City infrastructure and the Internet of Everything

Everything will soon be connected by the Internet. The Internet will be everywhere in industrialized nations, so now it is up to people to develop new ideas to apply this technology, including for the efficient operation of our cities.  

There is no question that many taxpayer dollars are wasted upon resources that are not being used.  Municipal lighting that remains on all night regardless if anyone is using it is an example of the waste that happens in cities every day.

Money can be saved with Internet-connected systems.  More efficient cities result in millions of dollars of savings.  Systems that communicate via the Internet will know when to shut down and when not to shut down.  Expert systems will be able to predict peak times and make adjustments accordingly.

Barcelona is a flagship of the SMART city of the future.  Already, by integrating technology and city infrastructure, they have been able to move to generate 47,000 more jobs and reduce costs.  For example, they already have integrated sensors in trashcans so that trash pickups are scheduled when bins are at capacity and not on a particular day. This improvement in the collection of waste and recyclables will certainly change that way people think about urban reverse logistics.

Barcelona is working to allow more shared information about traffic and parking spots in the city.  This improvement will help guide people to be able to park in the city, reducing traffic and improving efficiency for commuters.  The resulting reduction in pollution makes the city a more welcoming place to live.

Learn more by viewing Barcelona’s YouTube video explaining where this city is taking the concept.