Smart cities are defined by the European Union as places where traditional networks and services are made more efficient through the use of digital solutions for the benefit of their inhabitants and businesses.
In theory, a typical smart city contains a large number of sensors that collect and manage a large amount of data, in order to allow for sustainable, energy-efficient mobility.
Our parents would have called them the cities of the future, where everything or almost everything is automated. The sectors are the following:
- Mobility
- School
- Tourism
- Government
- Healthcare
Mobility and Smart Parking
For a smart city to improve the quality of life of its citizens, it must be efficient in terms of mobility. Mobility basically means less traffic and fewer emissions. How can this be achieved? And when?
Think of traffic lights, and how they detect the presence of cars at intersections to minimise unnecessary stops: how much time is wasted and how much pollution is caused by stopping at a red light if no one is coming in the other direction? The traffic light receives the information and immediately gives the green light without any unnecessary waiting. Is this the future? This has already been the case in Switzerland for thirty years.
It has been statistically proven that 40% of city traffic is generated by drivers, often nervous and looking for parking. They create noise and pollution for the city, and stress and anxiety for themselves. How can the quality of life be improved?
The technology is already available: imagine installing sensors under the road surface that collect information if the parking space is free or occupied, and transmit the information via variable message signs (today) distributed around the city, or even directly to the vehicle (tomorrow). The driver viewing the message would go to the area that is currently indicated as having the most spaces available.
Smart Parking and Blockchain
Thanks to blockchain technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), the service to citizens can be further improved. Imagine sending cryptocurrency funds (or digital Euros when and if they are ever created) to a smart contract (nothing more than a software program) that acts as a parking piggy bank. With a sensor in the car park and a sensor on the car, the program can easily determine how long the vehicle has been parked and automatically withdraw as much money from the piggy bank as is needed for parking, again automatically returning any excess money deposited to the sender. In one fell swoop, the anxiety of parking tickets for expired parking spaces, or having to run to renew the ticket would be erased.
This isn’t science fiction! The technology is already available! All we need is will and the time to implement it!
For further information, visit Restart Smart City at the website https://restart.kina.it or send an e-mail to info@restart-progetti.it