Many municipalities around the world are exploring the
Smart City concept as a way to make themselves better places to live, work, and
grow.
The market for technologies that feed into and support
Smart City programs and projects will grow on a global basis from $8 billion in
2010 to exceed $39 billion in 2016, accounting for $116 billion in cumulative
spending during that period.
These smart cities
may be installing municipal wireless networks, implementing e-government
initiatives by providing access to city departments and initiatives through
websites, integrating public transportation with intelligent transportation
systems, or developing ways to cut their carbon footprints and reduce the
amount of recyclables consigned to the trash heap.
Certain technologies are in use in most Smart City
projects and programs. These include communication-based technologies, such as
broadband, Wi-Fi, and RFID, while others target improved energy efficiency
through the incorporation of smart meters and the smart grid.
Some municipalities decide to utilize elements of
Intelligent Transportation Systems and Transportation Information Systems, to
maximize transportation efficiency and reduce traffic delays, cutting fuel
waste and carbon emissions,” said Larry Fisher, practice director, ABI Research.
Due to city-by-city project differences, a
one-size-fits-all approach cannot be applied to Smart Cities. In the long term,
the adoption of open standards will be of paramount importance as the basis for
technology choices underpinning any Smart City development,” Fisher added.
By Telecomlead.com Team
editor@telecomlead.com
