How a city can be smart: the future of urban entities
The idea that the IoT heralds a new era for people and technology is far beyond theory. With Sigfox technology, smart cities present some of the most impressive demonstrations of the potential of the Internet of Things. You have imagined a city that can collect data based on the behaviour of its residents and its infrastructure, analyze this data and use it to optimize usage. SIGFOX offers the possibility for all sectors of activity, industry, energy, housing, transport, and commerce to acquire connected intelligence. The data from various sensors scattered in urban furniture (traffic signs - street lamps - bus shelters, car parks, bridges, and public works, etc.), shops and factories, are, after processing, made available to the population or to the competent services. Thus, the intelligence of the smart city is very collaborative but must also be resilient and preventive.
Our solutions
A smart city is a municipality that uses information and communication technologies (ICT) to increase its operational efficiency, share data and information with the public, with the aim of improving both quality of municipal services and the well-being of its citizens.
Remote monitoring of the fill rate of waste bins
Reduced cost of rubbish collection
Reduced environmental impact
Location of available parking spaces
Monitoring of air quality
Fire hydrants: real-time monitoring of potential problems
Improved customer satisfaction
Remote monitoring and maintenance of lighting
Collaborative city
Synchronization between the various city services guarantees optimal operation of public and private services.
As in French cities such as Nantes, Lille or Lyon, collaboration is also necessary on the scale of all the data collected.
Through an open data platform, the city makes available in a transparent manner a set of collected and processed data (data with a practical purpose), which can be used by the various actors of the city, citizens, professionals, or companies.
Resilient and preventive city
Improving the quality of life of inhabitants by satisfying their immediate needs and anticipating environmental and socio-economic risks or hazards. It can be assessed at multiple levels and allows for a very concrete awareness of the vulnerability and weak points or risk factors of the city in order to guarantee the balance necessary to preserve the quality of life of citizens.
- Floods (data obtained on the level of rivers and their condition).
- Lack of resources (water, energy)
- Accidents and collapse.
Example of Danish cities :
Sigfox has placed IoT devices connected to its 0G network enabling Danish cities to monitor quality of life data: from detecting faults in buildings to tracking rubbish collection. Thus, occupancy data can be used to monitor and adjust several elements related to the use of space.
Management of public space
Location of available parking spaces
For car park operators, it is important to know how busy the car parks are.
Optimizing parking spaces also helps to reduce air pollution, as drivers can quickly find a free parking space. This is important during the organization of large events and also at peak times.
Monitoring is done remotely and automatically for 24/7 surveillance.
Simplify parking permits
Municipal authorities must periodically close streets, re-route traffic and inform the public of roadworks. Connected signage can simplify the process by displaying the days and times when parking is permitted on electronic ink digital displays that can be updated remotely using Sigfox downlink connectivity.
The signs can also detect impact or movement, triggering alerts to local police or other relevant authorities in the event of a violation.
Public services
Improving food storage management
Monitoring the temperature of food is crucial for facilities that provide meals to school children or patients.
IoT solutions can help ensure compliance with food safety procedures by accurately monitoring the temperature of food storage facilities.
The temperature monitoring device sends an alert of abnormal temperature levels so that staff can act in real time to restore normal temperature, preventing microbial contamination and food waste.
Monitor employee presence remotely
Clocks connected to the Internet via the Sigfox global IoT network allow employers to monitor the presence of workers at remote job sites.
Forget the hassle of SIM cards to track the whereabouts of employees with constant, real-time connected monitoring.
Ensure defibrillators are ready for use
Cardiac defibrillators are often available in most public buildings and workplaces. They must be fully functional in order to save lives.
Connected defibrillators send data via the Sigfox network, including daily test results, battery tests, door openings and operating status, to ensure they are working properly.
Collect consumption data effortlessly: WATER - GAS – ELECTRICITY
No more manual reading of water, gas and electricity meters on site. With the SIGFOX 0G network, remote reading of water, electricity and gas meters is now automatic.
You can now monitor and optimize your remote resources in real time, detecting problems such as leaks and outages. Service companies can also automate billing and remotely activate and deactivate services.
IoT enabled meters can transmit data immediately over the public Sigfox network with no pairing or configuration required and no need to replace or recharge batteries for several years.
Fire hydrants : real-time monitoring
Receive real-time alerts when hydrants are used and how much water is used, with IoT-enabled pressure sensors.
Install an accelerometer sensor to send instant alerts in the event of a hydrant failure, fraud, leak or malfunction.
Making schools safer
Connecting road signs in school zones is an excellent way to improve safety in front of schools. IoT-enabled signs provide real-time information on their operating conditions.
Monitoring user satisfaction
User feedback is essential for improving public services and increasing satisfaction. It's even better when you can get that feedback in real time immediately after the experience. Customizable and connected, install a dashboard or button to effortlessly collect user feedback, using color coding to trigger instant responses when customers leave utility buildings. The data is then available in the cloud for viewing and processing. Alerts based on specific thresholds or outcomes can also be triggered for faster response.
Environment
Sigfox-enabled sensors are easy to install and so cheap to operate that an entire city can be covered, making it possible to track dozens of measurements such as humidity, temperature, air quality, etc. Some cities have installed sensors on mobile locations such as trams and buses to collect even more data throughout the day. With increased data availability, it is easy to create real-time interactive mapping of air pollution and improve pollution forecasting through machine learning.
Remote monitoring of water facilities
IoT sensors provide crucial data on critical water infrastructure conditions to help prevent malfunctions and flooding and to increase maintenance team productivity. Remotely monitoring water level, pressure, turbidity, pH, salinity, redox and flow allows you to prevent overflows, track drinking water supply and monitor wastewater network and treatment operations.
Waste management
Of all the public services facing pressure from overpopulation, waste management suffers the most. More populations mean more waste, which means local authorities and waste management companies must hire more staff and increase the number of routes to collect waste. By adopting IoT technology into waste management practices, public and private organizations can deliver a more intelligent, efficient and effective service that can improve return on investment and reduce environmental impact. By using waste monitoring sensors connected to the SIGFOX network, waste management companies can optimize the cost of waste collection, plan routes to collect only full containers, use the data to improve visibility and deliver a better quality of service to their customers.
Management of public and private infrastructure
Remote monitoring and maintenance of public lighting networks
This can be done in a timely manner instead of carrying out routine maintenance checks. Install IoT-enabled light intensity sensors to control light intensity at any time to save energy.
Monitoring the integrity of concrete structures
Detect damage to buildings and engineered structures by measuring cracks, extensions, or strain gauges on key structural elements with IoT-enabled monitoring sensors. Proactively prevent major building damage through predictive maintenance and planned improvements.
Coverage
SACONECT is strongly committed to deliver a reliable and high-quality network to meet the needs of its users and partners for IoT solutions.
In one year of intensive ramp-up, SACONECT has achieved the vast majority of population coverage in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Ghana.
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