19.02.20
Sheffield to become Smart City starting with highway overhaul
Sheffield City Council has revealed that they are to become the latest UK Smart City, starting with a technological overhaul of the city’s roads.
The council are planning to have created a digitised public highway network in Sheffield by spring of this year, with thousands of individual wireless sensors communicating with the latest smart technology.
Smart city technology is transforming communities in the UK, with council services being more efficient and convenient for the citizens.
With an Internet of Things (IoT) system, computing devices will be installed in everyday items, allowing smart data to be sent and received. For the highways it will mean that information can be integrated and managed through the platform, reducing respond time for maintenance services and highway improvements.
Real time information will be available to update users on the condition of street assets such as high street bins and grit bins. This will mean that bins will alert you when they are full, as will trees when they need water and roads and streets when there will be icy conditions, through smart sensors.
These notifications will allow maintenance managers to stay ahead of the curve and protect citizens, while making their life easier.
The new system will also cause a reduction in air pollution, as staff will make fewer journeys across the city, and areas with poor air quality can be avoided, so as not to add to the problem.
Cabinet member for Environment, Street Scene and Climate Change at Sheffield City Council, Councillor Mark Jones said:
“This is very much about us working better and smarter towards a greener and cleaner future for Sheffield.
“By investing in this new initiative, our contractors will be undertaking fewer journeys, which in turn will result in a reduction in energy consumption, pollution and congestion, whilst ensuring our streets are kept clean and our bins are emptied using a more efficient and effective approach.
“Using technology in this pioneering way will help the Council in its efforts to tackle the climate crisis, whilst improving standards. Following installation, those who live and work in our city should see a positive impact in their neighbourhoods fairly quickly.
“Sheffield is an ambitious and proud city and where we lead, others will follow.”
Photo: Assistant Head of Highway Maintenance at Sheffield City Council, Richard Bulloss with Cabinet Member, Councillor Mark Jones. Photo credit: Pete Hill