Market research firm Lead to Market conducted a study on behalf of the Otonomo company in which it analyzed the benefits of smart cities and connected transportation in the United States. The survey asked business leaders and politicians about their use of the structures.
Table of Contents: What awaits you in this article
Smart cities: intelligent networking on the rise
The digital linking of urban segments is steadily increasing in modern cities. On the one hand, the use of video surveillance, automated systems for traffic control and urban planning elements has been advanced for years. On the other hand, the digital linking of all affected areas and their optimization is also gradually increasing.
Traffic digitization: against the collapse of cities
As more and more people from all walks of life are moving into urban areas, they are becoming increasingly overburdened. Everyone wants to benefit as much as possible from all the advantages of the metropolises, but often without having to forego previously cherished amenities. People like to take advantage of the short distances to shopping and cultural events. But that doesn’t mean they leave their cars at home more often. The consequences are foreseeable. Congested city centers, increasing noise and air pollution, as well as an increase in accidents and heavily stressed infrastructures. It is therefore hoped that expanded digitization will provide a quick and, above all, cost-effective remedy.
More data – more opportunities
The political and business leaders surveyed have a large number of traffic policy measures on their agendas to remedy such shortcomings. About a third of them plan to start real-time recording of road users in the future. Nearly 70 percent said they are already using collected mobility data to better manage major events. And about 25 percent are using sensor technology in road infrastructure to get an overview of its use. To this end, modules are primarily installed in toll booths to provide information about the condition of roads and the type of users they have.
IoT for a better life in the smart city
Many of the political and economic actors interviewed stated that they merely wanted to improve the quality of life of residents with the increased use of growing data volumes in the smart city. In terms of traffic monitoring, this also seems to correspond to the facts. For example, the developers at Otonomo believe that by combining a wide variety of technologies, it will ultimately even be possible to save lives. The combination of real-time monitoring, emergency plans and congestion-reducing tools could not only help reduce the number of traffic fatalities. The resulting improved air quality would also be able to prevent long-term health effects.
