Skip to main content

Smart city traffic systems ‘to reduce congestion by 2019’

A new report from Juniper Research forecasts that smart city traffic management and parking projects will reduce cumulative global emissions in the order of 164 million metric tonnes of CO2 between 2014 and 2019 - equivalent to the annual emissions produced by 35 million vehicles. Not only will this benefit the environment, but it will also significantly impact the quality of city dwellers' lives, with some 700 million automobiles projected to be on city roads by 2019. The report, Smart Cities: Strategie
January 14, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
A new report from 7194 Juniper Research forecasts that smart city traffic management and parking projects will reduce cumulative global emissions in the order of 164 million metric tonnes of CO2 between 2014 and 2019 - equivalent to the annual emissions produced by 35 million vehicles. Not only will this benefit the environment, but it will also significantly impact the quality of city dwellers' lives, with some 700 million automobiles projected to be on city roads by 2019.

The report, Smart Cities: Strategies, Energy, Emissions & Cost Savings 2014-2019, found that high levels of city traffic congestion combined with advances in Internet of Things sensors and software solutions has driven plans to reduce high traffic levels through smart initiatives.

The report argues that the establishment of a sensor-networked and monitored city communications infrastructure, efficiently phasing traffic lights, and providing real-time guidance to drivers, can aid significantly in reducing congestion. Furthermore, digitally monitored parking spaces able to dynamically alter prices according to available spaces help control time spent cruising for parking.

Additionally, the report found that while purpose-built smart cities, such as Masdar in Abu Dhabi and Songdo in South Korea, can be considered a technological success, the benefits have not yet been fully realised owing to lack of citizen participation.

"Cooperation between all parties, as we have seen in Amsterdam for example, is essential" added report author Steffen Sorrell. "Furthermore, cities need standards and open data to avoid information roadblocks."

Other key findings include the fact that smart grids will dramatically reduce energy consumption in cities through rapid smart meter deployment and intelligent distribution automation. In addition, smart street lighting is also expected to produce significant cost savings, aided by the fall in LED fixture costs. Smart networked control systems will further add value.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Reducing fuel consumption and CO2 with vehicle tracking
    February 6, 2013
    Satellite vehicle tracking technology from Isotrak is helping Skanska UK’s utilities business save on fuel and reduce emissions. Using the real-time system to track the company’s mobile workforce on the road enables efficient vehicle management and provides detailed reporting on individual driving styles for each driver. This has enabled the company to manage its fleet and drivers better by helping them to comply with its environmental policy and duty of care programme. According to Isotrak, the solution c
  • Global smart railways system - increased adoption of analytics and big data
    March 30, 2015
    The Global Smart Railway System market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 26.76 per cent over the period 2014-2019, according to Research and Markets’ latest report, Global Smart Railways System Market 2015-2019. The report has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. It covers the APAC region, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America; it covers the Global Smart Railway System market landscape and its growth prospects in the coming years and inclu
  • Integrating traffic systems improves management and control
    April 25, 2012
    Following a successful trial in 2007, VicRoads has adopted Streams Motorway Management from Transmax as its primary traffic management and control system Throughout the world, the avoidable social cost of traffic congestion continues to rise each year with increased motorisation, urbanisation and population growth. Traffic congestion is responsible for an increase in travel times, vehicle operating costs and carbon emissions. In 2007, VicRoads commissioned Streams Motorway Management for the M1 Monash Freew
  • Smartphone - the next technology for charging and tolling?
    January 25, 2012
    With all the debates over the most suitable future technology or technologies for charging and tolling, is it not time for the industry to look at what the rest of ITS is doing and bring a rank outsider - the smart phone - closer into the fold? By Jack Opiola, D'Artagnan Consulting LLC