9 June 2023 3:14 pm
AI in Smart Cities

AI in Smart Cities

Apr 11, 2023

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AI in Smart Cities is turning out to be of great help as demonstrated here in an AITHORITY article.

The image above is of Microsoft.

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AI in Smart Cities: How Innovative Technology is Enabling Smart Cities to Meet Their Sustainability Goals

By Jayashree Jayashankar

The evolution of Smart Cities has been inspiring and remarkable to watch. In the recent past, a typical resident might not have found the technical description of a smart city all that enticing, but today, citizens are more aware and more conscious. They are far more concerned about the environment and climatic changes.

Government and civic agencies across various countries, with the help of state-of-the-art artificial intelligence technology, are focusing on reducing carbon footprints, improving infrastructure, and meeting the sustainability goals of smart cities.

Did you know that according to a report by McKinsey Global Institute, ‘Smart Cities’ have the potential to refine the basic quality of life by 10-30%? It can reduce crimes, lower carbon emissions, better health management and improve traffic management and deliver an enhanced quality of life.

McKinsey Global Institute’s report stated that cities house more than half of the world’s population, and another 2.5 billion people are predicted to move there by 2050.

Today, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), the two concepts that have a major role to play in the development of Smart Cities, are better understood.

What are Smart Cities and Where Does Technology Come into Play?

Let’s begin by understanding the definition of a Smart City. Smart Cities are an intelligent culmination of data and digital technology. They are synonymous with intelligent economic and civic infrastructure with minimal carbon footprints.

It ensures that its citizens enjoy cutting-edge technology, utility, and mobility while eliminating bureaucratic red tape. At the end of the day, a Smart City’s ultimate goal is to improve people’s quality of life, simplify living, boost economic growth, and contribute to its long-term development.

 

But, is it enough for cities to just fall under the Smart Cities bracket and do little to meet their sustainability goals? That’d be a very unlikely situation. Smart Cities can only be successful if they are built keeping the people as well as the environment in mind.

According to Unesco,

“A smart sustainable city is an innovative city that uses ICTs (information and communication technologies) and other means to improve quality of life, the efficiency of urban operation and services, and competitiveness while ensuring that it meets the needs of present and future generations with respect to economic, social, environmental as well as cultural aspects.”

AI in Smart Cities

From more accessible, efficient services to lowering people’s overall carbon footprint, the many smart city technologies now available and on the horizon might cut expenses, increase safety, better protect the environment, and improve our quality of life.

Traffic Flow Management

Intelligent Traffic Management systems can help to alleviate traffic congestion by warning vehicles of bottlenecks and delays. Using Deep Learning algorithms, it can predict and reduce traffic, hence lowering carbon emissions. Traffic infraction detection systems and AI-enabled cameras can drastically minimize road accidents.

AI is used to evaluate real-time traffic data from cameras and IoT devices, such as vehicles like cars, buses, and trains. It recognizes patterns in data and decreases safety hazards and reoccurring accidents, as well as controlling traffic light systems.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the world around us, and smart city technology, such as parking management and traffic control systems, is one of the most effective answers it offers. With the use of artificial intelligence, one may properly forecast the flow of people, cars, and objects at various locations of interconnected transportation networks.

Smart Parking Spots

Parking has always been one of the major concerns for urban residents, and spending even five minutes looking for a parking spot can be overwhelming. Smart parking spots will allow commuters to reserve parking reservations through a mobile app, reducing the amount of time spent looking for parking spots, cutting urban traffic, lessening our carbon footprint, and conserving gasoline.

AI video analytics can detect the number of vehicles and identify parking lines, thus helping in predicting vacant parking spots. This system comes especially handy when a big public event, concert, or game is about to take place and there are high chances of congestion and struggle to park. AI can assist in identifying likely busy regions and recommending the best parking spots. It can assist drivers in avoiding traffic and saving time.

 

By now, several countries are already leveraging intelligent parking systems to help their citizen save time as well as money. The parking system first spots vacant parking and notify through an app or an indicator.  It can also assist in locating available parking spaces in congested places where traffic flow is frequently excessive.

This innovative parking solution collates data from different devices including sensors and cameras. Most of the time, these devices are embedded into the parking lots or are somewhere in proximity to instantly locate vacant spots.

Alternative Transportation

Infrastructure data is truly a blessing. It empowers smart cities as well as different modes of transportation. Today, people have the luxury to opt for alternative transportation like e-bikes, and electric vehicles. Benefit from the usage of 4G, 5G, and IoT sensors to better analyze traffic patterns, trends, and effects through AI, cutting travel time, reducing unproductive idling, and lowering total climate impact.

In electric cars, AI assists in the control of energy consumption, safety, security, and the construction of a pollution-free eco-friendly environment, which is a wish of today’s and tomorrow’s civilizations.

Recently, computer giant Acer launched e-bikes powered by advanced artificial intelligence. The bike, aimed at urban commuters, weighs only 16kg and has been calibrated for “stable and nimble riding,” according to Acer. The intelligent ebiiAssist learns from the rider’s pedaling force, riding circumstances, and chosen level of help to provide a more personalized experience.

Energy Management

Is it even possible to fathom a smart city without thinking of a smart Energy Management System (EMS)? Now the next question is, what is energy management based on? Mostly, it is based on cutting-edge climate and geospatial technology powered by AI and data analytics. They have the ability to improve our reaction to climate change as well as the overall environmental quality of smart cities.

Energy Management System is a software-based solution that assists companies and businesses in monitoring, controlling, and optimizing their energy usage. Some of the top players in the global energy management systems market are IBM Corporation, General Electric Co., Cisco Systems Inc., and Siemens AG.

Consumers and businesses are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of their actions and are seeking for solutions to lower their carbon footprint. This is driving the use of EMS solutions as a means of reducing energy consumption and meeting sustainability goals. The growing popularity of smart homes and buildings is driving the use of EMS solutions in the building automation market.

According to Vantage Market Research, the global energy management systems market was valued at $36.4 billion in 2021 and is predicted to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.8% from 2022 to 2028.

  • Because of their flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, cloud-based EMS solutions are gaining popularity. These solutions allow for remote monitoring and control of energy consumption, making it easier for businesses to optimize their energy consumption.
  • MS solutions include the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance energy efficiency and save expenses. IoT sensors can give real-time data on energy consumption, which AI algorithms can analyze and discover areas for improvement.
  • With the growing use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, EMS solutions are being developed to control and optimize their utilization. Integration with smart grids and battery storage systems is required to ensure an efficient and dependable energy supply.
  • EaaS models are gaining popularity, especially in the commercial and industrial sectors. These models enable enterprises to outsource their energy management to third-party providers, who deploy EMS technologies to optimize energy consumption and save expenses.

Water Pressure and Leak Detection 

According to the American Water Works Association, the 237,600 water line breaks that occur in the United States each year cost public water utilities around $2.8 billion.

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, aging, leaking pipes drain 7 billion gallons every day from our water systems. The World Bank estimated that non-revenue water (NRW) – the cost of water lost due to leaks, as well as standard theft and billing problems – is approaching $14 billion globally.

The World Bank estimated that non-revenue water (NRW) – the cost of water lost due to leaks, as well as standard theft and billing problems – is approaching $14 billion globally.

 

These numbers are worrisome. But, we have smart technologies to fix it. In the past decade, smart water meters have been the highlight of this evolution. Water losses in municipal water systems could be drastically reduced with the help of sensors and modern artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

  • The technique, developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo in partnership with industrial partners, can detect even minor leaks in pipelines. It uses sophisticated signal processing techniques and artificial intelligence software to detect leaks in water pipelines via sound.
  • The audio signals are captured by hydrophone sensors, which may be readily and inexpensively put in existing fire hydrants without the need for excavation or shutting them down.
  • Aside from the economic implications of losing treated water, chronic leaks can pose health risks, cause structural damage, and degrade with time.

Air Quality Prediction and Automated Actions

Air pollution has a negative impact on millions of individuals around the world and global solutions are the only way to address these global issues. Artificial intelligence is a practical technique to dealing with and reducing air pollution. AI can collect sensor and satellite data and assist academics in the blending of climate models.

Let’s take a look at how artificial intelligence-based solutions for cleaner air.

  • Artificial intelligence has the potential to improve data collecting and qualitative measurement. AI can detect patterns in data sets to aid with analysis.
  • AI can forecast future air quality and direct relevant agencies to take the necessary actions ahead of time.
  • Artificial intelligence can provide maintenance insights for sensors and other equipment.
  • AI and IoT provide recommended tools for real-time monitoring of air pollution. AI technology can swiftly and correctly identify sources of air pollution. Smart sensors, for example, can identify the source of a gas leak in a company and effectively apply corrective measures.
  • AI can aid in the reduction of air pollution in the automotive zone. AI technology allows autonomous vehicles to be fuel-efficient. AI-powered traffic signals can potentially help to reduce air pollution. We can utilize machine vision to adjust to traffic flow, reducing driving time.

AI technologies can greatly help government organizations and commercial firms by monitoring air purity levels and alerting personnel if air quality falls below a specific threshold.

  • IBM researchers are collaborating with the Beijing government to use artificial intelligence to combat air pollution and monitor environmental health. Machine learning and cognitive abilities are being used by researchers to increase forecast accuracy. AI can help predict air pollution levels 10 days in advance. Scientists are combining artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to do scenario analysis and take necessary measures such as traffic control, plant shutdowns, and more.
  • Scientists at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom have created an AI-based algorithm that predicts air quality in advance. The model examines sensor data and assists policymakers in understanding the reasons and methods for reducing air pollution.
  • CleanAir. AI is a Canadian IoT firm that provides air filtration for homes and buildings using AI-based technology. The startup employs AI and IoT to provide actionable information on indoor and outdoor air quality, deliver cleaner air, and save energy.

Final Thoughts

A smart city has a wide range of components, and each one has its effects on the quality of urban dwellers. How we live, work, and play will change as smart cities grow and become more connected. From weather monitoring and pollution management to saving energy and water and waste management, Smart Cities may be a work in progress but they are gradually becoming the epitome of urban living.

[To share your insights with us, please write to sghosh@martechseries.com]

Smart city: Constructing materially smarter cities

Nov 23, 2022

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A smart city uses digitalisation-supported information and communication technology (ICT) in its diverse operational exercises, shares information and provides better governance.: Constructing materially smarter cities on Elkem.

 

Smart city: Constructing materially smarter cities

In 2050 close to 70 percent of the world’s population is expected to live in cities and the need for efficient infrastructure will increase. Did you know that the materials used on satellites and space applications play a crucial role in enabling smart and safe cities of the future?

There are different definitions of what a smart city actually is. As a general interpretation, however, consensus seems to align around that the term says something about the degree to which traditional networks and services are made more efficient with use of digital and telecommunication technologies – for the benefit of its inhabitants and businesses

The smart cities put data and digital technology to work to make better decisions and improve the quality of life for example by providing commuters with real-time traffic information, an asthma patient with information on high pollution areas or live usage load in city parks.

This is important, as a study by the World Bank has found that for the first time in history, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities. The study estimates that 70 million new residents will be added to urban areas each year, indicating that more than 68 percent of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050.

Smart cities use Internet of  Things (IoT) devices, like sensors, lights, and meters to collect and analyse data. The cities can then use this data to improve infrastructure, public utilities and services, and more.
IoT is the concept of connecting any device to the Internet and to other connected devices (IBM, source).

Source: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2018)

Cities are also important for value creation and according to the World Bank, 72 percent of competitive cities outperformed their countries in terms of economic growth. In other words, we need the cities and their value creation.

A potential part of the solution

The rapid urbanisation will increase demand for services in urban areas exponentially and put pressure on population centres. In this future scenario, efficient, smart cities can represent a part of the solution.

Elkem has delivered metals and materials for the construction sector for several decades and play a key role in how cities are becoming better, smarter and more efficient.

Elkem’s silicon, ferrosilicon and Microsilica® are materials used to enhance properties and reduce emissions in the production of metals and concrete for the construction sector, and Elkem’s silicones are among other things used as sealants for flexible joints between construction materials, as well as for waterproofing windows, doors and facades.

In addition, silicones also have a wide range of usages within electronics.

“The extreme resistance of our materials, combining thermal and fire resistance as well as chemical stability, make silicones materials outstanding for long-term applications, where you either do not want to or cannot change materials frequently. This is the reason why silicones have become the material of choice in aviation, aerospace and automotive industry”, says Yves Giraud, global business manager in Elkem Silicones.

“For example, if you launch a satellite, you will not be able to change and inspect the materials every three years. The materials must be stable over a 15-year period in a very challenging environment. Another example is 5G antennas, which will become increasingly important as smart infrastructure, where Elkem’s material solutions are vital to protect critical functionalities and to reduce the need for maintenance and inspections for our customers”, says Giraud.

Another example is 5G antennas, which will become increasingly important as smart infrastructure, where Elkem’s material solutions are vital to protect critical functionalities and to reduce the need for maintenance and inspections for our customers”, says Giraud. 

Reliable, sustainable and innovative

With increased demand for new energy solutions and smart applications, the role of cables is also becoming more important. To meet demand, manufacturers are looking for safer, more reliable, sustainable and innovative solutions.

Silicone rubber insulated cables provides both heat and fire resistance, and present high mechanical properties. The materials therefore contribute to protecting our lives in the cities.

Another effect of smarter and more efficient cities is that the need for sensors and intelligence gathering equipment will increase. This is relevant, among other applications, on car windows, which ensure that the lights are switched on when it gets dark, or in buildings, enabling exterior doors and gates to automatically open when approached by people.

“We believe smarter cities are one of several drivers that will increase the need for safe products that lasts. The use of silicones in smart application is a great reusable alternative, and is also of significant sustainability value, generating energy and saving CO2 emissions nine times greater than the impacts of production and recycling”, says Giraud.

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Investment plans within concept of ‘smart’ cities, villages

Nov 21, 2022

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The COP27 delivered partial success in an agreement on a fund for those vulnerable countries; however, it still needs to provide an understanding of the most basic requirements for stopping the current climate breakdown. That is mainly to slash the burning of fossil fuels as promptly as possible.  In the meantime, life carries on. Like in the story that follows, it is not building better with less at this conjecture and not about decarbonising all active ingredients but, like Azerbaijan sharing investment plans within the concept of ‘smart’ cities and villages.

Azerbaijan shares investment plans within concept of ‘smart’ cities, villages

The image above is of TRAVEL TRIANGLE

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. Azerbaijan cooperates with the world’s leading companies in the building of ‘smart’ cities and villages, Azerbaijani Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev said on November 21 during an international conference on ‘smart’ cities and villages, being held in Baku, Trend reports.

According to Nabiyev, the concepts of ‘smart’ cities and villages contribute to the efficient use of water and other natural resources.

“In the next five years, $2.5 trillion will be invested in these concepts. Azerbaijan has been working in this direction since 2020. Our ministry has studied the experience of leading countries when elaborating on the concepts. Within the framework of the ‘Online Azerbaijan’ concept, large-scale work is being carried out to integrate state systems, switch to ‘cloud’ technologies and other work,” the minister noted.

Besides, Nabiyev noted that the effectiveness of the concept of ‘smart’ cities and villages may differ depending on the region.

“When implementing these projects, we take into account the factor of development of local companies and their localization,” he said.

The minister pointed out that over the past two years, 472,000 households in Azerbaijan have been provided with fiber-optic communication, and by 2024 even the most remote villages will be provided with it.

Speaking about the development of these projects, Nabiyev said that more attention should be paid to ensuring the security of information systems.

“In the next three years, 932 highly qualified specialists in the field of cybersecurity will be trained in Azerbaijan,” he added.

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Why satellite data is key to smarter, sustainable cities

Nov 14, 2022

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Is digital trust the key to sustainable planning?

Sep 26, 2022

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Is digital trust the key to sustainable planning? wondered Nicole Bennetts, Senior Urban and Regional Planner in an ARUP blog.  The answer follows.

Is digital trust the key to sustainable planning?

Our growth challenges in cities globally are becoming more complex. Now more than ever, we need new solutions and creativity to help us shape more resilient and sustainable cities in the future.

For the first time in history, we have access to dynamic urban data to understand people’s collective behaviours in real time. If used, this expansive evidence base can help planners, designers, and decision-makers make more informed decisions about the future of our cities.

However, the timing dilemma is an obstacle in harnessing this data. While urban environments typically develop every 50 years, technology moves more rapidly, significantly improving every five years, creating a disparity between urban planning and urban living.

So how does the planning industry keep pace with digital technology to create sustainable outcomes? One way is to improve our relationship with the digital world and put trust and confidence in digital tools and innovative solutions.

While urban environments typically develop every 50 years, technology moves more rapidly, significantly improving every five years, creating a disparity between urban planning and urban living.

While urban environments typically develop every 50 years, technology moves more rapidly, significantly improving every five years, creating a disparity between urban planning and urban living.

Why should planners trust data and digital?

Our cities are where urban planning and living come together. They are a super ‘neural network’ of interrelated systems. To create intelligent, responsive cities, urban development must embrace new possibilities using data and the internet of things (IoT).

Technology and data have never been more available. As a result, urban planning has a massive opportunity to unleash its full potential by investing more time and resources into harnessing data and digital planning.

Tools like the ‘digital twin’ are likely to become an indispensable part of future ‘urban infrastructure’, enabling the seamless integration of the ‘physical’ and ‘digital’ worlds and redefining how we plan.

Similarly, digital master planning is a framework to test thousands of options based on various variables and parameters to test failure, resilience, adaptative pathways, optimal living conditions, human health and welling, energy efficiency and more.

The planning industry must adapt to this changing paradigm, by matching the efforts and confidence invested in building the cloud system and IoT coverage, or risk being left behind.

To create intelligent, responsive cities, urban development must embrace new possibilities using data and the internet of things (IoT).

How Arup planners are using the power of digital

Projects worldwide show the value and credibility of digital tools to create growth and provide sustainable outcomes.

Cities urban tree canopy is a critical component of green infrastructure providing comfortable environments and reducing heat. Arup’s leading Urban tree canopy analysis used is a study for the City of Gold Coast, which uses a computer algorithm to determine the percentage of vegetation cover over different time intervals to show canopy changes.

Terrain is Arup’s bespoke artificial intelligence and land use analysis tool. It harnesses the power of data analytics, machine learning and automation to accurately digest large quantities of data and satellite imagery. Using this tool, we calculated seven cities’ sponginess by measuring the green and blue infrastructure areas to understand how cities can better use this infrastructure to face increasing threats from climate change – including heavy rainfall and extreme heat events.

Another Arup tool is the City Algorithm Tool (CAT) which tests hundreds of growth scenarios using different development and community value parameters to determine optimal outcomes for urban living. For example, Smakkelaarsveld in the Netherlands used algorithms to optimise the scheme design against multiple KPIs, including sustainability and environmental objectives.

Similarly, digital master planning can test site and precinct options based on various variables and parameters to test failure, resilience, adaptative pathways and optimal living conditions.

The last example, solar analysis helps test hundreds of layouts and orientations to achieve optimal living conditions and thermal comfort. For example, for Mahindra World City Jaipur, we used solar assessment tools to determine the optimal orientation for the plots and streets to provide thermal comfort in a hot climate.

Small risks, great rewards

Trust in the planning process is the foundation for our cities to take the best path to sustainable growth. Taking small, calculated risks in improving our digital capabilities now can lead to great rewards for our cities.

Taking small, calculated risks in improving our digital capabilities now can lead to great rewards for our cities.

  • Speed and efficiency, automating tedious and repetitive tasks and allowing more design and collaboration time.
  • Test 3D scenarios, assessing hundreds or thousands of options during the planning process against agreed parameters or criteria.
  • Facilitate approval process, comparing design scenarios with consented planning schemes and existing site conditions for faster agreement on key issues.
  • Identify client priorities; testing many possibilities can help identify what is most important.
  • Improve participatory design; with more data, we can understand community needs and improve community engagement.

Read more on ARUP post.

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