IoT Driving Forward Smart City Innovations

Smart cities are no longer a futuristic concept. Smart city projects are underway in cities across the globe as municipalities are investing in technology to improve city services and infrastructure, enhancing quality of life for their citizens.

The UN forecasts that

With the number of smart cities increasing, IoT technology is a key driver in the growth and development of these cities. According to Research Reports Inc., IoT in the smart city market is expected to grow from

From air quality monitoring and connected fire hydrants, to smart trash dumpsters and water quality monitoring, IoT is being integrated into municipal strategy. These solutions are a cost-effective way for connecting devices and services to collect data to more efficiently manage processes and resources.

Improved data collection for better air quality monitoring

Cities are using easy-to-install, affordable sensors to track metrics including humidity, temperature, air quality and more. Some cities have installed these sensors on moving locations such as trams and buses to collect even more data throughout the day. This will allow cities to build interactive, real-time mapping of air pollution and improve pollution prediction.

Fire hydrants: monitoring potential issues in real-time

IoT-enabled pressure sensors are also being used in cities to receive real-time alerts when fire hydrants are in use and obtain data on how much water was pumped. Cities are also using accelerometer sensors to receive alerts instantly if a hydrant is broken, leaking or malfunctioning. They are also installing temperature monitors to help prevent cold weather damage to a hydrant in inclement and wintery conditions.

Optimized refuse collection routes with connected dumpsters

Cities are optimizing collection routes with low-power connected ultrasonic sensors that indicate the level of waste in dumpsters. Providing valuable data about dumpster usage, emptying cycles and more, these sensors are helping cities consolidate routes to save time, energy, and money.

Remote monitoring of water facilities

IoT sensors are providing municipalities with crucial data on important water infrastructure conditions to help prevent malfunctions and flooding, as well as increase maintenance crew efficiency. Monitoring the level, pressure, turbidity, Ph, salinity, ORP and flow of water remotely is helping cities prevent overflows, track drinking water supply and monitor waste water network and treatment operations.

These are just some of the ways IoT technology is driving forward innovation in smart cities, seamlessly collecting and transmitting data that can help municipalities maintain and manage infrastructure, enhance resident safety, streamline services, cut costs and improve the quality of life for citizens.

IoT technology, powered by Sigfox’s network, will help make cities of all sizes smarter. A reliable world-wide network dedicated entirely to the internet of things, Sigfox’s cutting edge technology affordably connects operations citywide.