Shaping the cities of tomorrow with IoT

Every year, the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) releases the Smart City Index. This index analyzes data and survey responses from thousands of residents in various cities across the globe, and assesses such aspects as the implementation of technology to enhance public transportation, the abundance of green spaces, the level of air pollution in each city, etc.

A smart city uses the capabilities of advanced technologies to improve the quality of life for its residents, increase safety, optimize resource management, and ensure sustainable development. This attracts potential residents and also stimulates employment growth, thus providing a substantial return on investment for the city's continued advancement. We can witness some truly brilliant nation-wide initiatives already in operation across the globe, such as the Barcelona Smart City Project, the Amsterdam Smart City urban innovation platform, Smart Nation Sensor Platform in Singapore and many others.

Among the technologies addressing today’s most pressing challenges in urban living, IoT stands out for its significant contributions. Here are three areas where its impact is particularly noteworthy.

Transportation

Introducing online apps that enable real-time tracking of public transport encourages city residents to opt for non-car travel. And when considering the impact of more advanced technology applications, the significance grows.

Thus, IoT-enabled transportation systems become a vital solution to address traffic congestion, reduce emissions, and improve the efficiency of urban mobility. One significant area of application is IoT-powered smart parking systems that collect data on parking patterns, peak hours, and user preferences. City planners can utilize this valuable data to make informed decisions about future parking infrastructure and overall urban planning. Furthermore, such systems reduce the time spent circling for parking, resulting in improved air quality and a healthier environment.

The spread of electric vehicles in both metropolises and smaller towns worldwide has highlighted the importance of establishing fast-charging infrastructure and connected routes between cities (with ensured interoperability of the networks associated with autonomous and connected vehicles).

The European Union showed a strong determination to enhance the public charging infrastructure, establishing electric charging coverage standards across the trans-European network-transport (TEN-T). As of April 2024, over €1.3 billion has been granted, deploying 26,396 electric recharging points and 202 hydrogen refueling stations. Additionally, €424 million was allocated for 42 new projects in 2024 to further expand alternative fuel infrastructure.

In this context, the logical universal progression of parking lots is to equip them with charging stations for electric vehicles. It will ensure a seamless integration between IoT-powered smart parking systems and EV charging infrastructure, supporting the spread of electric vehicles and promoting sustainable urban mobility worldwide.

To tackle another challenge, the European Commission has launched a program to test 5G technology for autonomous and connected mobility in cross-border corridors and transport zones. This initiative aims to create a Pan-European network of 5G corridors, connecting motorways from different countries where testing of autonomous and connected vehicles will take place. In 2024, a second series of projects was launched to deploy infrastructure enabling Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) services across cross-border sections.

Meanwhile, Dubai definitely serves as a shining example of ongoing efforts to accelerate the implementation of self-driving transport. The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) demonstrates its commitment to utilizing smart technologies, particularly the IoT, to ensure smooth traffic management and enhance the safety of both pedestrians and drivers. Among their projects is the Smart Pedestrian Signals technology, which relies on sensors connected to a ground optical system synchronized with the signal's light operation. This system detects pedestrian movement on the pavement before they cross the street and while they cross the pedestrian crossing. By detecting pedestrian movement on the pavement, the system ensures safer pedestrian crossings and more efficient traffic light operations. It's worth noting that Dubai’s efforts go beyond cars as the city is also exploring the use of autonomous electric-powered passenger boats.

Waste management

IoT-based solutions can turn traditional waste management processes into intelligent systems. Waste fill-level monitoring and smart bins, sensor-equipped waste collection vehicles and optimized collection routes boost recycling rates, reduce waste disposal costs, and enhance the overall cleanliness in cities.

I know it's a tricky question, as waste management ecosystems differ from country to country, but here is a broad look at areas where IoT advancements can make a real difference. Hence, Madrid is dedicated to enhancing waste management for its evolution into a pioneering Smart City, focusing on sustainability. To accomplish this, the Spanish capital is said to implement 11,100 sensors into various waste bins, such as light packaging, textile, glass, organic, and general waste. These sensors relay crucial data to the Smart Waste Management Software System, not only for maintaining an overview of waste levels and optimizing waste management, but also for bolstering route planning to achieve optimal efficiency

Sergey Ponomarenko

Head of IoT practice at WaveAccess

Cascais in Portugal also employs sensor-equipped trash bins that send notifications to local authorities when they are nearing capacity. This approach enabled the city to reduce the number of waste collection trucks by 20%.

Energy management

Smart cities strive to become more energy efficient and sustainable by leveraging IoT in urban landscapes, residential and commercial premises, and in the industrial sector.

Barcelona, for instance, employs IoT-enabled smart street lighting to track pedestrian traffic. Lampposts’ sensors detect when pedestrians are nearby to switch on the lighting, automatically dimming the lights when streets are empty. This initiative has demonstrated up to 40% energy savings within weeks. As of July 2024, the city is also undergoing a €22 million investment through 2028 aimed at increasing LED usage from 35% to 50% while achieving full remote management capabilities across its lighting systems.

In the context of smart homes and buildings, large commercial establishments leverage IoT to optimize lighting and heating based on real-time data, resulting in sustainable reductions in utility costs.

Smart meter systems serve as another notable example of IoT application in energy monitoring and management. By measuring energy consumption in real-time, these devices empower consumers to take control of their energy usage, resulting in substantial cost savings and reduced carbon emissions. Additionally, utility companies also benefit from more efficient energy management through the insights provided by smart meters. Another notable advantage of the smart meter system is its ability to detect patterns of increased consumption for specific equipment. This early detection can signal potential degradation or breakdowns in the equipment, and by catching these issues promptly,  it allows for timely and affordable repairs instead of waiting for a complete breakdown to occur.

Wrap-up notes

As urbanization continues to surge, and the global population is projected to reach 9.7 billion people by 2050, the demand for intelligent environments is increasing. The goal is to minimize the environmental impact while enhancing the quality of life for residents. Smart cities, built on IoT technology, offer a promising solution. Therefore, it is essential to seize these opportunities to enhance urban infrastructure management and reduce the carbon footprint of cities.