In a recent interview with Narendra Lakshmana Gowda, an architect and researcher currently working on a research work Digital Twin for Smart Societies: A Catalyst for Inclusive and Accessible Healthcare, he discussed how smart city technology is building smarter societies by enhancing urban mobility and citizen safety. As urban populations grow, the demand for efficient, responsive, and safer cities is greater than ever. Smart cities are leveraging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and data analytics to meet these demands. Notably, the implementation of smart city technology is having a significant impact on public safety and emergency response, with advanced systems playing increasingly vital roles. This technology is transforming urban living by improving emergency response times and enhancing the performance of public transportation..
Enhancement in the response time and safety of Emergency Vehicles:
Often the most unpleasant aspect of city life are congested roads, not only draining the commuters’ time but also delaying emergency vehicles’ arrival at the scene of an incident. The challenge is being addressed by smart city technology that gives police, fire, and ambulance vehicles the attention they need. Applied Information’s Glance preemption system is among the most remarkable developments in this domain.
4.3 million green traffic lights were automatically activated by the Glance system in 2024, with more than 1.3 million emergency vehicles equipped with this technology making every one of those trips worthwhile. By using this system, emergency vehicles can travel through intersections without interruption, which reduces the need for delays and enables rapid arrival at incident sites.
Data from Applied Information shows that the implementation of this technology in the U.S. saved more than 13,000 hours for emergency vehicles last year. What is the reason behind it? More importantly, there was an average 18% decrease in response times, a very important gain when lives are at stake.’… Fire Chief Tim Milligan from Marietta, Georgia, reflected on the impact of this system, noting that not only does it save time but also creates a safer environment for firefighters and the general public. By halting the arrival of fire apparatuses at intersections, accidents are prevented and incidents like these occur frequently.
Due to the high number of traffic accidents caused by emergency vehicles, this technology is crucial. The number of injuries caused by fire department vehicles in 2023 was 1,450, with 19,225 collisions reported. These accidents are frequently triggered by the need to quickly navigate through traffic. The Glance system not only optimizes response times but also preempts other vehicles by automatically restraining the action of turning green oncoming traffic, which in turn reduces the likelihood of accidents involving emergency vehicles.
Enhancing Public Transport Efficiency:
Public transportation also benefits greatly from smart city technology. Many cities struggle with traffic jams and late arrivals, but advancements in vehicle communications and geo-location technology have prompted many to seek ways to improve public transport services.
Approximately 5.1 million journeys were not affected by unscheduled stops for public transport vehicles using the Glance Transit Signal Priority (TSP) system in 2024, with an average of 9 million per vehicle. The TSP system’s focus on serving passengers at traffic lights helps minimize delays and improve commuting for millions of people.
Also read: 10 Computer Vision Technologies Used in Smart Cities
The implementation of intelligent technology ensures that buses and other transit vehicles operate with dependable on-time, serving as an essential driving force in encouraging people to opt for public transportation instead of private vehicles. Mike Tremblay, the Director of Transit Development at Greater Portland Metro in Portland, Maine emphasized the benefits of using TSP, including Glance Transit Signal Priority, which enhances on-time performance. Cutting unnecessary stops at traffic signals can save fuel, emissions and vehicle maintenance.
While the TSP system uses preemption technology to turn emergency vehicles green, it shortens red light sequences and turns them green for public transit vehicles. Smarter coordination ensures that buses and tramways remain in motion, leading to better city traffic flow and more consistent customer service.
The Future of Smarter Cities:
Real-time data is harnessed by smart cities to improve urban environments through more efficient, sustainable, and responsive citizens. Smart cities are not only about making transportation faster or safer. The integration of geo-location technology into emergency response systems and public transportation networks enables operators to obtain precise information about their vehicle locations at all times. The implementation of this allows for improved accuracy and faster dispatching of emergency services, as well as more dependable public transit schedules.
The global focus on smart infrastructure is expected to drive the increasing adoption of these technologies in cities. The integration of IoT devices and data analytics will enable cities to monitor traffic conditions, adjust signal timings, and improve the efficiency of essential services like public transportation and emergency response.
Rapid response times, reduced accidents, and saved lives are among the benefits that emergency responders can receive. Why? The greener urban environment can be achieved by ensuring that public transport is more punctual and dependable, as well as saving fuel and emissions.
Conclusion
The integration of smart city technology is already having a significant impact on urban safety and mobility. Through these innovations, cities are becoming safer and more efficient places to live, with emergency vehicles accelerating incidents and public transport routes being optimized. Smart infrastructure investment in cities will only enhance the benefits of urban environments, enabling greater use of technology to improve citizens’ lives. The future is bright.
With the right data, connectivity and technology in mind, we are already building a future that is smarter, more connected and more resilient.
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