Smart cities are coming—and in some cases they are already here. We continue to see case study after case study of how new technologies, including AI (artificial intelligence), continue to emerge, transforming our connected cities. Let’s consider one of those interesting cities in this column today.
Travel with me through the city of Dubuque, Iowa. The city is using enhanced traffic management, including AI, for city management.
The city of Dubuque, Iowa, wanted to maximize the value of its expansive video network, which included more than 1,300 cameras citywide. While these cameras provided extensive coverage, city officials wanted to go beyond basic monitoring to extract actionable intelligence that could improve traffic management and public safety. City officials knew that with the right data, they could do more for their citizens.
Thus, the city decided to partner with Milestone Systems and Vaidio to implement a smart-traffic insights solution. The city wanted to use its existing investments to a greater extent. Leveraging existing hardware can help minimize the total cost of ownership.
Using existing hardware, the technology can leverage video analytics with traffic signal systems. This enables automated traffic monitoring and incident detection. Now, the city can use this data to make decisions to enhance mobility and efficiency.
The benefits are impressive too. Technology helps to reduce travel times, improve public safety with faster emergency response, increase operational efficiency, and improve the environment by reducing idle times.
But it is the AI analytics technology itself that is adding huge value. Automated anomaly detection helps identify wrong-way vehicles, accidents, and other hazards, allowing for quicker response. Also, leveraging technology can track pedestrians and cyclists, heightening safety. The Dubuque project has also been part of the foundation for Milestone’s Project Hafnia, which was announced together with NVIDIA in March.
This is of course only one example. Many cities all around the world are turning to technology for greater connectivity to make cities safer and more efficient.
A research study from Juniper Research released earlier this month finds the global smart-traffic management market will grow by 37% in the next two years. This is driven by rapid urbanization in emerging markets. With technological advancements, namely AI-powered video analytics, and the falling costs of sensors, Juniper Research expects the smart traffic market to grow significantly between 2027 and 2030.
So, we are only at the beginning. The opportunities for our cities are vast—and we must consider the type of data we can collect and the value it might provide. For the city of Dubuque, Iowa, it was as simple as looking at how to enhance its existing hardware.
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