Transportation is important for every city and helps people or goods to get from point A to B. But because of the high demand, it currently also has a high impact on the climate. In the US, transportation takes up to 29% of its total greenhouse gas emissions. In order to solve this issue there are several technologies that show the positive impact of smart cities on the environment.
Real-time traffic control is able to collect data from sensors that are placed all throughout the city. This information then gets analyzed by an AI (Artificial Intelligence), which can detect patterns and levels of demand to regulate the flow of cars, scooters, busses and any other mode of transportation. In addition, cameras or sensors can be placed near parking spots to detect and inform a person who is trying to park their car if a place is free. Altogether, it will be able to reduce traffic jams and lower the emission of exhaust gases.
Another innovative solution that has already found acceptance in many smart cities, is shared mobility. Here, the provider of the service is renting out cars, bikes and scooters for a short amount of time. This encourages people to use these modes of transportation instead of buying their own vehicle, which in the end reduces the impact traffic has on the environment.
Many smart cities are also promoting the use of public transport by giving incentives on ticket prices or investing heavily in infrastructure. This results in less traffic on the road and also less pollution. Recent times have shown that the amount can be reduced even further by encouraging businesses to let their employees work from home.