Page 24 - A U4SSC deliverable - Accelerating city transformation using frontier technologies

Improving city efficiency using IoT

IoT can offer significant benefits to cities in terms of enhancing monitoring functions, improving
efficiency of transport systems and improving accessibility to city services.

By installing intelligent sensors in public
transport such as buses and trains,
and in infrastructure such as roads and
streetlights, cities can become more
efficient in managing traffic - from
using real-time tracking to improve
commuters’ experience, to reducing
operational costs and promoting the
use of public transport. IoT-enabled
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buses can provide real-time status
information on whether they are on
schedule, require maintenance, or
even the number of people on board.
By using their smartphones or viewing
the electronic signs at bus stops,
commuters can know the buses’ arrival times and can estimate trip times accordingly.

IoT sensors also allow city administrators to assess the condition of vehicles and foresee failures and
breakdowns before they occur by sending alerts in case of low battery, engine failure, the need for an
oil change, inspection reminders, and other parameters. IoT can also monitor public vehicle conditions
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24/7, leading to higher uptime of services, and, thereby, better safety and greater satisfaction for
passengers.

Transportation also accounted for 14 per cent of global carbon emissions in 2010. IoT-enabled vehicles
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can allow car owners to monitor their fuel consumption. Real-time tracking of road traffic can provide
car owners with the information they need to reduce idling time and optimise route selection.

The strong interest of cities in investing in smart transportation is reflected in its growing market value.
The global IoT in transportation market was valued at USD 135.35 billion in 2016 and is expected to
reach USD 328.76 billion by 2023. The exponential growth in investing in IoT transportation can also
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be attributed to factors including the growth in ICTs, and the decreasing costs of sensors.

Another aspect upon which IoT has significant impact is energy consumption in cities. In 2014, the
International Energy Agency estimated that the global energy demand will increase by 37 per cent
by 2040. IoT can play a prominent role in improving energy efficiency in homes and cities. Smart
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meters allow users to monitor their energy consumption and to make informed choices to reduce
energy usage. Utility companies can leverage Big data analytics to gain insight from smart meters to
better align the cost and demand. For example, smart water sensors can monitor water temperature,
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pressure, quality, consumption, and more. By connecting the water system to the Internet, city officials
and utility companies can detect water leakage and faulty pipelines, and improve water quality. Smart
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14 Accelerating city transformation using frontier technologies | A U4SSC deliverable