port like the conventional wireless access points (Parvin, 2019). B-WMNs have gained increasing attention as an attractive means to provide widespread connectivity in complement to the access offered by regular Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The mesh topology of B-WMNs provides high flexibility, up to 99.999% reliability and under 2ms of latency, ideal for real time high bandwidth applications, thereby, leading to a physical infrastructure that allows for flexible routing and transport connections (Matos et al., 2011). B-WMN infrastructure in urban areas (Cilfone et al., 2019) Problems to be solved High cost of deployment GHG emissions from deployment and maintenance High energy demand Need for seamless and high-speed 5G connectivity Lack of access to dense urban areas
Solution
For the last decade, Urban Air Quality Platforms (UAQPs) have been an important tool for collecting, processing and visualising hyperlocal data about urban emissions. Similarly, UAQPs are generally open for access providing transparency and air pollution awareness. Data can be provisioned either by dispersed sensors across the city or through satellite imagery. The sensors collecting the data can be installed either by an operator (e.g. the municipality) or on private property. This solution intends to solve the following problems: Siloed AQ data Unaccounted emissions Restricted data access Misidentification of emission sources
Solution
A bike sharing system intends to provide a community with a shared fleet of bikes. Therefore, individual users do not have to own a bike, but rather everyone can use the fleet flexibly. Flexible options to use bikes at different locations can increase the attractiveness of biking – and thus the modal share of biking in a city – by providing more convenient options for commuters and recreational users. For each bike sharing system, it is necessary to ensure the accessibility of the bikes and to manage the location and operation of the bikes. European bike sharing systems mostly use a dock-based concept, where bikes can be picked-up and dropped-off at specific locations. New market entrants are also disrupting the European market with free-floating and hybrid systems. Bike sharing systems are most beneficial as part of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) systems. Through collaboration with other shared mobility companies as well as public transport, bike sharing can be conveniently fit into existing mobility platforms through integrated ticketing and pricing. Problems to be solved Congestion Air Quality Climate Change Collision Parking Space I nadequate physical activity Congestion, air quality, climate change, collisions, parking spaces and inadequate physical activity are all ills affecting the quality of life of citizens. Bike sharing reduces land consumption and pollutant emissions by enabling trips that would otherwise be taken by private cars to be taken by shared bicycle transport. Even in urban areas that already have higher levels of cycling and walking, research supports that increased active travel substitutes for motorised travel – including cycling and e-biking – can substantially reduce mobility-related lifecycle CO2 emissions ( Brand et al., 2021 ). Rented shared bikes cover up to 10,000 kilometres a year and are therefore used more frequently than most private bikes. (and associated chronic disease outcomes)
Solution
Delivery trucks for parcels are a noticeable part of urban traffic that can be reduced by implementing a drone delivery system. As the market for deliveries is significantly and steadily growing, especially due to the increasing options in online shopping, this becomes even more relevant. Likewise, the delivery market slowly transforms from a mainly B2B market to a B2C market. These developments lead to the increasing importance of the so called ‘last mile’ – the delivery from the closest transportation hub to the final destination. One opportunity to improve the last mile delivery are drones. Autonomous drones can significantly accelerate delivery times and reduce the human costs associated with the delivery.
Solution
In order to reduce fossil energy consumption, electric mobility is a key component of creating sustainable transportation. Not only is the transport sector responsible for 30% of total EU CO 2 emissions (72% of which are from road transport), but the rate of emission reductions has also slowed down. Other sectors, such as energy, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and housing, have significantly reduced their CO 2 emissions since 1990, while in the transport sector's CO 2 emissions are higher today than in 1990 due to the ever-increasing role of mobility in our lives (European Parliament, 2019). One solution to reduce transport-related CO 2 emissions is electric mobility. Due to their longer lifespan and lower operational costs, electric vehicles can be financially beneficial. Fleet solutions facilitate the diffusion of electric vehicles rapidly and successfully into the market. Additionally, facilities to charge the electric vehicles are mandatory (Proff, Fojcik 2016, p. 128). The main goal is to diffuse electric mobility for environmental reasons. The overall vehicle population can be reduced by building up electric fleets. Plus, using electric fleets provides opportunities for companies and cities to create an innovative image and to test new technologies. The limited range of electrically driven vehicles is often less of an issue for company- and city-operated vehicles, as shorter distances are primarily covered. Fleet applications offer excellent opportunities for fast and successful diffusion of electric vehicles into the market, paticularyl since e.g. around 60 % of annual new car registrations in Germany are accounted for by companies and the self-employed. After their first commercial use, the vehicles are usually transferred to the used car market after a few years. Electric fleets for companies are thus a catalyst for the wider potential market diffusion of electric vehicles.
Solution
Today in Europe, 25% of total GHG emissions are linked to transport with 8% of the total emissions produced by buses. Therefore, transport systems like Electric Bus Systems are a way to reduce the emissions and improve quality of transport and living. ( UITP, 2019 ) The Electric Bus System is a public transportation system that is operated by electric buses only. As every public transportation system, it can include ticketing, information of customers and a monitoring system. Additionally, facilities to charge the electric buses are mandatory. Due to the charging process, a management system for operation and planning of range as well as route optimisation is even more important than it is with conventional bus systems. (see also SCIS ) Problems to be solved Bad air quality High Costs Noise Lack of Comfort In comparison to conventional engines, Electric Bus Systems are free of emissions locally. Moreover, less noise is produced when driving. While the initial costs for purchasing electric buses may be higher, the overall costs of Electric Bus Systems can be lower than the one of other systems depending on the usage.
Solution
Urban data platforms build the basis for a multitude of applications in a Smart City. An urban data platform intends to collate, map, store and integrate data from different stakeholders of the Smart City ecosystem (e.g. public entities, businesses, citizens or other organisations). The data can be offered to other service providers, can be analysed or visualised, and published. Such an urban data platform can be the basis for a lot of smart city solutions as it offers a stable and flexible base for data-driven solutions. An urban data platform can constitute a holistic system, connecting various services around a city by bringing all data together. A multisided-market approach can support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as data is available without any high initial investments. The main concern when it comes to urban data platforms is security, privacy and transparency, which places special focus on the responsibility and the reliability of the operator of the platform.